outline

An outline is a planning tool that presents the main ideas of a document, speech, or project and shows the order in which they will be developed. It helps organize content and serves as a concise guide that can be expanded into a full text. The term can also refer to the outer boundary or silhouette of an object, such as a coastline, a geographic feature, or a figure.

In writing, outlines are usually hierarchical, with a central thesis or purpose, followed by supporting points and subpoints. The two common formats are topic outlines, which use short phrases, and sentence outlines, which use full sentences for each point. Outlines typically use levels to show relationships, often marked with numbers or letters (I, II, A, B).

Uses and benefits include clarifying structure, improving coherence, and aiding memory; they facilitate revision and serve as a blueprint during drafting and editing. Outline steps commonly involve listing main ideas, arranging them logically, and then expanding into complete sentences and paragraphs. A reverse outline, created after a draft, can help assess flow and identify gaps or redundancies.

Beyond writing, outlining appears in planning presentations, research proposals, and in cartography or design to describe the visible boundary of a shape or area. In all contexts, an outline provides a skeletal view of content or form, emphasizing structure over finished detail.