Outline Instructions

Outlines follow this format.

I) Central theme or most important concept -- often the title of section.

A) Secondary theme or concept – often the second-largest type and/or the headline of a section of text

1) Specific concept and important detail – Often words that are bolded within the text of the current paragraph

a) Most specific details within the paragraph related to the idea directly above – Often key individuals and events that more fully explain the larger themes and concepts

The outline does not need to follow an exact descending order. For example after I) could have been an “a”. This depends on how specific/important the material is.

It is likely you will have more than one idea/concept of equal importance next to each other. So some outlines may look like this:

I) Recreational interests of history teachers at Lake Oswego High School.

            A) Mr. Moore

                        1) Enjoys sports

                                    a) Avid fan of Basketball

                                    b) JV basketball coach

                        2) Enjoys talking

                                    a) Persuasive and charismatic when he speaks

                                    b) Poetic soul but the heart of a warrior

            B) Mr. Censoni

                        1) Enjoys sports

                                    a) Enjoys watching Hockey

                        2) Enjoys listening to music

                                    b) Bob Marley and the Wailers

            C) Mr. Koepping

                        1) Enjoys computer games

                                    a) Knights of the Old Republic

                                    b) Elder Scrolls: Morrowind

                        2) Fan of Government and politics

a)      C-Span

b)      C-Span II

Note the progression of general theme to specific detail. An outline should show that you understand the relationship between general concepts and specific details in terms of their importance. 

Here is an example of an outline from the Government textbook. Chapter 1, section 1.

I) Principles of Government

1)      Basic questions about the role of government

a)      What is the proper function of government?

b)      What form of government serves best?

c)      Where and why did government originate

            A) The state

                        1) Aristotle

                                    a) Ancient Greek scholar of politics

                        2) State

                                    a) Political community that occupies a definite territory

                                    b) Has an organized government

                                    c) Has the power to make and enforce laws.

                        4) Nation

                                    a) Any large group of people bound by particular traits

                                    b) Traits can include race, language, custom, tradition and religion.

                        5) Nation-State

                                    a) A country that is both a nation and state.

B) Essential Features of a State.

            1) Population

                        a) People are most important essential ingredient for a state.

b) Consensus- agreement of basic beliefs. Needed to produce the most stable governments.

c) Movements of the population often result in political change. Such as East to West or rural to urban.

2) Territory

a) States have established boundaries

b) The shaping of boundaries often results in conflict, war or diplomacy.

3) Sovereignty

a) Political Sovereignty – A state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries.

b) In theory every nation-state is equal, however states with great economic and military might may have more power over other states.

4) Government

a) Institution in which a state provides social order, public services, and enforces decisions that are binding on all people within the country