Open a new document in a word processing program. Type your thesis statement on the first line.
Indicate one major point you are using to prove your thesis on the next line by typing a capital Roman numeral, followed by a period and a space. Begin with the Roman numeral "I." Enter each of the major points you are using to prove your thesis on its own line.
Indicate subdivisions under one of the major points by pressing the "Tab" key and typing a capital letter, followed by a period and a space. Begin with the letter "A." Enter each subdivision on its own line.
Show further subordinate categories within subdivisions using the Chicago Manual of Style system of hierarchy. Indent each subordinate category one more tab than the previous category. After capital letters followed by periods, use standard numerals followed by periods, lowercase letters followed by a single parentheses, standard numerals enclosed by double parenthesis, lowercase letters enclosed by double parentheses and lowercase Roman numerals followed by a single parentheses.