Homework 1.

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:

I. (Roman Numerals) These indicate major structural sections of your

writing.
A. (Capital Letter) Main Point
1. (Standard Numeral) Supporting idea
a. (Lower Case Letter) Detail or example of supporting idea
(1) (Standard Numeral in Parentheses) specific detail or
information

Sample Outline

The El Tajín Archaeological site

I. Introduction: What is El Tajín

A. What is El Tajín
1. Archaeological site, Veracruz
2. Apogee 800-1200 A.D.
B. Very Important Historical site and Tourism Attraction

II. Body: Three Main Areas of the Ruin Complex

A. The Arroyo Group
1. South end of the ruin complex
a. Near the entrance
2. Made up of buildings 16, 18, 19 and 20 and the plaza they created
a. Building 16
(1). At north end of Plaza
(2). Has niches like Building 1
(3). North face borders on a ballcourt
b. Buildings 18 and 20
(1). Look very similar
(2). East and west sides of plaza
c. Building 19
B. The Main Ceremonial Area
1. North of the Arroyo Group but south of Tajin Chico
2. Several Ballcourts
a. South Ballcourt
(1). Most important one
(2). Famous carvings of ballplayers
3. Pyramid of the Niches
 a. Emblematic building of El Tajin
b. 356 Niches
c. First to be Discovered and excavated
C. Tajin Chico
1. On a hill to the north overlooking the rest of the site
2. Once a residential area for the city's elite
3. Building of the Columns
a. Once a palace
b. Three great columns
(1). Columns now in on-site museum
4. Building I
a. famous for the paintings that have survived there

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.

Celebrating Fourth of July

I. Introduction
A.
B. How do Americans Celebrate the Fourth
C.
II.
A. Fourth of July Food
1. Barbecue
a.
b. Hot dogs
c. Sausages
2. Salads
a. Pasta Salad
b.
a. Make potato salad one day ahead
b.
3. Drinks
a. Beer
b.
c. Lemonade
B.
1. Fireworks
a. Often sponsored by local governments
 b.
c. Bring bug spray
2. Parties
a.
b. Invite people by June
3. Outdoor Games
a.
b. Badminton
(1) Badminton and Volleyball can often use the same net
c. Bocce
d.
III. Conclusion
A. An important part of US culture
B.

Missing words and Phrases:

 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?