an outline is a way of organizing information. it uses key words or word groups to show main...

9th Grade Guide to Outlining

USING A HARVARD OUTLINE

Definition An outline is a way of organizing

information.

It uses key words or word groups to

show main topics, subtopics, details,

etc.

Task Analysis Task analysis is the process of

breaking apart a concept or task into basic steps.› Taking notes:

1. Have pencil/pen

2. Have a piece of paper or handout

3. Listen carefully to teacher

4. Jot down important information

5. Use phrases not sentences

Roman Numerals

Use Roman Numerals for identifying main

topics:

I = 1 VI = 6 (V + I = 6)

II = 2 (I + I = 2) VII = 7

III = 3 VIII = 8

IV = 4 ( I – V = 4) IX = 9 (I – X = 9)

V = 5 X = 10

L = 50; C = 100; D = 500; M = 1,000

Outline Format Main topics = Roman Numerals

Subtopics = Capital letters

Details = numbers

Sub-details = lower case numbers

Parallel structure is the format of an outline

using indentations to mark main topics,

subtopics, details, and sub-details.

Sample Outline Format (Title)I. Main Topic

A. Important subtopic

B. Important subtopic

1. Detail

a. sub-detail

b. sub-detail

2. Detail

a. sub-detail

b. sub-detail

II. Main Topic

A. Important subtopic

B. Important subtopic

1. Detail

2. Detail

General Rules Use a period after each Roman Numeral,

capital letter, number, and lower-case

letter Use capitalization after Main Topics, Subtopics

and Details. No need to capitalize after sub-details. Keep parallel structure!!! (That would be

indentation)

Task Analysis I. Outline process

A. Determine

1. Topic: title of Outline

2. Purpose

a. what do you want to accomplish

b. entertain, persuade, argue

3. Audience

a. who are you writing to

b. idea & content & word choice

B. Develop

1. Thesis

2. Optional blue print

Task Analysis I. Pre-Outline process

C. Brainstorming

1. List all details

2. Choose two or three of most important categories

D. Organize

1. Group related ideas/areas

2. List ideas into chosen categories

E. Order

1. Number ideas in order of importance

2. Determine sequencing to be used in paper

a. most important to least important

b. or least important to most important

Task AnalysisII. Writing the Outline

A. Topic = Title

1. Do not be creative

2. Everything on outline applies to title/topic

B. Thesis

1. Tells the reader what the essay/paper is about

2. Use a declarative sentence

a. must be an arguable statement

b. There is more to me that meets the naked eye.

3. Optional blue print

a. the specific points in essay to be discussed

b. Schools should use a standardized dress uniform for

economic and safety factors.

Task AnalysisIII. Organization of outline for essay

A. Outlines are adjustable

B. Use brief phrases or words

C. Main topic I = Introduction

1. Subtopic A = Includes attention grabber (hook)

2. Subtopic B = Background / concession

a. background is used in narrative

b. concession is used in argument

3. Subtopic C = Thesis with or without blueprint


D. Main Topic II = 1st point of blue print

1. Subtopic A = Transition / topic sentence

a. claim

2. Subtopic B, C, (D) = Evidence

a. details that back up evidence

b. use citation, facts, quotes

3. Subtopic ___ Conclusion for paragraph

a. Warrant: ties the evidence to the claim.


E. Main Topic III = 2nd point of blue print

1. Subtopic A = Transition / topic sentence

a. claim

2. Subtopic B, C, (D) = Evidence

a. details that back up evidence

b. use citation, facts, quotes

3. Subtopic ___ Conclusion for paragraph

a. Warrant: ties the evidence to the claim.

F. Main Topic IV = 3rd point of blue print (if needed)


G. Main Topic V = Conclusion

1. Subtopic A = restate thesis in a conclusive

style

2. Call to action (argument) OR

a. solution to problem

b. suggestions

3. Reflection

ExamplePrompt: In a narrative presentation, enlighten your teacher with who you are.

Topic: Maggie Orr

Purpose: Inform

Audience: 9th grade students

Brainstorm: Teacher Musician Drama Mother Daughter Sister Wifedas

EnglishDomino’s

SingerBroadway MusicalsCommunity Choir, ChurchHand bells, clarinet, pianoProfessionally recordedBucket list

High school drama awardAge 10CollegePlaywright

Family: youngest of 3 strict father educated parents culturally educated travel dogsKATIE Rick/Mike

Example Family Talent

Background: childhood Theater Birth family structure high school Characteristics of family collegeAdulthood: marriage Singing Rick genre Mike bucket listChildren: singing the National

Anthem Julia personality tragedy Katie circumstances

bond

Thesis: To know me is to understand the depth of circumstances in my life.

Ready to build outlineMaggie Orr

I. Introduction

A. “Life is like an onion; you must peel away

the layers and beware that you will shed

tears.”

1. Weeble: wobble but don’t fall down

2. Reality verses fantasy

B. Born 1961 around the time of the Cuba missile crisis.

1. Bayshore Long Island NY

2. Youngest of three children

3. Moved to Fountain Hills AZ 1976

C. Basic information; foundation

D. Thesis: To really understand who I am, one should understand the depth of the

circumstances that have molded my life.

II. Family influencesII. Family influences

A. The real foundation of my life is the influence of

family.

B. Parents

1. From Buffalo NY

2. Lived during the Depression; WWII

3. College educated

a. father engineering

b. mother music education

C. Siblings

1. Elizabeth Susan

a. eldest

b. National Honor Society

c. theater – stage manager

d. early marriage – eleven children

e. Boise, Idaho

f. finally two useless degrees: Renaissance History, Biology

Final reminders If you are placing a fact or detail into your

essay, it should be found in your outline. Edit your outline for spelling errors and

capitalization. Sub-details should relate to details;

details should relate to subtopics; subtopics should relate to main topics. Everything should relate to thesis.

PARALLEL STRUCTURE!

NARRATIVE OUTLINE

Prompt: Every person has many facets (sides or characteristics)to their lives that make them individuals; chose two facets and write a narrative essay.

Follow the task analysis steps to write your outline. Don’t skip any step; each step will be documented.

an outline is a way of organizing information. it uses key words or word groups to show main...

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