ENGL000: Pre-College English

2.4: Outlines

• 2.4.1: Outline Basics

  • The Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: Joe Schall's "Outlines" Page

    You have already learned about different prewriting techniques to help you develop your ideas for crafting an argumentative paragraph or an essay. Now you will learn about the important prewriting step of creating an outline. This resource will teach the basics of what it outline is, why it’s useful, and how to get started outlining an essay. 
    

  • The Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: Joe Schall's "Sample Outline" Page

    Before you begin practicing making outlines to support your own writing, follow this link to see a sample outline. This is just one model of a successful outline; as you will see in the following activities, the basic principles for creating effective outlines can be applied differently in any number of writing contexts.
    

• 2.4.2: How to Outline

  • Writing for Success, v.1.0: "Chapter 8, Section 2: Outlining"

    In Subunit 1.4 you practiced prewriting techniques to develop a paragraph about one of three topics: Why do dogs make great pets? Should children be given chores? or Which holiday is your favorite? In preparation for learning about outlines, review your notes from Subunit 1.4. 

    In the following activity you will create a sample outline based on the prewriting you have done on one of these topics. You may build on the prewriting work you have already completed, or you may want to spend a few minutes prewriting on one of the topics you did not explore in the previous unit. 

    Once you have selected a topic and completed a prewriting activity, read this chapter about developing an outline. After reading through the article once, choose one of the outline types described in the reading and create outline for an essay on the topic you have chosen.

• 2.4.3: Types of Outlines

  • Boundless Communication: "Chapter 10, Section 1: Principles of Organization: Components of a Speech: Main Points, Introduction, Conclusion, and Transitions"

    The previous activity asked you to develop a sample outline for an argumentative essay. Outlines can be used to develop many different kinds of writing. While the basic principles of outlines apply to many writing contexts, the way you apply those principles will be different depending on the type of writing you are producing. Follow this link to learn about creating outlines for a speech. Once you have read the material, spend a few minutes reflecting on what you have learned in this subunit so far. Consider questions like: 

    • In your own words, how would you describe the purpose of an outline?
      
    • What are some similarities and differences between an outline for an argumentative essay and an outline for a speech?
      
    • Have you used outlines to develop your writing in the past? Do you plan to use them in the future?