Professional Documents
Culture Documents
5: Outlining
Outlining is an important part of the writing process. A good outline will save
you time and effort. An outline allows you to organize your thoughts before you
sit down to write. It helps you avoid repetition. Most outlines are informally made
and meant to be discarded once used.
There are many ways to format an outline. In this class, we will use a simple
alternating number/letter format. I will expect all outlines turned in for this class to
follow this format. Your outlines should look like this:
Sample Outline
III. Conclusion
A. Great Place to Visit
B. Hours, location, etc.
Outlining Assignment 1
An outline has been prepared for you for a short, four-paragraph piece. The
structure is given, as are the entries. Put the entries back where they belong! Note
that the missing phrases have been provided to you.
1. Introduction
A. What is Fourth of July
B. How do Americans Celebrate the Fourth
C. A Quote by Thomas Jefferson
Potato Salad
Volleyball
Friends, neighbors, co-workers
Soft Drinks
What is Fourth of July
Take place at dusk
Is a good vegetarian option
Croquet
Hamburgers
Fourth of July Customs
Main Body: Fourth of July Food and Customs
Celebrated by Americans wherever they are
A Quote by Thomas Jefferson
Outlining Assignment 2:
Imagine that you are going to write a short, five-paragraph essay on the topic
“Advice for new students to USFQ.” DO NOT WRITE THE ESSAY. Just write the
outline right here and turn it in along with the rest of this assignment. Here are
some tips and pointers:
Break your essay down into three main parts: introduction, body and
conclusion, and list them with Roman numerals.
Give three sound pieces of advice for new students entering USFQ.
Start general with your advice, and then get specific in the details. For
example, a general piece of advice might be “Don’t try and do too much.”
Add specific details might be “Don’t schedule more than six classes per
semester” and “It’s best not to have a side job while you’re studying.” (and a
sub-detail of that would be “because it will take up too much time.”)
Look over your outline once you’re done. Did you repeat yourself? Did the
outline help you organize your thoughts?
I. Introduction
A. History of USFQ
B. Characteristics of USFQ
1. Liberal arts school
2. Up to date advances
C. A Quote by some alumni
II. Main Body: Take advantage of the Liberal arts, Join Clubs and Learn how
to balance university and life
A. Take advantage of the Liberal arts
1. Importance of it
a. Allows you to think outside the box
b. Helps you to know people from different majors
(1) Ex. Your friend the food engineer could turn into
your business partner in the future
c. Gives you a new point of view
(1) The more you learn the more you are able to
understand different POV
2. Awakens new interest/hobbies
a. Pick classes of your liking
(1) You might discover a passion for photography,
ceramics, yoga, etc.
B. Join Clubs
1. Meet people with the same interest
2. Make friends
3. Get job opportunities
(1) By getting to know professionals on the area
(1) Giving time for university is important but you also need
to leave some time for your personal growth and wellbeing
2. Social Life
a. Hanging out with friends is important but you have to keep
priorities
III. Conclusion
A. Take advantage of every opportunity
B. Enjoy and make friends
(1) (your friend today could be your partner tomorrow).