Outline method

Note-taking can be messy. You may find yourself with notebooks filled with unorganized, hastily written notes, with no clear format.

If you’d like to bring some structure to your notes, consider the outline method. It’s a way to organize notes in a clear, structured format. It arranges information by importance using main topics and sub-topics. This helps show how ideas connect and makes it easier to remember the material.

When using the outline method, you begin by writing down the main topic at the top of the template. Then, write down related sub-topics underneath, followed by in-depth points in the 'Evidence' section to add detail. In this way you’ll organize your notes into main topics and subtopics, making it easier to understand and review.

Download our outline method template to access it on your paper tablet.