Target

The most salient feature of an academic text is that it is organized in a

specific way. Such text has a clear and well-defined structure. These
qualities of the structure make it easier for the reader to explore the text so
that one can fully grasp the message it tries to convey. This particular
arrangement must be clear on all levels of the academic text such as the
whole to text, each section of the text, every paragraph, and even every
sentence that makes up the text (www.studocu.com).

In the previous module, you have learned the different to state the
thesis statement of academic texts.

This section aims to help you understand academic texts by looking at

the organization of the details in the article.

After going through this learning material, you are expected to:

1. Outline reading texts in various disciplines

(CS-EN11/12A-EAPP-Ia-c-8).

Before going on, check how much you know about this topic. Do the
introductory activity on the next page

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 Jumpstart

For you to understand the lesson well, do the following activities.

Have fun and good luck!

Activity 1. Reading between the Lines

Directions: Read and understand the passage then answer the

questions that follow.

(1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and

cooperation have evolved over the time. Early research into competition and
cooperation defined each of them in terms of the distribution of rewards
related to each. Competition was defined as a situation in which rewards are
distributed unequally on the basis of performance, cooperation on the other
hand, was defined as a situation in which rewards are distributed equally on
the basis of mutual interactive behavior among individuals. By this
definition, a competitive situation requires at least on competitor to fail for
each competitor that wins, while a cooperative situation offers a reward only
if all members of the group receive it.
(2) Researchers have found definitions of competition and cooperation
based upon rewards inadequate primarily because definitions of these two
concepts based upon rewards depict them as opposite. In current
understanding, competition is not viewed as opposite of cooperation, instead,
cooperation is viewed as integral component of competition. Cooperation is
necessary among team members, perhaps in a sporting event or in a
political race, in order to win the competition, it is equally important to
understand that cooperation is of great importance between teams in that
same sporting event or ground rules of the game or election in order to
compete.
(3) Interestingly, the word competition is derived from a Latin verb
which means “to seek together.” An understanding of the derivation of the
word competition supports the understanding that cooperation, rather than
evoking a characteristic at the opposite extreme of human nature from
competition, is in reality a necessary factor in competition.

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Directions: Read each item and identify the answer. Use a separate sheet.

1. What is the topic of the text?

A. Competition as a Latin verb
B. Cooperation and competition in work
C. Cooperation and competition in research
D. Relationship between competition and cooperation

2. In which part of the essay is the topic introduced?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. None of these

3. Which method of development is dominantly used in the text?

A. Cause and effect
B. Comparison and contrast
C. Problem/solution
D. Sequencing of events

4. How are the details of the text arranged?

A. From general to specific
B. From specific to general
C. Opinions first followed by facts
D. Facts first followed by opinions

5. How many major details could be gleaned from the text?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

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 Discover

An outline is a summary that gives the essential features of a text. It

shows how the parts of a text is related to one another as parts that are of
equal importance, or sections that are subordinate to a main idea.

A reading outline is used to get the main idea of a text that is already
written. It helps you understand the structure of the text more critically
because you will have to find the articles’ thesis statement and supporting
details. You will better understand how a writer connects and sequences the
information in the reading.

Basic Principles and Rules in Outlining

1. Principle of Division
You cannot claim to have divided something and have only one part,
so since outlining is based on division, every part of an outline that has
subtopics should have at least two parts or subsections.
Look at the example below.

Topic: Mass Media

Thesis Statement: The different types of mass media play a
significant role in the modern society.
I. Types of Mass Media
A. Print
B. Broadcast
1. Radio
2. Television
C. Digital Media
1. Internet
2. Computers
3. Mobile Phones
II. Significance of Mass Media
A. Information Dissemination
B. Opinion Formation
C. Social Cohesion (Socialization)
D. Entertainment Fare

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 2. Principle of Classification
Similar ideas should go together. This implies that there should be no
overlapping of topics and subtopics in an outline. Examine the sample below.

Topic: Texting in the Philippines

Thesis Statement: Texting has become significant in the

evolution of communication in the
Philippines.

I. Nature of texting
A. Texting as a “hybrid construct”
B. As a suspension of grammar and punctuation
roles
II. Usage of texting in the Philippines
A. Information dissemination
B. Way of socialization

3. Principle of Coordination

Ideas of equal rank and value are coordinate, therefore, they belong to
the same level of the outline. Coordinate headings must be expressed in
parallel construction. They must be expressed in parallel structure to form a
specific kind of outline. A topic outline uses phrases in all its headings and
subheadings while a sentence outline makes use of full statements.
Look at the example below.

Wrong:
I. Mass Media are important in modern life. (sentence)
II. Forms of mass media (phrase)

Right:
I. Importance of mass media in modern life (phrase)
II. Forms of mass media (phrase)

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 4. Principle of Subordination
There are big ideas and small ideas; small ideas should fall under the
appropriate big ideas. Consider the example below.

Topic: Mass Media

Thesis Statement: The different types of mass media play a
significant role in the modern society.
I. Definition of Mass Media
II. Types of mass media
a. Broadcast media
b. Print media

Outline Format
A traditional outline starts with a Thesis Statement (TS). This is a one-
sentence statement of the main idea of the article. Then the body of the
article is divided and subdivided this way:
a. Main ideas are labeled with Roman Numerals (1st level of an outline)
b. Supporting ideas developing the main ideas are labelled with capital
letters, indented. (2nd Level)
c. Details developing the supporting ideas are labelled with Arabic
number, indented. (3rd Level)
d. Minor details developing the details are labelled with small letters. (4th
Level)
Example:
I. Main Idea I. Gardens
A. Major Supporting Detail A. Vegetable
1. Minor Supporting detail 1. In-ground gardens
2. Minor supporting detail 2. Potted gardens
B. Major supporting detail B. Flower
1. Minor supporting detail 1. Raised in beds
2. Minor supporting detail 2. Natural
a. Minor developing a. Wisteria
detail b. Wildflowers
b. Minor developing C. Water
detail 1. Fountains
C. Major supporting detail 2. Ponds
1. Minor supporting detail
2. Minor supporting detail

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 Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Enrichment Activity 1. Major minor

Directions: Read the passage and look for the main idea.

The Greeks granted citizenship to many conquered people. They made

great contributions to literature and philosophy. First, they differed in the
views of citizenship. The Romans developed practical methods for
government and the legal system. They stressed citizenship as part of
national heritage. Second, each were leaders in their own special field.

Activity 1:

Directions: Fill in the information to form the outline. Use a separate sheet.

I. Topic Sentence: The ancient Romans were unlike the Greeks in

many
ways.
A. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
B. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

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Enrichment Activity 2. Outlining a Paragraph

Directions: Read the paragraph and understand how each part relates to
one
another.

Teenagers and Alcohol

Conflicted and misguided teenagers consume alcohol for several

reasons. Young people can get alcoholic beverages easily. They are available
everywhere: sport events, shopping centers, even their neighborhood. Most
teens can afford these liquors by using their allowances and earning part-
time jobs. Another reason for teens to drink alcohol is that some have
psychological problems. They feel imbibing alcohol is a way to escape from
making decisions. At this age, they also have the problem of establishing
their independence from their parents. Finally, they may use alcohol
because of peer pressure. Hoping to be part of the “gang,” the teen turn to
alcohol to be accepted. Even the most mature youngster might be tempted
to drink alcohol rather than risk being left out. For all of these reasons,
alcohol is a major problem facing teens.

Activity 2:

Directions: Complete the outline below. Use a separate sheet.

Thesis Statement:
____________________________________________________________

I. (Main
Idea)__________________________________________________________
A. Major
Detail)_____________________________________________________
1. (Minor
detail)__________________________________________________
2. (Minor
detail)__________________________________________________
B. Major
Detail)_____________________________________________________
1. (Minor
detail)__________________________________________________
2. (Minor
detail)__________________________________________________
C. Major
Detail)_____________________________________________________
1. (Minor
detail)__________________________________________________
2. (Minor
detail)__________________________________________________

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Enrichment Activity 3. Everything in its proper place
Directions: Read the following statements and try to make sense out of
them.
In the old times, the Spanish bore a great influence over Philippine
languages and Philippine life.
(1) It was easier for priests to learn the native language and preach in it,
than for the natives to learn Spanish and learn Christianity in it.
The friars discovered that it was easier to preach the Good News in the
natives’ own language.
The Spanish used Philippine native languages to Christianize natives.
(2) The Spanish retained certain key concepts in their own language
because these terms did not have equivalent in the native languages. They
also
did this so the natives could not equate these terms with their “pagan”
beliefs.
These concepts include: God, Holy Trinity, Holy Ghost, Virgin Mary,
the
Pope, grace, sin, cross, hell, Holy Church, Sunday, and the names of the
Sacraments.
This was the beginning of the marriage of Spanish and the Philippine
languages that came under the Spanish Christian influence.
This allowed the “common people” to start learning Spanish not only
in
religion but also at home and in everyday life.
These words can be found in the first book to be published in Tagalog,
named the Doctrina Christiana.
The Spanish mixed terms from their own language with the Philippine
native language.
(3) The few Filipinos who did learn Spanish, (referred to as ilustrados)
were
the same people who exerted an enduring influence in the domains of
Philippine education, government, and law.
The Spanish and a minority of Filipinos, also used the Spanish
language
in the domains of higher education, government and law.
Toward the end of the Spanish regime, only 2.64% of an adult
population
of 4.65 million spoke Spanish.
The University of Santo Tomas only conferred 2,169 degrees from
1634 to 1865.

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 Spanish was an official language of the Philippines up until 1986.
Very few Filipinos learned Spanish well.

Assessment 3:

Directions: Arrange the sentences in Enrichment Activity 3 to complete the

outline below. Use a separate sheet.

Thesis Statement: In the old times, the Spanish bore a great influence over
Philippine languages and Philippine life.

I. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
A. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
B. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

II. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
A. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
B. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
C. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

III. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
A. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1._____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
B. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
C. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Great job! You have understood the lesson.

Are you now ready to summarize?

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 Deepen

Using the concepts learned from the activities, try to outline an academic
text on your own.

Materials:

Article, bond paper, reference

Instructions:

1. Research an academic text.

2. Read through the entire essay, and find the topic. List it as the title.

3. Locate the main idea and write it in your own words next to the label
thesis statement.

4. Read through each paragraph.

5. List the main ideas, and label them with Roman numerals.

6. List the major details, and label them with capital letters.

7. List the minor details, and label them with Arabic numerals.

8. List additional supporting details, and label them with small letter

9. Follow the matrix on the next page as a guide.

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Topic:

Thesis Statement:

I. Main idea stated in the topic sentence

A. Major detail
B. Major detail
1. Minor detail
a. Minor supporting detail
b. Minor supporting detail
2. Minor Detail
C. Major Detail
1. Minor detail
2. Minor detail

II. Main idea stated in the topic sentence

A. Major detail
1. Minor detail
2. Minor Detail
a. Minor supporting detail
b. Minor supporting detail
B. Major detail
1. Minor detail
C. Major detail
1. Minor detail
2. Minor detail

III. Main idea stated in the topic sentence

A. Major detail
B. Major detail
C. Major detail
1. Minor detail
2. Minor Detail
a. Minor supporting detail
b. Minor supporting detail

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 Rubrics for Scoring the Output

Category 4 3 2 1
Ideas/Content Well- Main ideas Some main Main ideas or
summarized and details ideas or details not
and main ideas adequately details not sufficiently
and detail in covered in covered in covered in
outline outline outline outline
Organization Details well- Most details Some details Little
organized under correct under correct understanding
under correct main ideas main idea of outline
main ideas format
Word Choice Specific, clear, Mostly specific Sometimes Vague or
and precise and clear specific, incorrect
sometimes words often
unclear used
Sentence Correct, brief correct Some are in Error-filled;
Fluency sentences used sentence sentences; many
throughout the usage some are in fragments
outline fragments
Conventions Correct outline Format Errors in Outline format
format, correct; good format, lacking; many
excellent control with spelling, errors
control few errors capitalization,
grammar and
usage

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 Gauge

Directions: Read each item carefully then choose the letter of the correct
answer. Use a separate sheet for your answers.

1. What is referred to as a summary of text in the form of a list divided

into headings and subheading?
A. Thesis statement
B. Outline
C. Paraphrase
D. Summary

2. Which is the correct arrangement of labels for an outline?

A) I, A, 1, a
B) A, I, 1, a
C) 1, I, A, a
D) A, 1, I, a

3. Which principle in outlining depicts the grouping of like ideas into one
category so there would be no overlapping?
A. Classification
B. Coordination
C. Division
D. Subordination

4. Which principle in outlining maintains that more specific details must

fall under major ideas?
A. Classification
B. Coordination
C. Division
D. Subordination

5. Which principle states that there should be parallelism in an outline?

A. Classification
B. Coordination
C. Division
D. Subordination

6. Which of the following outlines uses phrases only with no sentences

or verbs involved?
A. Diagram Outline C. Topic Outline
B. Sentence Outline D. Venn Outline

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7. Which of these provides comprehensive and clear information by
making use of complete sentences?
A. Diagram Outline C. Topic Outline
B. Sentence Outline D. Venn Outline

8. What is a topic sentence?

A. A sentence with signal words that increase the effectiveness of
organization.
B. A way to conclude the paragraph so the reader knows what the
paragraph was about.
C. Reasons, examples and other details to support the main point of
the paragraph.
E. The sentence that expresses the main point, or idea, of a paragraph.

9. Which paragraph is this?

II. Main Idea

A. Supporting detail
B. Supporting detail
C. Supporting detail
D. (Use as may as possible, but a minimum of 3-4)

A. Body C. Introduction
B. Conclusion D. Topic Sentence

10. What is the best thesis statement for the topic below?
“Should cigarette smoking be made illegal?”
A. Smoking is bad.
B. Smoking is a leading cause of death in the United States.
C. Teenagers should be allowed to smoke if they choose to.
D. Although smoking has many negative health effects, making
smoking illegal would not solve the problem.

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Answer Key

References
Printed Materials:
Laurel, Ma. Milagros C., et.al. English for Academic and Professional
Purposes Reader. Pasig City: Philippines.

Laurel, Ma. Milagros C., et.al. English for Academic and Professional
Purposes Teacher’s Guide. Pasig City: Philippines.

Saqueton, Grace M. (2016) English for Academic and Professional Purposes.

Sampaloc, Manila: Philippines.

Sword, H. (2012). Stylish Academic Writing. Cambridge, MA: Harvard

University Press.

Websites:

Academic Writing: Features of Academic Writing. (n.d.) retrieved July 25,

2020 from www.uefap.com/writing/feature/featfram.htm

Alligators and crocodiles: Comparison and Contrast. (2016). Retrieved July

28, 202 from https://studymoose.com/alligators-and-crocodiles-
comparison-and-contrast-essay.
De jesus, Georvin. (n.d.) Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Reading Academic Texts.
Retrieved July 24, 2020 from https://quizlet.com/217546421/lesson-1-
fundamentals-of-reading-academic-texts

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