Step 5: Preliminary Outline

Step 5: Creating a Preliminary Outline

• Presentation Format: Use Times New Roman 12 point font

Double-space

Page number in small Roman numerals (i, ii, etc)

• Outline Format: Main points use Roman numerals, Secondary points use capital letters,

Next use numbers, etc. (Period after each symbol)

For every A, there must be a B

Indent sub-points

Capitalize the first word of each line

Use phrases, not sentences

• Order: Follow your preliminary thesis statement and fill in supporting points with what you know or believe about your topic so far. This skeleton of an outline will give your research purpose. **This document will be revised during research.

Sample Preliminary Outline:

Thesis:

I. First Reason

A. First Supporting Point

B. Second Supporting Point

C. Third Supporting Point

II. Second Reason

A. First Supporting Point

B. Second Supporting Point

C. Third Supporting Point

III. Third Reason

A. First Supporting Point

B. Second Supporting Point

C. Third Supporting Point

Target Useful Information

By this time, students should have printed a variety of articles on their chosen topic. The task is now to read and highlight, with annotations in the margin, with the purpose of targeting useful information to fully develop their outlines and write their papers.

**Look for examples, facts, statistics, details, and quotations that support the thesis.

Tips for effective research reading

1. Collect and staple each of your printed articles, making sure you have the full text and a source on the page.
2. Before reading each article, number each paragraph.
3. Select a different highlighter for each of your thesis points and refutation (4 colors).
4. As you read, highlight any details that would support your thesis reasons or refutation, and mark in the appropriate color.
5. Add notations in the margin for further clarification.
6. Refer back to your preliminary outline; revise as needed