Outlining a Text

 How do architects and engineers usually begin their construction of a

building?
 Why do they begin in this manner? Is it advisable to begin their
construction in any other way? Why or Why not?

Before putting on cement, partitions, and paint on a building, engineers and architects
see to it that its farmers and foundations are already in place. This is because these are essential
in ensuring that the building will stand firm through time and determining the shape that the
building will take upon its completion. In a similar manner, an outline is crucial in academic writing.

Outline establishes the “shape” that essay will take. The outline should be a reflection of an
essay’s thesis statement, and in turn, will guide the writer as to what details are supposed to be
included in an essay. It may also help a writer establish unity and coherence in his or her
presentation of ideas. By unity, we mean that all information found in an essay speak of the
thesis statement, and by coherence, we mean that the ideas in an essay are logically are
logically arranged.

 Outlines are used in determining the structure of an academic paper.

 Main headings for each of the sections are encoded using Roman numerals (I, II,
III etc.) while the supporting arguments or details are marked by capital letters (A,
B, C, etc.)

 Make sure that the main headings and sub-headings should at least come in pairs,
if “II” is absent, there should not be a “I” in the first place. Likewise, if there is no “B”
then the previous idea should be included in the main heading and should not be
encoded as “A”.

Two Types of Outline

1. Topic Outline – makes use of key words and phrases

2. Sentence Outline – makes use of complete sentences

Basic Outline Form

Below is a synopsis of the outline form. The main ideas take roman numerals. Sub-points
under each main idea take capital letters and are indented. Sub-points under the capital letters,
if any, take italic numbers and are further indented.

I. MAIN IDEA
A. Subsidiary idea or supporting idea to I
 B. Subsidiary idea or supporting idea to I
1. Subsidiary idea to B
2. Subsidiary idea to B
a. Subsidiary idea to 2
b. Subsidiary idea to 2

II. MAIN IDEA

A. Subsidiary or supporting idea to II
B. Subsidiary idea to II
C. Subsidiary idea to II
III. MAIN IDEA
It is up to the writer to decide on how many main ideas and supporting
ideas adequately describe the subject. However, if there is a I in the outline, there has to be II;
if there is an A, there has to be a B; if there is 1, there has to be 2 and so forth.

Sample Outline 1

TITLE: Properties of Magnets

I. Attracts objects which are magnetic in nature.
A. Illustration of the principle
B. The composition of magnets
C. How to create magnets
D. Counter-examples of magnets
E. Origin of magnets
II. Like poles repel, unlike pole attract
III. Freely hanging magnets align in one direction
A. Illustration
B. The principle behind illustration
IV. Poles occur in pairs

Sample Outline 2

Title: “The Benefits of Running”

1. Introduction
A. Running is becoming an extremely popular sport of all ages.
B. Running is great form of exercise because it helps people control
their weight, develop muscles, and improves mental and physical
performance.

2. Body
A. Weight control
1. Aids self-control
2. Burns calories
3. Encourages a healthy diet
 4. Suppresses appetite

B. Muscular Development
1. Improves tone
2. Enhances contours
3. Increases strength
4. Improves endurance

C. Psychological Well-being
1. Aids sleep
2. Inhibits depression
3. Intensifies vitality

D. Cardiovascular Fitness
1. Strengthen heart
2. Lowers blood pressure
3. Changes blood lipids
4. Improves circulation

Guided Practice
Direction. Read through the texts. Then, complete the outline for each text.

Science

Life processes involve a continuous flow of energy within a cell, from one cell to another,
and from one organism to another. The study of energy transformation in living organisms is called
bioenergetics.
There are three main types of energy transformation that occur in the biosphere. In the first
type, solar energy is captured by the green pigment called chlorophyll, in green plants and is
transformation is called cellular respiration. His involves the conversion of chemical energy of
carbohydrates and other molecules into phosphate bonds. The third type of energy
transformation occurs when the chemical energy of these phosphates bonds is utilized by the cells
to do work.
The branch of physics that deals with energy and its transformation is called
thermodynamics. Its principles are universally applied to chemical processes in both living and
non-living organisms.

Branches of Science dealing with energy transformation

A. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

B. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

A. Solar Energy
 1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________

B. Conversion of Chemical Energy

1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________

C. Energy of Phosphate Bonds

1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________

Activity: Independent Practice

Direction. Major and minor ideas are mixed together in the lists below. Put the ideas in logical
order by choosing the best idea from the list.

Thesis: Working at the local coffee shop was my favorite job.

A. Pleasant environment
1. Friendly customers
2. __________________
a. Helpful co-workers
b. Flexible hour
c. Holiday bonus

B. Good schedule
1. Short shifts
2. __________________
a. Helpful co-workers
b. Flexible hour
c. Holiday bonus

C. Good pay
1. Generous Tips
2. ___________________
a. Helpful co-workers
b. Flexible hour
c. Holiday bonus
QUIZ

Direction. The major and minor details are mixed together in the two groups that follow.
The major details in each group support a given main idea. Separate the major from the minor
details by filling in the outline.

A. Main Idea: Freshman English Course in college is demanding

 Surprise Quizzes
 A great deal of writing
 Three major tests
 Many tests
 Term paper
 Several Novels
 Several short stories
 Extensive reading loads
 Frequent writing assignments
 Written summaries of articles assigned
 Reading magazines and newspapers articles
 Comprehensive final exam

Major Detail
1. ______________________________________________________
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
Minor Details c. _________________________________________________

Major Detail 2. ______________________________________________________

a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
Minor Details c. _________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________
Major Detail a. _________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
Minor Details c. __________________________________________________

(Source: Pablo, E.A. et.al, Functional Text in English 1. Pp 40-41)

ASSIGNMENT

Select two or three chapters from other textbooks in natural and social sciences, and
prepare an outline for each. Make sure your output adheres to the conventions of outlining
discussed in the lesson.