Outline

 considered as a plan for writing; a summary that gives

the essential feature of a text
 shows how the parts of a text are related to one
another as parts that are of equal importance, or sections
that are subordinate to the main idea

Types of Outline
Alphanumeric Outline

This is the most common type of outline and usually

instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting
follows these characters, in this order:
•             Roman Numerals
•             Capitalized Letters
•             Arabic Numerals
•             Lowercase Letters
Decimal Outline

Similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added

benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows
how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole.

Example:

Alphanumeric Outline Decimal Outline

I. Main Topic A 1. Main Topic A

       A. Subtopic A
       B. Subtopic B
       C. Subtopic C
II. Main Topic B
       A. Subtopic A
              1. Supporting Details for Subtopic A
                      a. Other Details for Supporting Detail 1
                      b. Other Details for Supporting Detail 1
              2. Supporting Details for Subtopic A
       B.  Subtopic B
              1. Supporting Details for Subtopic B
              2. Supporting Details for Subtopic B
                      a. Other Details for Supporting Detail 2
                      b. Other Details for Supporting Detail 2
      C.  Subtopic C
              1. Supporting Details for Subtopic C
              2. Supporting Details for Subtopic C
III. Main Topic C
       A. Subtopic A
       1.1 Subtopic A
       1.2 Subtopic B
       1.3 Subtopic C
2. Main Topic B
       2.1 Subtopic A
              2.1.1 Supporting Details for Subtopic A
                      2.1.1.1 Other Details for Supporting Detail 1
                      2.2.1.2 Other Details for Supporting Detail 1
              2.1.2 Supporting Details for Subtopic A
       2.2 Subtopic B
              2.2.1 Supporting Details for Subtopic B
              2.2.2 Supporting Details for Subtopic B
                      2.2.2.1 Other Details for Supporting Detail 2
                      2.2.2.2 Other Details for Supporting Detail 2
      2.3 Subtopic C
              2.3.1 Supporting Details for Subtopic C
              2.3.2 Supporting Details for Subtopic C
3. Main Topic C
       3.1 Subtopic A
       B. Subtopic B        3.2 Subtopic B
       C. Subtopic C        3.3 Subtopic C
   

Full Sentence Outline

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as

the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title
suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of
the outline. This outline is most often used when
preparing a traditional essay.

Kinds of Outline According to Format

Topic Outline

A topic outline uses words and phrases as its entries. Generally, a

topic outline is used if the ideas being discussed can be arranged in a
number of ways. 
Example: 

Alphanumeric Outline Decimal Outline

I. Positive effects of uniform policy 1. Positive effects of uniform policy

       A. Promotes school identity
       B. Improves school security
II. Negative effects of uniform policy
       A. Inhibits learning
       B. Curtails Individuality
       1.1 Promotes school identity
       1.2 Improves school security
2. Negative effects of uniform policy
       2.1 Inhibits learning
       2.2 Curtails Individuality

Sentence Outline
A sentence outline uses complete sentences as its entries. You use a
sentence outline when the topic being discussed is complicated and
requires details. 
Example:
I. Students should not be mandated to wear uniforms because wearing a uniform does not improve behavior
    nor does it facilitate learning.
 
II. Wearing a uniform does not. improve behavior.
          A.Van der Laan confirms that wearing a uniform does not have direct positive impact on behavior.
          B. Dr. Wallin confirms that the perceived positive impact of uniforms on students’ behavior is just a
               halo effect.
 
III. Wearing a uniform does not facilitate learning.
          A. A study by Seamon (1995) shows that there is a Weak connection between academic performance  
               and uniform policy.
          B. Dr. Badger (2008) claims that a standardized uniform policy does not improve school performance.  
          C. Dr. Brunsma (2006) confirms that there is no positive correlation between wearing a uniform and
               academic achievement.
 
IV. On top of being insensitive to the individuality of students, implementing a uniform policy does not have
       useful advantages as well, as it does not present sufficient evidence that links it to positive influence on
       students' behavior and academic performance.