Scribd
Upload
170 views2 pages

Making An Outline

An outline is a formal system used to organize ideas and research for a paper. There are different types of outlines including scratch outlines, topic outlines, full sentence outlines, and paragraph outlines. Outlines are useful for determining if more research is needed, seeing relationships between points, checking a paper's organization, and reorganizing a paper with too many ideas. The document then describes how to make an outline and the key characteristics of each outline type.

Uploaded by

Abby Gail Tiongson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
170 views2 pages

Making An Outline

An outline is a formal system used to organize ideas and research for a paper. There are different types of outlines including scratch outlines, topic outlines, full sentence outlines, and paragraph outlines. Outlines are useful for determining if more research is needed, seeing relationships between points, checking a paper's organization, and reorganizing a paper with too many ideas. The document then describes how to make an outline and the key characteristics of each outline type.

Uploaded by

Abby Gail Tiongson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

OUTLINE

• is a formal system used to think about and organize your paper.

• can be useful for any paper to help you see the overall picture.

Occasions to Use Outlines

1. To organize ideas and research prior to beginning a paper

2. To determine if more research is needed

3. To see relationships between points

4. To check the organization of a paper

5. To reorganize a paper with too many ideas

Making an Outline

1. Identify the topic.

2. Identify the main categories.

3. Create the first category.

4. Create subcategories.

Types of Outline

The Scratch Outline

• It is usually used when you need an outline in a hurry.

• During essays tests, these outlines allow you to organize your ideas without spending vast amounts of
time on structure.

• These outlines also work for short papers, as in fewer than two pages.

• Instead of using a formal structure, students underline the main point or draw circles around their main
ideas, and they may also use other symbols to distinguish details or examples of their ideas.

• It does not have to resemble the formal topic, sentence, or paragraph outlines.

The Topic Outline

• It is the most commonly used outline.

• Although this type possesses the formal numeric and alphabetical structures, each line contains only a few
brief words to guide the writer during the drafting process.

• It is perfect for papers of all sizes and can be adapted easily if needed.

The Full Sentence Outline


• This type of outline is best reserved for completed drafts. Although it can be used when getting started,
writers have to spend significant time on this stage of the writing process.

• This form is ideal for checking organization in a finished draft. If you begin applying the Roman numerals
to your paper and you cannot reach the 1 and 2 level, then, you will see points of weakness in your draft.

The Paragraph Outline

• It is reserved for completed drafts and allows writers to check their paragraph organization.

• This works great for narrative papers or for papers when you have a substantial number of dates to keep
straight.

• This outline can be constructed two different ways.

• The first is to record your topic sentences, and you can see the relationship between your main
ideas.

• An alternative option is to write a one sentence summary of each paragraph, so you will be able
to see if your ideas come together.

You might also like