OUTLINING READING TEXTS

IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
Objectives:

1. Define an outline,

2. Identify the kinds of outline according to

structure; and

3. Use a topic and sentence outline in selecting

and organizing information
 Tell Me It’s True or False

Directions: Read the following

statements about summarizing. Write
TRUE if the statement is correct. Write
FALSE if it states otherwise.
1. Thesis statement can be implicit and explicit.
2. Implicit thesis statement does not clearly express
the main idea of a text
3. Explicit thesis statement expresses the main idea of
the text clearly.
4. Thesis statement is the supporting idea of a text.
5. One of the key elements of a thesis statement, it is
not a question.
 Activity 1. A Memory to Remember

Directions: In this activity, you are tasked to read the

list of words or phrases below. Decide which two
general categories, and then put the rest of the words
and phrases in the correct category. Use the table to
categorize your answer.
 read a book ride a bike
swim bake cookies
build a model indoor activities
play baseball climb a tree
outdoor activities play cards
GENERAL CATEGORY GENERAL CATEGORY
INDOOR ACTIVITIES OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
GENERAL CATEGORY GENERAL CATEGORY

read a book swim

build a model play baseball
bake cookies ride a bike
play cards climb a tree
 Activity 2. Memories to Treasure

Directions: Read the words and phrases presented on

the table. The two general categories are given or main
topics. Find the words and phrases that name the
subtopics under each of the main categories. Then
decide which words and phrases fall under sub-topics.
 hawk corn on the cob
Broccoli Insects
Birds Meat
robin pork chops
Hamburger Mosquito
Beetle Vegetables
I. Food
A. ___________________________
1._____________________
2. ____________________
B. ___________________________
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
II. Animals
A. ___________________________
1. _____________________
2.______________________
B. ___________________________
1. _____________________
2. _____________________
I. Food
A. Meat
1. Pork Chops
2. Hamburger
B. Vegetables
1. Broccoli
2. Corn on the cob
II. Animals
A. Birds
1. Hawk
2. Robin
B. Insects
1. Mosquito
2. Beetle
OUTLINE
What is an outline?

◦An outline is a map of your essay or a blueprint.

◦It shows what information each section or
paragraph will contain, and in what order.
◦Most outlines use numbers and/or bullet points
to arrange information and convey points.
◦It is a tool we use in the writing process to help
organize our ideas, visualize our paper’s potential
structure, and to further flesh out and develop points.
◦It allows the writer to understand how he or she will
connect information to support the thesis statement
and the claims of the paper.
◦An outline provides the writer with a space to consider
ideas easily without needing to write complete
paragraphs or sentences.
Importance of an outline
An outline allows a writer to categorize the main
points, to organize the paragraphs into an order that
makes sense, and to make sure that each
paragraph/idea can be fully developed. Essentially, an
outline helps prevent a writer from getting stuck when
performing the actual writing of the essay.
Why outline?
◦Just like we need a road map when traveling to an
unfamiliar destination, good writers create preliminary or
rough outlines after they have generated enough ideas
through prewriting to organize and develop their essays.
◦Strong, thorough prewriting should develop more ideas
than you can actually use in your essay so that you are able
to select the most relevant and convincing ideas for your
essay.
Once you have settled on a thesis statement and your main
supporting ideas, you can write a formal outline, creating the
“skeleton” of your essay. Looking at your ideas this way can help
ensure that:
✓ Your main points are on-topic and directly support your thesis
✓ Your main points are logically organized.
✓ Your most important ideas are emphasized, and your less important
ideas are subordinated.
✓ Your main points have enough and relevant supporting evidence.
Outlines also help writers:
✓ Make the writing process easier since you have a road map for your
essay to follow.
✓ Break through writer’s block—for people who struggle with writer’s
block, it helps to first set up a structure with lower stakes and less
pressure.
✓ Save time writing your essay since you have a clear, focused plan to
follow for your essay.
✓ Ensure each part of your essay relates to the essay.
PARTS OF AN OUTLINE
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.
◦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.
Body (The content of the paper)
◦The second part of any essay is the body of the essay.
◦Typically, the body of the essay should contain a minimum of three
paragraphs in support of the thesis statement made in the
introductory paragraph.
◦Each paragraph should relay an individual point or idea.
◦Furthermore, you should always ensure that your paragraphs
contain three parts: the topic sentence, supporting statement and
the concluding paragraphs.
Conclusion (Wrap all of your arguments)
◦The conclusion of the essay should mark the end of your
essay.
◦A writer is supposed to summarize the ideas made in the
body and also restate the thesis statement.
How to do it?
✓ Put the thesis statement at the top: it should be polished and be a
complete sentence.
✓ Use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) to indicate the main
points/topic sentences which should be written in specific phrases or
complete sentences (this is the “P” or Point of PIE).
✓ Use capital letters (A, B, C, D, E, etc.) for the major supporting details;
typically, writers should have at least two main supporting details for
each point/topic sentence (the “I” or information of PIE providing
evidence and the “E” or explanation of PIE providing analysis).
✓ Use numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) for sub-details clarifying and
specifying your main supporting details.
Thesis Statement

All outlines should begin with a thesis statement of

summarizing sentence. This thesis sentence presents
the central idea of the paper. It must always be a
complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief,
which expresses the point of view you are taking
towards the subject.
Main points/ Main Idea/ Sub-Points/ Supporting Details

◦Main points (also known as main idea)

Chief point an author is making about a topic. It sums
up the author’s primary message.
◦Sub -Points (also known as supporting details or idea)
A paragraph contains facts, statements, examples-
specifics which guide us to a full understanding of the main
idea. They clarify, illuminate, explain, describe, expand and
illustrate the main idea and are supporting details.
Types of Outlines According to Structure
1. Topic Outline
◦An outline that consists of a short phrase.
◦It provides a quick overview of topics to be included
in an essay.
◦After each heading in a topic outline for an essay, a
maximum of several words is used to identify the
topic or idea that will be discussed under the given
heading.
2. Sentence Outline
◦An outline that is done in full sentence.
◦It Forces part of the essay to be written out in
sentences before the first draft.
◦It expresses the specific and complete idea that
that section of the paper will cover as part of
proving the overall thesis.
Topic Outline Example
Thesis Statement: The increased use of social media has led to more suicides among today’s youth--a result
of cyberbullying.

I. Effects and Consequences of Cyber Bullying

A. Damage victims
1. depression
2. decrease academic performance
3. suicides
B. Counselling
1. legal consequences
2. academic consequences
II. Prevention
A. Monitoring your Child
1. keeping tabs on activity
2. limiting access to social media
B. Counselling
1. consulting a school counsellor
2. finding a mentor
3. discussing the issue
Sentence Outline Example
Thesis Statement: The abuse of alcohol and drugs can affect a person economically, psychologically, and
physically.
I. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect one economically.
A. The cost of alcohol abuse is high and getting higher.
1. The costs of DUIs can be enormous.
2. Alcohol costs are always rising because of rising production costs as well as
state and local taxes.
B. The cost of drug abuse can be high.
1. Even the arrest for the possession of a minute amount of drugs can result in high bail and court
cost.
2. The cost of drugs fluctuates drastically according to the type of drug, its availability, and the
amount.
II. Alcohol and drug abuse can have severe psychological effects.
A. Alcohol abuse can damage a person psychologically.
1. Alcohol is a depressant and can alter the personality of anyone.
2. The abuse of alcohol can lead to the psychological addiction to alcohol.
B. Drug abuse can be detrimental to one psychologically.
1. Drugs impair one's ability to function normally because of the hallucinations or numbness of
"getting high."
2. Drugs can become a psychological addiction.
Thesis Statement: The abuse of alcohol and drugs can affect a person economically,
psychologically, and physically.
I. Economic Effects
A. Alcohol
1. cost of alcohol purchases
2. cost of DUIs
B. Drugs
1. cost of drug purchases
2. cost of drug arrest

II. Psychological Effects

A. Alcohol
1. mental impairment
2. mental addiction
B. Drugs
1. mental impairment
2. mental addiction
Thesis Statement: The abuse of alcohol and drugs can affect a person economically, psychologically, and
physically.
I. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect one economically.
A. The cost of alcohol abuse is high and getting higher.
1. The costs of DUIs can be enormous.
2. Alcohol costs are always rising because of rising production costs as well as state and local
taxes.
B. The cost of drug abuse can be high.
1. Even the arrest for the possession of a minute amount of drugs can result in high bail and
court cost.
2. The cost of drugs fluctuates drastically according to the type of drug, its availability, and the
amount.
II. Alcohol and drug abuse can have severe psychological effects.
A. Alcohol abuse can damage a person psychologically.
1. Alcohol is a depressant and can alter the personality of anyone.
2. The abuse of alcohol can lead to the psychological addiction to alcohol.
B. Drug abuse can be detrimental to one psychologically.
1. Drugs impair one's ability to function normally because of the hallucinations or numbness of "getting
high."
2. Drugs can become a psychological addiction.
 Activity 3: Complete the Incomplete

Direction: Read the paragraph. Complete the outline

given. The main points or topic have been written for
you:
 Suffering takes place when we patiently endure unpleasantness,
discomfort, and pain. It can come in the form of physical suffering, when
we experience physical sensations such as discomfort, hunger, distress,
and pain. These are often caused by injury, disease, and the lack of basic
needs. It can be in the form of mental suffering, which involves
emotional and mental states such as depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness
and grief. These may be caused by unexpected situations in life such as
sudden changes in lifestyle, loss of employment, stressful situation, and
grief cause by the death of a loved one. The tension between what a
person is and what he wants to be may also an experience of suffering.
Thesis Statement: We normally experience difficulties in
life.
I. Suffering
A. Cause of Suffering
1.__________________________________________
2. _________________________________________
3. _________________________________________
B. Forms of Suffering
1._________________________________________
2._________________________________________