Outline Example

Indents (tabs) don't show up on the blog, so I've written out how many times each section should be indented.

A classic outline looks like this:
I (Roman numeral): MAIN Idea (Vehicle)
A (Indent then CAPITAL letter): Subordinate Idea
1 (Indent twice then Arabic number): Supporting Detail
a (Indent three times then lower case letter): Example
i (Indent 4 times then lower case Roman numerals): Precise Detail

A Sample Outline

Thesis: Although the Global Depression of the 1930s was a major and immediate cause of the rise of totalitarian regimes in Italy, Germany and Japan, the blame for the outbreak of WWII lies with the Treaty of Versailles in its overly harsh economic consequences for Germany and in the treaty’s blatant disregard for true self-determination of nations.

The Treaty of Versailles disregarded national self-determination

[This section would be fully written out]

II. Germany was economically depleted by the Versailles Peace Treaty
A. Territorial losses [indent once]
E1. x% of land lost to Poland (Johnson 712) - “Germany had lost twenty-seven percent of its hard coal production in the shift of territory to Poland” (Smitha) [indent twice]
A1. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

E2. East Prussia separated from rest of Germany by Polish Corridor [indent twice]
A2. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

E3. Saarland’s natural resources to France and Belgium—output of x-tons of coal lost to France (Johnson 722) [indent twice]
A3. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

B. Reparations - War payments undermined Germany’s ability to stabilize its economy [indent once]
E1. Versailles Treaty Article 12 made Germany pay 33 million marks to Great Britain, Belgium and France [indent twice]
A1. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

E2. War ravaged Germany could barely feed its own people, let alone make huge war payments to its former enemies [indent twice]
A2. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

E3. To make payments, Germany printed more money; caused inflation [indent twice]
A3. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

C. Trade [indent once]
E1. Germany could import goods (that weren’t weapons or other war materials) but could not export anything [indent twice]
A1. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

E2. Severe restrictions placed on the amount of tax Germany could levy on imports from the Allies and other powers (Treaty of Versailles) [indent twice]
A2. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]

E3. Inability to export means that Germany can’t make any money off of trade (Jones 23) [indent twice]
A3. Show HOW the above evidence proves that the Treaty of Versailles is responsible for the outbreak of WWII (for this is your argument!) [indent twice]



Another example is on its way.

-- Ms. B