Developing a Detailed Outline

Outlines effectively reduce and order your source materials. An outline will force you to

partition material

develop a point of view

establish the scope of your document

sequence your topics

develop a writing strategy

The same outline can be used to generate feedback, serve as a writing aid, and provide the subject headings of your paper.

Work out a general plan first, and then make the outline more specific.

The following is an outline of a research article.

General	Specific
Problem	Description of quake
Background	Prediction model
Method	Ground water variables, flow rate, radon
Results	Flow rate Before quake After quake
	Radon content Before quake After quake
Analysis	Comparison with other recent quakes Possible mechanisms of change Fissure widening from regional tectonic stress Permeability from increased microcracking

--H. Wakita and U. Tsunogai, "Precursory Chemical Changes in Ground Water, Kobe Earthquake," Science

## Developing a Detailed Outline ##