English for Academic

and
Professional Purposes

Outlining Reading Texts

in Various Disciplines
 Dictionary.com defines an outline as
the essential feature or main aspect of

What is
discussion. According to
learners.dictionary.com, an outline is a
written list or description of the most

an
important parts of an essay. An outline
refers to a draft that summarizes the
main points of an article or a writing

Outline?
project. It is in the form of a list divided
into main topics, sub-topics, and
supporting details. It enables a writer to
classify the main points and supporting
details of an essay or article.
Presentation title 2
 Steps in Outlining
1. Choose a topic and create a thesis statement for your essay or article
2. Determine the type of outline you want to use
3. Prepare a list of main ideas including your references
4. Organize the ideas
5. Expand your ideas
6. Review your outline

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Make sure that your outline includes all main ideas and
supporting details. It is important that all the ideas and
supporting details are related to one another. An essay outline
helps a writer to focus on the topic, organize the ideas and
attain concise writing output.
The three types of outline are ALPHANUMERIC OUTLINE,
SENTENCE OUTLINE, AND TOPIC OUTLINE.
1. Alphanumeric outline has a prefix in the form of letters and numbers
at the beginning of each topic. It is the common type of outline.
2. Sentence outline is a hierarchical outline that contains sentence.
3. Topic outline is a hierarchical outline that contains words or phrases.
 Example: Expository Essay Outline
I. Introduction
A. General Information about the topic

Example of B. Thesis Statement

II. Topic Sentence I

an
C. Supporting details
1. Detail/Example
2. Detail/Example

Alphanu- 3. Detail/Example
B. Supporting details

meric 4. Detail/Example
5. Detail/Example

Outline
6. Detail/Example
III. Topic Sentence 2
A. Supporting details
1. Detail/Example
2. Detail/Example
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 B. Supporting details
1. Detail/Example
2. Detail/Example

Example of 3. Detail/Example
IV. Concluding Paragraph

an A. Re-state Thesis Statement

B. Summary of the Main Point

Alphanu-
meric
Outline
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 Introduction: Importance of Philosophy
Thesis Statement: Philosophy enables a person to
engage in critical thinking, improve problem-solving
skills, acquire wisdom and attain self-development.

Example I. Engagement in critical thinking

A. Being critical of own ideas

of a
B. Critical thinking skills
II. Problem-solving and decision-making skills
C. Analyze a problem or dilemma

Topic D. Identify solutions to the problem

III. Engagement in critical thinking

Outline
E. Acceptance of new and different ideas
F. Make good choices and judgement
V. Self-development
G. Knowing oneself
H. Inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection
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 Individual Activity: Reading Comprehension
Questions

1. What is the thesis statement of the

article?

2. Does exercising freedom require

responsibility?

3. What are the three kinds of freedom?

4. What are the two elements of freedom?

5. How can you exercise freedom

responsibly?
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 Group Activity:

Create a sentence
outline and a topic
outline of the article
“Freedom of the
Human Person.” Use
a yellow paper for
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your answer. 10