9.2: Making an Outline
- Page ID
- 211829
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Making an outline is a very important step in writing. This is the blueprint to the text. A completed outline, meaning every sentence, or, at least, the main stuff, replaces the rough draft. An draft in outline form is always easier to read than if it is in paragraph form. Outlining is writing. As the outline is pushed out more, it is being revised. Revision is not the same as writing. Writing requires one pushes words to fit the theme, topic, and details on a page. Revision refers to the process of evaluating the text not writing it. This is different from proofreading, which focuses on the minor things (e.g., grammar, punctuation, formatting, and spelling) not ideas or details.
Outlining has several steps. It should never be completed as a short, simple list of ideas. Outlining, if done correctly, is a series of steps that the previous one builds upon.
It all starts with a revised thesis statement, which is generated from the brainstorming. Then, everything that was written down from the brainstorming is separated into reasons and details. Reasons are broad phrases and statements while details are specific phrases and statements. The information from the brainstorming can fit in more than one place. This is normal, and it is normal to place the information in multiple places to see where things best fit.
Once the separation of details and reasons has been completed, then, the actual outline can be created. There are two types of outlines for the purposes of this book. The partial outline is the brainstorming in outline form. The complete outline refers to everything added to the partial outline, which replaces the rough draft in other books. Hence, there is no such thing as a rough draft in this book. Essentially, everything gets pushed through the outline.
For examples of partial and complete outlines, see the Assignment section. In this section, a skeletal outline shows how to make an effective outline. Outlines are required in many classes (e.g., public speaking, and composition classes). The outline that is shown here is a formal outline, which is what most professors would ask for.
Steps to Making an Outline
Outlines are best built one layer or level at a time. The basic structures come first, which are the broadest of information. Then, the information gets more specific with every level.
Step 1 in making an outline all starts with the thesis statement and the questions generated from the brainstorming. These items are the backbone of all outlines. They create the most basic outline; that is they divide the introduction, body and conclusion of the text.
Step 2 in making an outline includes the supporting reasons. Supporting reasons are statements that reinforce the thesis statement. They explain the thesis statement. Spring 2019 ENG 201A Prof. Bookman 26
Step 3 in the outline process adds the major details. Major details are necessary information for the text to make sense. Major details further explain the supporting reasons.
Step 4 of making an outline focuses on the minor details. Minor details are not necessary for the text to make sense. Minor details add emphasis and extra information to the text.
Example of Outline Process
I. Introduction
- Background information
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 2
- Minor detail 1
- Major detail 1
- Thesis
II. Body
- Question 1
- Supporting reason 1
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 2
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 1
- Supporting reason 2
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 2
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 1
- Supporting reason 1
- Question 2
- Supporting reason
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 1
- Supporting reason 2
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 1
- Supporting reason
III. Conclusion
- Question 3
- Takeaway message 1
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 1
- Takeaway message 2
- Major detail 1
- Minor detail 2
- Major detail 1
- Concluding sentence
- Takeaway message 1
Final Thoughts
If the text can be envisioned in the outline, then it is easily written. This is the philosophy, which revolves around the idea that skipping steps means missed information somewhere in the process. The reason it is best to put everything in outline form is that there is no mistake as to which information needs more development because it is visually clear. If everything were in paragraphs, it would be much more difficult to see.