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Outlining A Text-STUDENT
Outlining A Text-STUDENT
Outline establishes the “shape” that essay will take. The outline should be a reflection of an
essay’s thesis statement, and in turn, will guide the writer as to what details are supposed to be
included in an essay. It may also help a writer establish unity and coherence in his or her
presentation of ideas. By unity, we mean that all information found in an essay speak of the
thesis statement, and by coherence, we mean that the ideas in an essay are logically are
logically arranged.
Below is a synopsis of the outline form. The main ideas take roman numerals. Sub-points
under each main idea take capital letters and are indented. Sub-points under the capital letters,
if any, take italic numbers and are further indented.
I. MAIN IDEA
A. Subsidiary idea or supporting idea to I
B. Subsidiary idea or supporting idea to I
1. Subsidiary idea to B
2. Subsidiary idea to B
a. Subsidiary idea to 2
b. Subsidiary idea to 2
II. MAIN IDEA
A. Subsidiary or supporting idea to II
B. Subsidiary idea to II
C. Subsidiary idea to II
III. MAIN IDEA
It is up to the writer to decide on how many main ideas and supporting ideas
adequately describe the subject. However, if there is a I in the outline, there has to be II; if there
is an A, there has to be a B; if there is 1, there has to be 2 and so forth.
Sample Outline 1
Sample Outline 2
2. Body
A. Weight control
1. Aids self-control
2. Burns calories
3. Encourages a healthy diet
4. Suppresses appetite
B. Muscular Development
1. Improves tone
2. Enhances contours
3. Increases strength
4. Improves endurance
C. Psychological Well-being
1. Aids sleep
2. Inhibits depression
3. Intensifies vitality
D. Cardiovascular Fitness
1. Strengthen heart
2. Lowers blood pressure
3. Changes blood lipids
4. Improves circulation
Exercises
Direction. Read through the texts. Then, complete the outline for each text.
Science
Life processes involve a continuous flow of energy within a cell, from one cell to another,
and from one organism to another. The study of energy transformation in living organisms is called
bioenergetics.
There are three main types of energy transformation that occur in the biosphere. In the first
type, solar energy is captured by the green pigment called chlorophyll, in green plants and is
transformation is called cellular respiration. His involves the conversion of chemical energy of
carbohydrates and other molecules into phosphate bonds. The third type of energy
transformation occurs when the chemical energy of these phosphates bonds is utilized by the cells
to do work.
The branch of physics that deals with energy and its transformation is called
thermodynamics. Its principles are universally applied to chemical processes in both living and
non-living organisms.
B. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
A. Solar Energy
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
A. Pleasant environment
1. Friendly customers
2. __________________
a. Helpful co-workers
b. Flexible hour
c. Holiday bonus
B. Good schedule
1. Short shifts
2. __________________
a. Helpful co-workers
b. Flexible hour
c. Holiday bonus
C. Good pay
1. Generous Tips
2. ___________________
a. Helpful co-workers
b. Flexible hour
c. Holiday bonus
QUIZ
Direction. The major and minor details are mixed together in the two groups that follow.
The major details in each group support a given main idea. Separate the major from the minor
details by filling in the outline.
Surprise Quizzes
A great deal of writing
Three major tests
Many tests
Term paper
Several Novels
Several short stories
Extensive reading loads
Frequent writing assignments
Written summaries of articles assigned
Reading magazines and newspapers articles
Comprehensive final exam
Major Detail
1. ______________________________________________________
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
Minor Details c. _________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________
Major Detail a. _________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
Minor Details c. __________________________________________________
ASSIGNMENT
Select two or three chapters from other textbooks in natural and social sciences, and
prepare an outline for each. Make sure your output adheres to the conventions of outlining
discussed in the lesson.