How to Format an MLA Outline Page

MLA Outline Pages with Formatically

First, you'll need to set up your Formatically account. When you're done,  you'll be able to format outline pages in just one click. Start by opening a new document and scrolling to section that says "do you need any other pages?". Click the last option to include a free formatted outline page with your download.

WARNING: You will need a premium account to download your outline page. If you don't have or don't want a premium account you can follow the steps outlined below to set up your outline page in Word, or Google Docs.

How to Format an MLA Outline Page

Do you need to format you paper’s outline page in MLA Format but don’t know how? No problem! Here are a few quick and easy steps to get you going.

Part One- Page Set-up

1. To start, you will need to open a new word document specifically for your outline. First of all, the header you need for your outline will be different than the header used for rest of the paper. 
2. Start the outline by including the lowercase Roman numeral “i” as a page number on the top-right corner of each page after the first page of your report, ending when your essay begins.
3. Your title needs to be centered. The word outline is the title.
4. Then write the thesis statement directly below it and to the left, and label it as such. Hit Enter once, and this is where you start your outline. Your thesis should be one to two sentences long.

Part Two- The Proper Hierarchy

You’re halfway there.

This part is what seems confusing at first, but it’s actually pretty simple to do. Your outline should be a multilevel list, which just means that it’s a mix of numbers and letters, should your outline need it. The thing to remember, though, is which letters and numbers to use first.

5. You need to start with the Roman numeral “I.” The subtopic, which follows right after on the next line, is the uppercase “A.” If this subtopic has its own subtopic, it would be number “1,” and then subtopic after that is lowercase “a,” and its subtopic (the one that needs symbols) is denoted as “(1),” and so forth.

Remember: Your outline should consist of complete sentences, and that each general point in the outline is always denoted with an uppercase Roman numeral. Normally you will have one Roman numeral for each paragraph.

Now, doesn’t that sound simpler? Check out the rest of the site for other how-to’s and tips for writing your paper using the MLA Format. Don’t worry, all of them come with their own MLA Templates to help guide you!