Example of A ‘Good” Outline
Topic: Robert E. Lee
Thesis: Although Southerners like to portray General Robert
E. Lee as the best general in American history, his military strategy actually
lost the war for the South.
I. Personal
Background
A.
Before War
1.
Family’s Traditions of Service
a)
Richard Henry Lee and the Continental Congress
b)
Francis Lightfoot Lee and the Declaration of Independence
c)
General Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee
(1)
Aide under George Washington
(2)
Governor and Congressman of Virginia
2.
Family Problems
a)
Father jailed for not paying debts
b)
Father injured and crippled by an angry mob
c)
Brought up by mother and her family
3.
Marriage to granddaughter of Martha Washington
4.
Military Background
a)
West Point
(1)
Second in his class
(2)
No Demerits – only one in history
b)
Mexican War service
c)
Superintendent of US military Academy at West Point
d)
Commanded troops that captured John Brown
B.
Personal Philosophy and Attitude towards the War
1.
Attitude towards duty – “Duty is the sublimest word in our
language. Do your duty in all
things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.”
2.
Attitude towards slavery
a)
Saw it as a “moral and political evil”
b)
Owned slaves
3.
Feelings at the beginning of the war
a)
Loyalty to the Union that his ancestors had helped create
b)
Loyalty to Virginia – state meant more than country
c)
Felt that he could not “raise my hand against my relatives,
my children, my home.”
This is just the beginning of
a great outline. You get the idea, I hope.