Developing an OutlineDeveloping an Outline

ENG 102: WP #2 / Checkpoint #4ENG 102: WP #2 / Checkpoint #4

An outline is …An outline is …

A logical, general description A logical, general description A schematic summary A schematic summary An organizational pattern An organizational pattern A visual and conceptual design of A visual and conceptual design of

your writing your writing An outline reflects logical thinking An outline reflects logical thinking

and correct classification.and correct classification.

PURPOSEPURPOSE

Generally aids you in the process Generally aids you in the process of writing of writing

Particularly helps organize your Particularly helps organize your ideas ideas

Presents your material in a logical Presents your material in a logical form form

Shows the relationship of ideas in Shows the relationship of ideas in your writing your writing

Constructs an ordered overview of Constructs an ordered overview of your writing your writing

Defines boundaries and groupsDefines boundaries and groups

PROCESS: PROCESS: Before you beginBefore you begin

Determine the purpose of Determine the purpose of your paper. your paper.

Determine the thesis of your Determine the thesis of your paper. paper.

Determine the audience you Determine the audience you are writing for. are writing for.

PROCESS: ThenPROCESS: Then

Brainstorm - List all the ideas you want Brainstorm - List all the ideas you want to include in this writing. to include in this writing.

Organize - Group ideas together that are Organize - Group ideas together that are related to each other. related to each other.

Order - Divide this material into groups Order - Divide this material into groups arranging from the general to the arranging from the general to the specific, or from abstract to concrete. specific, or from abstract to concrete.

Label - Create main and subtopic Label - Create main and subtopic headings and write coordinate levels in headings and write coordinate levels in parallel form.parallel form.

THEORYTHEORY

An outline has a balanced An outline has a balanced structure which uses the structure which uses the principles of principles of

Coordination Coordination Subordination Subordination DivisionDivision ParallelismParallelism

PARALLELISMPARALLELISM

Coordinate heads should be Coordinate heads should be expressed in parallel formexpressed in parallel form

Nouns should be made parallel Nouns should be made parallel with nouns, verb forms with verb with nouns, verb forms with verb forms, adjectives with adjectives, forms, adjectives with adjectives, and so onand so on

Logical and clear writing should Logical and clear writing should not be sacrificed simply to not be sacrificed simply to maintain parallelism maintain parallelism

Reasonableness and flexibility of Reasonableness and flexibility of form is preferred to rigidityform is preferred to rigidity

Examples of ParallelismExamples of Parallelism

Nouns - computers, Nouns - computers, programs, usersprograms, users

Verbs - to compute, to Verbs - to compute, to program, to useprogram, to use

Adjectives - home Adjectives - home computers, new programs, computers, new programs, experienced usersexperienced users

COORDINATIONCOORDINATION

Items of equal significance have Items of equal significance have comparable numeral or letter comparable numeral or letter designationsdesignations

An A is equal a B, a 1 to a 2, an a An A is equal a B, a 1 to a 2, an a to a b, etc.to a b, etc.

Coordinates should be seen as Coordinates should be seen as "having the same value" "having the same value"

Coordination enables the writer to Coordination enables the writer to maintain coherent and consistent maintain coherent and consistent documentsdocuments

Coordination ExamplesCoordination Examples

Correct coordinationCorrect coordination A. Word processing programs A. Word processing programs B. Data base programs B. Data base programs C. Spreadsheet programs C. Spreadsheet programs Incorrect coordinationIncorrect coordination A. Word processing programs A. Word processing programs B. B. MS Word for WindowsMS Word for Windows C. C. ThinkTankThinkTank

SUBORDINATIONSUBORDINATION

In order to indicate relevance, that is levels In order to indicate relevance, that is levels of significance, an outline uses major and of significance, an outline uses major and minor headingminor heading

Organize material from general to specific Organize material from general to specific or from abstract to concreteor from abstract to concrete

The more general or abstract the concept, The more general or abstract the concept, the higher the level or rank in the outlinethe higher the level or rank in the outline

This principle allows material to be This principle allows material to be ordered in terms of logic and requires a ordered in terms of logic and requires a clear articulation of the relationship clear articulation of the relationship between component parts used in the between component parts used in the outline.outline.

Subdivisions of a major division should Subdivisions of a major division should always have the same relationship to the always have the same relationship to the whole.whole.

Subordination ExamplesSubordination Examples

Correct subordinationCorrect subordinationA. Word processing programs A. Word processing programs 1. 1. TextraTextra 2. 2. Word PerfectWord Perfect B. Thought processors B. Thought processors 1. 1. ThinktankThinktank 2. 2. THORTHOR

Faulty subordinationFaulty subordinationA. Word processing programs A. Word processing programs 1. 1. MS Word for WindowsMS Word for Windows 2. Useful 2. Useful 3. Obsolete3. Obsolete

DIVISIONDIVISION

To divide, use at least two parts.To divide, use at least two parts. There can never be an A without a There can never be an A without a

B, a 1 without a 2, an a without a B, a 1 without a 2, an a without a b, etc. b, etc.

Usually there is more than one Usually there is more than one way to divide parts.way to divide parts.

When dividing, use only one basis When dividing, use only one basis of division at each rank and make of division at each rank and make the basis of division as sharp as the basis of division as sharp as possible.possible.

Division ExamplesDivision Examples

Example 1: CorrectExample 1: CorrectA. Microcomputers hardware A. Microcomputers hardware 1. Types 1. Types 2. Cost 2. Cost B. Microcomputers software B. Microcomputers software

1. Pre-installed1. Pre-installed 2. User installed2. User installed

Example 2: IncorrectExample 2: IncorrectA. Computers A. Computers 1. Micro 1. Micro a. Floppy Disk a. Floppy Disk b. Hard disk b. Hard disk B. Computer Uses B. Computer Uses 1. Institutional 1. Institutional 2. Personal2. Personal

TYPES OF OUTLINESTYPES OF OUTLINES

An outline can use An outline can use

TOPICTOPIC

OROR

SENTENCESENTENCE

structurestructure

TOPIC OUTLINESTOPIC OUTLINES

Use words or phrases for all Use words or phrases for all entriesentries

Use no punctuation after Use no punctuation after entries entries

Advantages - present brief Advantages - present brief overviews of workoverviews of work

Are generally easier and Are generally easier and faster to write than a sentence faster to write than a sentence outlinesoutlines

SENTENCE OUTLINESSENTENCE OUTLINES

Use complete sentences for Use complete sentences for all entriesall entries

Use correct punctuation Use correct punctuation Advantages - present more Advantages - present more

detailed overviews of work detailed overviews of work including possible topic including possible topic sentencessentences

Are easier and faster for Are easier and faster for writing the final paperwriting the final paper

FORMFORM

The most important rule The most important rule for outlining form is for outlining form is to to be consistentbe consistent..

CREDITSCREDITS

The information for this The information for this PowerPoint presentation comes PowerPoint presentation comes from Purdue University English from Purdue University English Department’s Online Writing Lab Department’s Online Writing Lab (OWL)(OWL)

There are many useful handouts There are many useful handouts for academic writers there.for academic writers there.

http://http://owl.english.purdue.eduowl.english.purdue.edu//