The Preparation Outline

Outlines aren't just for speeches; as I've come to learn they're a great way to organize how to write a paper and I will actually be using my professor (Even L. Evan)'s brilliant syllabus to show you how to create a detailed outline to write your best paper yet, or to create the perfect speech so I'll be going word for word off what my professor wrote from "THE OUTLINE" on so keep that in mind. Also note that I'll only give 2 supports for each supporting point for each main idea but don't feel you have to stop at 2. I only am because it's too much unnecessary work otherwise. Remember: the more support you can offer the better so long as it's relevant. Also keep each point down to a range of 3-6 words aside from transitions, introductions, and the central idea. (Granted this is only for speeches. If your doing this for a paper you can ignore this rule.)

THE OUTLINE:
(make your outline look like this)

General purpose:
Specific purpose:

Central Idea:
    I. Introduction:

Write your transition to the next paragraph here
   
    II. First main idea (aka first major point)

        A. Your first supporting point of the first main point
            1. Support for this statement
            2. More support for this statement
     
  A transition is needed here

        B. Your second supporting point for the first main point
            1. Support for this statement
            2. More support for this statement

        C. Your third supporting point for the first main point (You don't need a "C" but if you have one great. But you DO need a "B".)
            1. Support for this statement
            2. More support for this statement

Transition needed here

    III. Second main idea (aka second major point)
        A. First supporting point of second main point
        B. 2nd supporting point
            1. Support for this statement
            2. Support for this statement
        C. 3rd supporting point

Transition needed here

    IV. Third main idea (aka your third major point)
        A.  First supporting point to your third major point
            1. Support for your first supporting point to your third major point
            2. Supports your first supporting point to your third major point
        B. Second supporting point to your third major point
        C. etc

Transition to your closing comes here. Prepare your audience for a closing summation

    V. Summary:
    VI. Conclusion

Note: the order of points should go II, A, 1, a, i. In other words to spell this out: roman numeral for main idea/major point, capitol letter for supporting point, a numeral for your supporting point to your major point, an lower case letter for support for your numeral point, and the roman numeral/lower case letter "i" for an example to support your lower case letter

END.

To see a full example of this refer to my page (not post) "A Speech on Pandas". This was my first preparation outline I had to do for my speech class and my professor was very pleased, said it was done absolutely right, hence the reason I'll be posting it as an example. I'll then show you how to transform this into an essay.