Division
Parallelism
Whenever possible, in writing an outline, coordinate heads should be expressed in parallel form. That is, nouns should be made parallel with nouns, verb forms with verb forms, adjectives with adjectives, and so on (Example: Nouns: computers, programs, users; Verbs: to compute, to program, to use; Adjectives: home computers, new programs, experienced users). Although parallel structure is desired, logical and clear writing should not be sacrificed simply to maintain parallelism. (For example, there are times when nouns and gerunds at the same level of an outline are acceptable.) Reasonableness and flexibility of form is preferred to rigidity.
Coordination
In outlining, those items which are of equal significance have comparable numeral or letter designations: an A is equal to a B , a 1 to a 2 , an a to a b , etc. Coordinates should be seen as having the same value. Coordination is a principle that enables a writer to maintain a coherent and consistent document.
Correct coordination
A. Word processing programs B. Database programs C. Spreadsheet programs
Faulty coordination
- A. Word processing programs
B. Microsoft Word
C. Page Maker
Explanation : Word is a type of word processing program and should be treated as a subdivision. Page Maker is a type of desktop publishing program.
Subordination
In order to indicate levels of significance, an outline uses major and minor headings. Thus in ordering ideas, you should organize it from general to specific or from abstract to concrete- the more general or abstract the term, the higher the level or rank in the outline. This principle allows your material to be ordered in terms of logic and requires a clear articulation of the relationship between component parts used in the outline. Subdivisions of each higher division should always have the same relationship to the whole.
Division
To divide you always need at least two parts; therefore, there can never be an A without a B , a 1 without a 2 , an a without a b , etc. Usually there is more than one way to divide parts; however, when dividing use only one basis of division at each rank, and make the basis of division as sharp as possible.