Scribd
Upload
463 views19 pages

Outlining PDF

An outline is a formal system used to organize ideas and plan writing projects. It usually takes the form of a list divided into headings and subheadings to distinguish main points from supporting details. There are two main types of outlines - a topic outline which uses short phrases and is useful for short documents, and a sentence outline which summarizes each idea in a complete sentence and is used for more complex papers. The outlining process involves grouping related ideas, ordering them from broad to specific, creating an introductory main point, establishing additional main point headings, writing subpoints for each main idea, including supporting details, and outlining a conclusion if needed. Outlines help writers organize their thoughts and structure their writing in a clear, logical

Uploaded by

Jean Rose Hermo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
463 views19 pages

Outlining PDF

An outline is a formal system used to organize ideas and plan writing projects. It usually takes the form of a list divided into headings and subheadings to distinguish main points from supporting details. There are two main types of outlines - a topic outline which uses short phrases and is useful for short documents, and a sentence outline which summarizes each idea in a complete sentence and is used for more complex papers. The outlining process involves grouping related ideas, ordering them from broad to specific, creating an introductory main point, establishing additional main point headings, writing subpoints for each main idea, including supporting details, and outlining a conclusion if needed. Outlines help writers organize their thoughts and structure their writing in a clear, logical

Uploaded by

Jean Rose Hermo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

OUTLINING

What is outlining?
a formal system used to think about and organize your
paper.

a plan for or a summary of a writing project or speech.

usually in the form of a list divided into headings and


subheadings that distinguish main points from supporting
points.

2
Thesis Statement
● main point
● main idea
● central message.

● The sentence that captures your


position on this main idea is what we
call a thesis statement. 3
1
An OUTLINE
may either be…
TOPIC OUTLINE

SENTENCE OUTLINE
SENTENCE OUTLINE
● Summarizes each idea in a complete
sentence that may become the topic
sentence for a paragraph in the rough
draft.
● It is normally used when your paper
focuses on complex details.
5
TOPIC OUTLINE
● consists of short phrases arranged to reflect
your primary method of development.
● especially useful for short documents such as
letters, e-mails, or memos.
● For a large writing project, create a topic
outline first, and then use it as a basis for
creating a sentence outline.

8
2
ORGANIZING
YOUR
IDEA
1. Group your ideas
together.
● Review your brainstorming, placing related
ideas in the same group. It’s okay if you have a
lot of information at first. You can always
eliminate ideas you realize are unnecessary.
These groups will become main points, so
narrow your groups down until you have your
desired number of main points.
11
2. Put each group in order
from broad ideas to specific
details.
● Broad ideas are more likely to be your main points,
while details are the bits of information you will use to
support those ideas. Depending on the purpose of your
outline, you may have many subpoints and supporting
details. However, aim to have at least 2-3 subpoints and
2-3 supporting details for each main idea.
● Your broad ideas should connect back to your thesis or
controlling idea. If they don’t, rewrite your thesis to
reflect the main ideas you’re putting into your outline.
12
3. Outline your introduction as
the first main point for a
speech or essay.
● You can use either phrases or full sentences,
depending on which you chose to use. Some
people prefer to write out their introduction,
which is also okay. Here are the points you
need in your introduction:
● Hook to grab the audience
● 1-2 general statements about your topic
● Thesis 13
4. Create your body
headings, if you haven’t
already.
● The outline headings are your main points.
You’ll label these headings with Roman
Numerals for an alphanumeric outline (I, II, III). If
you’re writing an essay, this would be the body
of your essay. These ideas should be drawn
directly from your thesis or controlling idea.

14
5. Write at least 2 subpoints
for each main idea.

● Your subpoints are the second level of


your outline, so you’ll label them as A,
B, or C for an alphanumeric outline.
These are the ideas that further explain
your main point.
15
6. Write at least 2
supporting details for each
subpoint.
● Supporting details back up or illustrate
the point you’re making. They might
include direct quotes, statistics, facts, or
examples. This is the third level of your
outline, so you’ll use Arabic Numerals
for your alphanumeric outline (1, 2, 3).
16
7. Include more layers of
your outline if necessary.

● Most basic outlines will include 3 layers, but you may need more. If this
is the case, you can continue creating sublevels using the formatting
structure you chose, either alphanumeric or decimal.
● . Here’s how you would continue your layering an Alphanumeric:
○ Roman Numeral
○ Capital Letter
○ Arabic Numeral
○ Lowercase Letter
○ Arabic Numeral in Parentheses
17
FORMAL OUTLINE

18
8.Outline your conclusion.

● Don’t expect to write out your final conclusion, as it will be much easier
to write it once you’ve completed the essay or speech. However, it’s a
good idea to start organizing your thoughts.
● Your subpoints might include the following:
○ Restate your thesis
○ 1-2 summarizing sentences
○ Write a concluding statement

19

You might also like