OUTLINING Why and How to Create a Useful Outline

What is an outline? A graphic organizer for information  Shows the order of various pieces of information  Shows the relative importance of each  Shows the relationship between the various parts  An outline is a sophisticated method of taking notes in an efficient manner.

Why create an outline? To make writing or studying easier To organize large amounts of information To study and learn information from a textbook

How do I create an outline? Read the information carefully and for understanding. Analyze the information to determine what is important  Not all information is important: You be the judge!  Ask yourself: “Is this piece of information important for me to remember?”  Some things that are important in your text book are the main ideas, vocabulary, formulas and italicized terms.

How do I create an outline? (cont’d) Organize the information  Determine the order of importance of the information (usually the way it is presented in the textbook)  Use phrases (use the least number of words, but keep the meaning)  Avoid using complete sentences  Do not copy – put in your own words.  Use outlining format

How do I create an outline? (cont’d) Required format  Roman Numerals: I, II, III, IV, (most general)  Upper Case Letters: A, B, C,  Arabic Numerals: 1, 2, 3,  Lowercase Letters: a, b, c,  Lowercase Roman Numerals: i, ii, iii, iv, v (most specific)  Entries come in pairs; If a 1. then a 2. If an a. then a b. etc.. (Does not apply to Roman numerals or Upper case letters.) Go from most general to most specific

Format Example I.First Main Topic (Section Title in your text – Darker Blue color) A. Use capital A, B, C for sub topics (Lighter BLUE in your text) 1. Important info on this part of the topic 2. More info a. more detail b. more detail i. Example ii. Example iii. Example II. Second Main Topic (Section Title)

Now, let’s start outlining Ch. 1 of your Physical Science Text Chapter 1. The World of Physical Science I. Exploring Physical Science A. That’s Science! 1. Science is: a. Being curious b. Making observations c. Asking questions about those observations 2. Science is all around us, everyday. We learn from experience. 3. Many branches of science  this book=“Physical Science”

B. Matter & Energy  Physical Science 1. Physical Science: study of matter and energy a. Matter=stuff everything is made of 1. Shoes, pencils, air 2. All matter has energy b. Energy=easier to describe than explain 1. If you throw a ball you give it energy 2. Food has energy Eat  energy transferred to you! 3. Moving objects have energy 4. All matter has energy (even if it is not moving) c. Physical Science —Two branches: Chemistry and Physics 1. Chemistry study of all forms of matter a. how they interact b. under conditions of temp and pressure 2. Physics study of energy and how it affects matter

C. Physical Science Is All Around You 1. Astronomy – explains what planets are made of 2. Meteorology – explains movement of air masses 3. Botany – explains how plants make food 4. Oceanography – explains waves and currents 5. Biology – explains how heart works 6. Ecology – explains transfer of energy in food chains D. Physical Science in Action 1. Careers in physical science a. auto mechanic – how a car engine works b. chef – how ingredients interact c. chemist – how medicines are made

Mrs. Blakemore’s Outlining Musts! 1. Include a title (the name of the chapter) on your outline. 2. Use Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) to indicate chapter sections. 3. Use Capital Letters (A, B, C) to indicate light blue titles in each section. 4. Indent to show increasing detail alternating numbers and letters. (I, A, 1. A, ii) 5. Line up like numbers and letters vertically when indenting. 6. Identify vocabulary words found in the chapters in some way. (Boldface, underline, italicize, etc…) 7. Details come in pairs. If there is an “1”, there should be a “2”; if there is a “a” there should be a “b”.