OUTLINING READING TEXTS IN VARIOUS An outline allows a writer to categorize the

DISCIPLINES main points, to organize the

paragraphs into an order that makes sense,
An outline is a map of your essay. It shows what and to make sure that each
information each section or paragraph will contain paragraph/idea can be fully developed.
and in what order. Most outlines use numbers Essentially, an outline helps prevent a
and /or bullet points to arrange information and writer from getting stuck when performing the
convey points. actual writing of the essay.
An outline allows a writer to categorize the
 Outlining is a tool used in the writing process to main points, to organize the
help organize your ideas, visualize your paper’s paragraphs into an order that makes sense,
potential structure and to further flesh out and and to make sure that each
develops points. It allows you to understand paragraph/idea can be fully developed.
how you are to connect information to support Essentially, an outline helps prevent a
the thesis statement and the claims of the writer from getting stuck when performing the
paper. An outline provides you with a space to actual writing of the essay.
consider ideas easily without needing to write n outline allows a writer to categorize the main
complete paragraph or sentences. points, to organize the
IMPORTANCE OF AN OUTLINE paragraphs into an order that makes sense,
and to make sure that each
An outline allows a writer to categorize the main paragraph/idea can be fully developed.
points, to organize the paragraphs into an order Essentially, an outline helps prevent a
that makes sense, and to make sure that each writer from getting stuck when performing the
paragraph/idea can be fully developed. Essentially, actual writing of the essay.
an outline helps prevent a writer from getting stuck Once you have settled on a thesis statement
when performing the actual writing of the essay. and your main supporting ideas, you can write a
formal outline, creating the “skeleton” of your
WHY OUTLINE? essay. Looking at your ideas this way can help
ensure that:
Just like we need a road map when traveling to
an unfamiliar destination,  Your main points are on-topic and directly
good writers create preliminary or rough outlines support your thesis
after they have generated enough  Your main points are logically organized.
ideas through prewriting to organize and  Your most important ideas are emphasized,
develop their essays. Strong, thorough and your less important ideas are subordinated.
prewriting should develop more ideas than you
can actually use in your essay so OUTLINES ALSO HELP WRITERS:
that you are able to select the most relevant and
convincing ideas for your essay.  Make the writing process easier since you have
Just like we need a road map when traveling to an a road map for your essay to follow.
unfamiliar destination good writers create  Break through writer’s block4for people, who
preliminary or rough outlines after they have struggle with writer’s block, it helps to first set
generated enough ideas through prewriting to up a structure with lower stakes and less
organize and develop their essays. Strong, pressure.
thorough prewriting should develop more ideas  Save time writing your essay since you have a
than you can actually use in your essay so that you clear, focused plan to follow for your essay.
are able to select the most relevant and convincing  Ensure each part of your essay relates to the
ideas for your essay. essay.

An outline allows a writer to categorize the  Organization: Outlining helps writers organize their
main points, to organize the thoughts and ideas in a logical sequence, making it
paragraphs into an order that makes sense, easier for readers to follow the argument.
and to make sure that each  Clarity: It ensures that each point is clearly
paragraph/idea can be fully developed. articulated and supported with evidence, preventing
Essentially, an outline helps prevent a confusion or ambiguity.
writer from getting stuck when performing the
actual writing of the essay.
 Efficiency: Outlining saves time by providing a sentences to outline each main point and
roadmap for the writing process, reducing the need subpoint. This type of outline provides more
for extensive revisions or restructuring later on. detail and clarity.
 Focus: It helps writers stay focused on the main  Alphanumeric Outline: Alphanumeric outlines
argument and avoids straying off-topic. use a combination of numbers and letters to
 Coherence: Outlining ensures that the paper has a organize ideas hierarchically. For example,
coherent structure, with each point building upon main points are labeled with Roman numerals
the previous one and leading logically to the next. (I, II, III), subpoints with capital letters (A, B, C),
and further details with Arabic numerals (1, 2,
PARTS OF AN OUTLINE 3).
 Full Sentence Outline: Similar to the sentence
INTRODUCTION (attention grabber) outline, a full sentence outline provides
complete sentences for each main point and
An introduction of an essay prepares the reader for subpoint, along with supporting evidence or
the contents of the essay. The introduction of the examples.
essay is an opening of what is to come ahead.
Here, the writer introduces a topic to the reader by HOW TO DO IT?
giving background information and providing a
thesis statement. Having mentioned the thesis
 Put the thesis statement at the top: it should be
statement in your introduction, the rest of the paper
polished and be a complete sentence.
should help you support the claim.
 Use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) to
BODY (content of the paper) indicate the main points/topic sentences which
should be written in specific phrases or
The second part of any essay is the body of the complete sentences
essay. Typically, the body of the essay should  (This is the “P” or Point of PIE).
contain a minimum of three paragraphs in support  Use capital letters (A, B, C, D, E, etc.) for the
of the thesis statement made in the introductory major supporting details; typically, writers
paragraph. Each paragraph should relay an should have at least two main supporting
individual point or idea. Furthermore, you should details for each point/topic sentence (the “I” or
always ensure that your paragraphs contain three information of PIE providing evidence and the
parts: the topic sentence, supporting statement, “E” or explanation of PIE providing analysis).
and the concluding paragraphs. Use numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) For sub-details
clarifying and specifying your main supporting
CONCLUSION (wrap all your arguments) details.

The conclusion of the essay should mark the end of MAIN POINTS: (also known as main idea). Chief
your essay. Here, a writer is supposed to point an author is making about a topic. It sums up
summarize ideas made in the body and restate the the author’s primary message.
thesis statement.
SUB –POINTS: (also known as supporting details
or idea). A paragraph contains facts, statements,
examples-specifics which guide us to a full
TYPES OF AN OUTLINE understanding of the main idea. They clarify,
illuminate, explain, describe, expand and illustrate
 Topic Outline: This type of outline uses single the main idea and are supporting details.
words or short phrases to represent the main
points and subpoints of the paper. It is usually
more informal and provides a basic overview of
the structure.
 Sentence Outline: A sentence outline expands
on the topic outline by using complete
Introduction (attention grabber)
An introduction of an
essay prepares the reader on
the contents of the
essay. The introduction of the
essay is an opening of what is
to come ahead. Here,
the writer introduces the
topic to the reader by giving
background information
and providing a thesis
statement. Having mentioned
the thesis statement in your
introduction, the rest of the
paper should help you support
the claim.
Introduction (attention grabber)
 An introduction of an
essay prepares the reader on
the contents of the
essay. The introduction of the
essay is an opening of what is
to come ahead. Here,
the writer introduces the
topic to the reader by giving
background information
and providing a thesis
statement. Having mentioned
the thesis statement in your
introduction, the rest of the
paper should help you support
the claim.
Introduction (attention grabber)
An introduction of an
essay prepares the reader on
the contents of the
essay. The introduction of the
essay is an opening of what is
to come ahead. Here,
the writer introduces the
topic to the reader by giving
background information
and providing a thesis
statement. Having mentioned
the thesis statement in your
introduction, the rest of the
paper should help you support
the claim.

✓ Your main points have

enough and relevant
supporting evidence.