Types of Outlines: Written vs. Visual
The two most common ways of creating an outline are a flowchart or a Roman numeral outline. These two outlines appeal to different students, based on their learning style. Some students find visuals to be more helpful; however, some may find this method to be distracting. As a teacher, it's important to introduce both styles of outlining and be open to other student suggestions. For instance, some students might prefer creating a timeline, instead of a flowchart. It's important to stress the function of an outline, opposed to the aesthetics behind them. Outlines don't have to be visually appealing; instead, their function is to organize and develop thoughts. Below I have provided two images that can serve as models for student outlines. The first image displays the organization of a Roman numeral outline. The second image shows a flowchart outline. Both images incorporate the same ideas necessary for a functional outline; however, students may have a preference between these two basic forms. Also, these two images are not the only forms that an outline may be organized into, they are just examples. Outlines can be produced in many different forms, depending on the student's preference.