Identify your topic . Put the topic in your own words to show your individual understanding. Figure out your main points. What are the main ideas you want to convey or need to convince your audience? Arrange your main points in a logical order and list them in the outline. Evaluate your outline. Look over what you have written. Does it make logical sense? Is each point suitably fleshed out? Is there anything unnecessary?

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER(OCD)

Creating an Outline

1. Identify your topic . Put the topic in your own words to show your individual understanding. Try to stick with a single sentence or phrase, as this will help make sure you stay on topic.

2. Figure out your main points. What are the main ideas you want to convey or need to convince your audience? These points usually answer the questions “why or how is the main topic important and right?” Together with your topic, these points should help you arrive at a working thesis.

3. Arrange your main points in a logical order and list them in the outline. This order can of course be changed later as you evaluate your outline.

4. Create sub-points beneath each major idea. By convention, each time you have a new number or letter, there need to be at least two points (i.e. if you have an A, you need a B; if you have a 1, you need a 2; etc.). Though perhaps frustrating at first, it is indeed useful because it forces you to think hard about each point; if you can’t create two points, then reconsider including the first in your paper, as it may be extraneous information that may detract from your argument.

5. Evaluate your outline. Look over what you have written. Does it make logical sense? Is each point suitably fleshed out? Is there anything unnecessary?