Place your last name and a small roman numeral at the top left-hand corner of your document. Small roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.) are used as page numbers for the front matter. Front matter is any page that does not make up the body of your paper, such as the cover page and the outline.
Title your outline and place your title in the center of your paper, 1/2 inch from the top of your document.
Place your thesis statement 1/2 below your title. An MLA outline always begins with a thesis in standard format. Write the word "Thesis" on the left side of your document, followed by a colon and your thesis statement.
Use uppercase roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) to designate main headings. Each heading represents a paragraph in your paper and should directly relate to your thesis. There should be a minimum of three main headings in your outline.
Indicate subheadings with capital letters. Each main heading should have a minimum of two subheadings that relate to your thesis. Each subheading should reinforce the main heading that it is under with a supporting idea.
Divide the subheadings into subdivisions, if needed. These subdivisions are classified with numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). Further divisions are indicated with lowercase letters.