How to Write an Outline With Roman Numerals

An outline is like a skeleton for your paper; it lets you structure your paper and put your ideas down before you begin writing complete sentences and adding depth and dimension to your work (such as impressive thoughts within sentences, text evidence, detailed examples, complex sentences, etc.)

An outline has Roman Numerals (I, II, etc.) to show your different paragraphs, and letters (A., B., C., etc) to show your details and support within those paragraphs.  

The only complete sentences that should appear in your outline are (1) your thesis/claim statement and (2) the topic sentence (first sentence) of each body paragraph.

Here is a sample of how an outline of a 4-paragraph essay would look:

1. Introduction.  This includes a “hook” and your thesis statement (the point of your essay).  Your “hook” comes first, and your thesis statement is the last sentence of your introduction.
2. Body Paragraph 1.  The first sentence is your topic sentence, which states the point of this paragraph. It needs to be relevant to your thesis statement.

1. Details, text evidence, and support to explain topic sentence
2. Details, text evidence, and support to explain topic sentence

3. Body Paragraph 2.  The first sentence is your topic sentence, which states the point of this paragraph. It needs to be relevant to your thesis statement.

1. Details, text evidence, and support to explain topic sentence
2. Details, text evidence, and support to explain topic sentence

4. Conclusion. Restate your thesis without simply copying it from your introduction, and then tie up your paper with a provoking, closing thought (link it back to something from your “hook” in your intro).  Do not introduce any new information in your conclusion.

Reminder: If your essay includes sources and text evidence, you need to have a Works Cited in MLA format at the end of your paper.