At some point in essay writing you will have to come up with an outline. Once you finish your research, you need an outline to serve as your blue print. An outline will help you to brainstorm structure and define arguments and findings you have collected from your research. You therefore do not have a choice; an outline must be developed at some point. There are different formatting styles you can use when writing an outline. Let us look at one of the most recommended and perhaps the simplest.
APA outline format
When writing an APA outline, the main topics in a project are defined by roman numerals. The second section of sub-topics is specified with capital letters. The third level topics in the second level subject matters are denoted with Arabic numerals. The last is the fourth level topics written in lower case. An APA paper outline may consist of up to four topic levels but it is not mandatory. What is important is that each section should have at least two headings.
APA style outline
To make your outline perfect, here are some tips that will help you.
Consistency
Consistency is a characteristic that when used makes a difficult writing task simpler.hen making your outlines, ensure you maintain consistency throughout. Construct your sub headings the same way you constructed your headings. For instance, if you begin with a verb, maintain uniformity all the way to the sub headings.
Coordination
Ensure your information in all the sections has equal significance. This will help to make your outline as effective as possible.
Subordination
Your headings should be based on the general views. Your subheadings on the other hand should be more specific. Therefore your headings should contain a more general topic with specific subheadings accompanying.
Division
An outline is not a full paged paper like an essay. An outline has its own unique style and structure. Use of division is what distinguishes it from an ordinary academic essay paper. Divide your heading in such a way that it has two parts or even more. What is important is that you use division.
Types of outline
We have a full sentence outline format and a decimal outline format. All of them are currently used, it just depends which one you are instructed to use.
Here is a sentence APA style outline format
High rate of unemployment is the global cause of increase in drug abuse
Bhang is widely recognized to be the most taken drug and very harmful
Sniffing of bhang is the most dangerous means of intake
Decimal APA outline format
Prepare College Application
A. Write Personal Statement
1. Choose interesting topic
a. describe an influential person in your life
football coach
grandparent
An outline will be required when instructed to write a paper for a college course. There is no way you will escape. What you need to do is look at many examples and consult your professor. Search for the official APA manual for outlining and be sure of the structure.