Creating an Outline Creating an Outline There are two basic types of outlines, a topic outline and a formal outline. A topic outline should be used if the logical relationships between your ideas seem fully established. A formal outline should be used for careful evaluation of your ideas and their relationships to each other.
Most formal outlines use the conventional format of numbered and lettered headings and subheadings.
Roman numerals, capital letters and lowercase letters show the levels of importance of your ideas and their relationships. Each new level is indented to show its subordination to the level before. Each level should line up evenly with the other points in that same level. Two parts must be included to each level. Therefore, there is no A without a B, no 1 without a 2.