Module 1

Lesson
Outlines Reading texts in
5 Various Discipline
The writing process can be stressful, especially when you don’t know where
to start. That’s why you need to begin with an outline.
An outline is simply a framework for presenting the main and supporting ideas
for a particular subject or topic. Outlines help you develop a logical, coherent
structure for your paper, making it easier to translate your ideas into words and
sentences. Once your outline is complete, you’ll have a clear picture of how you
want your paper to develop.

What’s In
 Outline? What outline? I am not going to do an outline. I do not need to write an
outline. That would be a huge mistake. Many writers, not just technical writers, skip
this all important step. Why is outlining so important?

Let Us Know the Difference

Outlining and Summarizing are two important skills for reading and understanding
texts. Before we start digging into creating an outline, let’s have a brief discussion on
the difference of outline and summary. This will help you analyze the difference from
one to other.

Outline Defined:
An outline is a summary that gives the essential features of a text.
It shows how the parts of a text are related to one another as parts of that are
equal importance, or sections that are subordinate to a main idea. 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.

How do we create an
outline?

To create an outline:
1. Place your thesis statement at the beginning.
2. List the major points that support your thesis. Label them in Roman
Numerals (I, II, III, etc.).
3. List supporting ideas or arguments for each major point. Label them in
capital letters (A, B, C, etc.).
4. If applicable, continue to sub-divide each supporting idea until your outline
is fully developed. Label them 1, 2, 3, etc., and then a, b, c, etc.

What kinds of outlines are there? The two main types of outlines are the topic
outline and the sentence outline.
Topic outline lists words or phrases it arranges your ideas hierarchically
(showing which are main and which are sub-points), in the sequence you
want, and shows what you will talk about.
Several aspects must be considered in writing a topic outline.
 Recall that all headings and subheadings must be words or phrases, not
sentences.
 Also, the wording within each division must be parallel.
 Finally, as in any outline, remember that a division or subdivision cannot be
divided into one part; therefore, if there is an "A" there must be a "B," and if
there is a "1" there must be a "2."

Example of Topic Outline

I. Family Problems
      A. Custodial: Non-custodial Conflicts
      B. Extended Family
      C. Adolescent's Age
II. Economic Problems
      A. Child Support
      B. Women's Job Training
      C. Lower Standard of Living
      D. Possible Relocation
         1. Poorer Neighborhood
         2. New School
III. Peer Problems
      A. Loss of Friends
      B. Relationships with Dates
A sentence outline lists complete sentence, it shows exactly what you will
say about each mini-topic. Each sentence, instead of simply identifying a mini-
topic, is like a mini-thesis statement about that mini-topic. It expresses the
specific and complete idea that that section of the paper will cover as part of
proving the overall thesis.
Pointers in writing a sentence outline:
 Each roman numeral (I, II, III, IV…) indicates the start of a new paragraph. So
I. is the first sentence of the introduction, II. is the first sentence of the first
paragraph of the body, III. is the first sentence of the second paragraph of the
body, and so on.
 Each capital letter (A, B, C, D…) indicates a main point within the structure of
the paragraph. So in our introduction, A. is the attention getter, B. is another
attention getter, C. describes a point that makes the topic personal, and D. is
the thesis statement.
 Each Arabic numeral (1, 2, 3, 4…) indicates a sentence or piece of supporting
evidence for each main point. So in the first body paragraph (II.), point A. is a
general statement that needs some additional support, so 1. provides a
supporting statement of fact and the citation of where that information came
from. 2. provides another sentence with supporting evidence.

Example of a full-sentence outline:

Warming Our World and Chilling Our Future
Thesis Statement: Today I want to share what I have learned about global warming
and its causes.
I. Global warming is alive and well and thriving in Antarctica.
      A. In winter 1995, an iceberg the size of Rhode Island broke off.
      B. In October 1998, an iceberg the size of Delaware broke off.
      C. All of us have a lot at stake.
            1. Now, I am what you call a “country mouse.”
            2. I love the outdoors.
            3. You can be a “city mouse,” and like clean air, good water, and not having
to worry about sun.
      D. Today I want to share what I have learned about global warming and its
causes.
II. Global warming is a gradual warming of the Earth from human activities (citation).
      A. It is characterized by a high concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
            1. Each year five tons of CO2 are pumped into the atmosphere (citation).
            2. The carbon dioxide traps heat.
            3. 1998 set temperature records (citation).
      B. Carbon pollutants also eat a hole in the ozone layer (citation).
            1. In 1998 this hole set a size record.
            2. This allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach Earth.
      C. If this problem is not corrected; we may see disastrous results (citation).
            1. There could be dramatic climate changes.
                  a. There could be drought in the middle of continents.
                  b. There could be many severe storms.
                  c. There could be rising sea levels that would destroy coastal areas.
            2. There could be serious health problems.
                  a. There could be an increase in skin cancer.
                  b. There could be an increase in cataracts.
                  c. There could be damaged immune systems.
      D. Now that you understand what global warming is and why it is important, let’s
examine its major causes.
III. The loss of woodlands adds to global warming (citation).
IV. Industrial emissions accelerate global warming (citation).
V. Personal energy consumption magnifies global warming (citation).
VI. In conclusion, if you want to know why we have global warming, listen for the
falling trees, watch the industrial smokestacks darkening the sky, and smell the
exhaust fumes we are pumping into the air.
        A. Gore told a story on how global warming can sneak up on us.
        B. Addressing the National Academy of Sciences, the vice president said, “If
dropped into a pot of boiling water….”
A. The more we know about global warming, the more likely we are to
jump and the less likely we are to be cooked.

Notice all that the above outline

accomplishes: The main ideas/paragraphs of the
essay have been grouped into an order that makes
sense; the main idea behind each paragraph is
 identified along with the support that will be
offered. Essentially, the essay is completely
organized. Now the writer can simply follow the
outline and turn each idea into a paragraph by
expanding on the details that are present.
While creating an outline such as this will
take a small amount of time, the time put into
creating this outline should result in saving even
more time during the writing phase. If following the
outline, the writer should not get stuck wondering
what comes next or how to expand upon an idea.
 

What’s More: Assessment

Activity 1
A. Read the following essay and create a topic and a sentence outline for its
content. Be sure to include the major details and the main idea. (20pts.)

Becoming a Landscape Architect

If you've chosen a career in landscaping, you're in luck! Landscaping is one of
the fastest-growing career fields today with more people looking into programs in
landscape architecture than ever before.
First of all, what does a landscape architect do? These professionals are
responsible for planning and designing parks, areas around highways, personal
properties, industrial and corporate sites, as well as housing subdivisions.
Landscape architects can choose from a variety of areas to specialize in, helping
them find the type of locations and projects that suit their interests and lifestyle.
What about the pay? You may be pleased to learn that the average pay for
landscape architects is between $50,000 and $60,000 a year, depending on
education, job type, and location. Pay, of course, will also depend on your
experience. Those interested in this career will need to find a good educational
program that sets up internships and cooperative experiences that provide hands-on
experience that will be invaluable when searching for a job.
Are you wondering how to get started? The first step is to look at
requirements posted on job advertisements. Attending a good program at an
accredited school is a must. You will also need to learn about the different tests or
exams you will be required to take to become licensed or certified to work as a
landscape architect. 
Finding a career that is right for you takes time and determination. If you enjoy
working in a design field and being outdoors, you may have found your match as a
landscape architect.

I.  Main Idea: _____________________

      A. ___________________________
           i. _________________________
           ii._________________________
           iii._________________________
           iv._________________________
           v. _________________________
      B. ___________________________
           i. _________________________
           ii. _________________________
       C.___________________________
           i.__________________________
           ii. _________________________
           iii. _________________________

What I Have Learned.

Activity 2

B. Read each paragraph. Then fill in the blanks in the outlines that follow. (10pts.)
What makes an effective leader? To be sure, no one characteristic or trait
defines an effective leader. It is true, however, that effective leaders get the most out
of employees or group members by holding them to very high standards or
expectations. Setting high standards increases productivity because people tend to
live up to the expectations set for them by superiors. This is an example of the
Pygmalion effect, which works in a subtle, often unconscious way. When a
managerial leader believes that a group member will succeed, the manager
communicates this belief without realizing that he or she is doing so. Conversely,
when a leader expects a group member to fail, that person will not usually disappoint
the manager. The manager’s expectation of success or failure becomes a self-
fulfilling prophecy. Thus, it pays for a manager to expect the best from employees.
(Adapted from Andrew J. DuBrin, Leadership 4/e, © Cengage Learning.)
Main Idea: _______________________________________________.
Support: 1. People are likely to live up to a manager's or superior's
expectations.
2. ________________________________________________.
3. _________________________________________________.

What I Can Do

Activity 3

Organizing a Scrambled Outline

This exercise provides an opportunity to work actively with the principles of
organization discussed in this module. Your task is to unscramble the following
statements and create an outline. (20pts.)

Friendship
1. We develop an acquaintanceship.
2. Friendship is an interpersonal relationship between two persons that is
characterized by mutual positive regard.
3. We meet.
4. In order to understand friendships we need to see what a friendship is and its
stages of development.
5. Friendship is one of the most important of our interpersonal relationships.
6. We develop an intimate friendship.
7. Friendships develop through various stages.
8. Friendships don’t develop full blown but rather go through various stages—from
the initial meeting to intimate friendship.
9. We develop a casual friendship.
10. By understanding friendship we will be in a better position to develop and
maintain productive and enjoyable friendships.
11. Friendship—an interpersonal relationship characterized by mutual positive
regard—is one of our most important assets.
12. We develop a close relationship.
13. Friendship is vital to all of us.

Suggestion: Make a draft before the final outline.