How to Write a Harvard Outline
The classic outline form is known as the Harvard outline. Below
is an example:
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History of the Vietnam War
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I. Vietnam as part of French Indochina
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A.
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19th
Century imperialism
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1.
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Berlin conference, 1890
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a.
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Africa
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b.
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Chinese concessions
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c.
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Southeast Asia
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2.
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Restored French national pride after German defeat
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3.
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Built up the French business classes after Napoleon III
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B.
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Tin and rubber industries
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C.
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Revolutionary insurgencies emerge after 1900
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D.
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Ho Chi Minh and other French-educated Marxists
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II. Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh Coalition
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A.
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<sub idea here>
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B.
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<sub idea here>
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III. World War II and Japanese Occupation
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IV. Vietnamese Declaration of Independence
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Rules for Constructing a Harvard Outline
• Use phrases, not complete sentences
• Where you have a I, you have to have a II; where
you have an A, you have to have a B
• You don't need sub ideas (sub details)
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Title (Subject)
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I. Main Idea (Main
Topic) [Paragraph 1]
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A.
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Sub Idea (Sub
Topic)
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B.
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Sub Idea (Sub Topic)
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1.
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Sub Idea of this sub idea B (Details)
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a.
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Sub Idea of sub idea i (Sub Details)
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b.
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Sub Idea of sub idea ii
(Sub Details)
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c.
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Sub Idea of sub idea iii
(Sub Details)
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2.
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Sub Idea of sub idea B
(Details)
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II. Main Idea (Main
Topic) [Paragraph 2]
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III. Main Idea (Main Topic)
[Paragraph 3]
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