The first is a comprehensive outline, which combines the information gleaned from the casebook, class notes, hornbooks, study aids, and other supplemental materials. The second type, the keynote, outlines the basic ideas or areas of the law, with a few references to relevant cases. Each type has its advantages and pitfalls. If permitted in the examination room, it can also hinder the student by its very bulk. Avoid Mr. Bell's 200-page Property outline from the movie Paper Chase.
Many students prefer to write their own outlines.
Because of the amount of time required to write four good outlines, study groups often form, with their members outlining a particular course. First, be certain what type of outline group members will write, and adjust your study time accordingly. A comprehensive outline requires intimate familiarization with its contents to be of use both when studying and especially during an exam. A keynote outline demands sufficient preparation and possible supplementation with additional case names, notes, or whatever information is needed to serve you best. Second, outlines should be ready two weeks prior to the examination and, at the latest, on the last day of classes.