You can use this format the same way you use the more formal outline format, i.e., for meeting notes, textbook notes, lecture notes, etc. For those folks who never got all that familiar with the formal outline, this format feels “friendlier” and more flexible. However, the hierarchy of information implied by the indentation and lettering/numbering system still requires that you are able to figure out the information’s hierarchy as you take the notes. What do you do when this is simply not possible?