READING AND WRITING
02_Creating Reading and Writing Outlines
Creating Reading and Writing Outlines 3. Look for key phrases in each paragraph of the
essay.
An outline reveals the coherence and
complexity of an essay. 4. Locate the topic sentence of each paragraph.
Outlining efficiently requires the ability to 5. Depending on the length of the text, look at the
locate the main ideas of the text. topic sentences and group those with related
Outlining well involves knowing how to ideas together. See if they describe a process or
distinguish ideas according to their level of are examples.
importance in the text.
6. To logically organize information, the contents
Simplicity is the key in outlining because I
must strip my reading and writing down to of the reading are arranged according to levels. A
the bare essentials. level refers to the number of ranks in the
hierarchy of information in the reading.
I can only outline something if I
understand it. 7. Provide a general group name for each group
Defining an Outline of topic sentences. These will be the main
divisions of your outline or the first level.
An outline is a summary that gives the essential Label these with a Roman numeral.
features of a text. It shows how the parts of a text
are related to one another as parts that are of The topic sentences will be the subtopics, or the
second level. Label these with capital letters.
equal importance, or sections that are
subordinate to a main idea. 8. Evaluate the supporting details provided.
Two Kinds of Outlines These will be the third level of your outline.
Label these with Arabic numerals.
A reading outline is used to get the main
ideas of a text that is already written. It helps you 9. Go back to the text after you have finished your
understand the text's structure more critically outline. Check whether you have followed its
because you will have to find the text's thesis sequence closely, and that you have not missed
statement and support. You will better understand any important information.
how a writer connects and sequences the (EXAMPLE OF READING OUTLINE pp. 64)
information in the reading.
Creating a Writing Outline
Meanwhile, a writing outline is a skeletal
version of your essay. It is used as a guide to A writing outline, is basically a skeletal overview
organize your ideas. It is usually done before you of your draft, which contains your fundamental
write the first draft of your essay. points and the different ideas that support them.
In its use, an outline works like a map: it shows
Creating a Reading Outline you where each of your ideas is placed in your
Outlines help you better understand the material writing; how all of them fit together; and how each
you are reading, and allow you to better leads to the central idea of your writing. It also
remember the things that you have read. You can determines the boundaries of your draft; how
even use them as study guides! much of your subject you will need to cover
without lacking or exceeding in details.
A reading outline is highly structured.
When, in the process of writing, should an outline
1. Read the entire text first. Skim the text be written?
afterward. Having an overview of the reading's
content will help you follow its structure better. Most teachers would recommend you to
create an outline before you write the first
2. Locate the main idea or thesis of the whole draft. By using an outline you can sort out
essay. all your ideas before you write them down.
It will tell you which ideas should come
Look at the title of the text.
first; which ones are major; which ones
Look for heading, if any.
are weak and need more clarification or
Look for information that answers the
evidence; and which ones should be taken
question, "What is the text talking about?"
out altogether. It is important to have an
outline early on because it will steer your
draft in the right direction as you go
BERMUDEZ G. 1
writing. It will also save you time from distinguishing between main ideas and supporting
problems in content organization and ideas.
revision, as it already minimizes these
5. Label all the main topics with Roman numerals.
before you even start writing your draft.
Note that they will be your outline's first level.
Make sure your main topics are logically
However, it does not mean that you
sequenced.
cannot outline in the middle or at the end
of your draft. Some writers outline in the 6. Identify subtopics and classify them under the
middle of the draft to see where they have correct main topics. Label these subtopics with
gone so far and where they could still go. uppercase letters. Note that they will be your
Some outline at the end of the draft to find outline's second level.
out what they have discovered while
writing and how they structured their 7. Identify supporting points (such as illustrations
discussion on the subject matter. It all and examples) and classify them under the
depends on your writing style, on when correct subtopics. Indent and label them with
you think the outline will be useful to you. Arabic numbers. Note that they will be your
You can try outlining at different stages of outline's third level.
writing your essay, and see what works 8. Identify particular details (such as statistics,
best for you. quotes, and other secondary information) and
Should the outline be strictly followed all classify them under the correct supporting points.
throughout the writing process? Indent and label them with lowercase letters. Note
that they will be your outline's fourth level.
Not necessarily. Some writers make
outlines to get their minds working and 9. Check your outline for unsupported evidence.
their ideas out there; once they actually Omit it, or add in new supporting details as
get on writing, they will no longer refer to necessary.
their outlines. Just understand that an 10. Re-examine all your main topics, subtopics,
outline is a writing aid that will show you supporting points, and particular details to see
how to present your points from start to that they all develop your thesis, and are logically
end, but it should not dictate the form or sequenced. Also check that all levels in the
style you want to use in your writing. The outline have parallel wording and sound
helpfulness of an outline will all be up to grammatical structure.
you,
11. Show your proposed outline to a number of
(EXAMPLE OF A FORMAL OUTLINE pp. 66) people such as your teacher, your classmates,
List of suggestions in creating your outline: your friends, or even your family. Get feedback
from them on what to improve in your outline.
1. Determine what your purpose is for writing the
thesis, who your reading audience is, and what
point of view and tone you would like to assume The Two Kinds of Generally Accepted
in delivering your message. Outlines:
2. Begin your outline with a thesis statement. scratch (or topic) outline, and sentence (or formal)
Keep in mind that it should encompass everything outline.
in your outline.
3. Review your notes. Remove any idea that does
not support your thesis or does not conform to A scratch outline is a simple list of ideas that
your chosen writing purpose, audience, point of take the form of words and phrases.
view, and tone. Add in any new ideas as
A sentence outline uses sentences to define the
necessary.
subject matter. This is similar to the outline
4. Group together similar ideas and thoughts. previously explained.
Then name each group with a heading that also
Scratch outlines are good for their brevity, while
serves as a main topic supporting your thesis
sentence outlines are good for their use of
Remember that the key to outlining is
specific detail.
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