Study Skills Lesson 6 Outlines

Traditional Outlining Outlining is a great way to organize your thoughts prior to writing. You can also use it to record notes from a textbook. The main idea is listed on top and the supporting details are listed underneath. The main idea is marked by a number and the details are indented and marked with letters.

Example: Here is a paragraph about Paratroopers from a textbook. Look at the outline to see how the main ideas were expressed. I. What is a Paratroop? A. Groups of soldiers who parachute behind enemy lines. B. Given special training and equipment. C. Can enter enemy territory where foot soldiers cannot. II. Beginning of Paratroops A. Soviet Union first to train paratroops B. Germans used paratroops in capture of Poland and Holland What is a Paratroop? Paratroops have the most exciting mission in the army say some veteran paratroopers. Paratroops are groups of soldiers who are experts at parachuting behind enemy lines. They are given special training and equipment; during wars they can enter enemy territory in places that would be impossible or unsafe for foot soldiers. Though daring people in several countries had already developed parachuting and were using it to enter crowds, the Soviet Union was the first nation to train parachutists for military purposes. The Germans used paratroops to spy in preparation for their invasion of Poland and in their capture of Holland.

Practice: Read this paragraph and create an outline to highlight the important information. Robinson: A Talented Basketball Star David Robinson is regarded by some as the best center in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a center over seven feet tall, Robinson was rookie of the year in 1990, and has played on two U.S. Olympic Teams. Robinson plays for the San Antonio Spurs and has been chosen for the all-star team every year that he has played in the NBA. Education was important to David and his family. He even quit his 8 th grade basketball team so he could give his school first priority. Wanting a good college education, David studied at the U.S. Naval Academy. I. Talented Basketball Star A. B. II. Hard Working Student A. B.

Mapping Mapping is an outline in picture form. The main idea would be in a circle and the details branch off from the main idea. What is a Paratroop? Soldiers who parachute behind enemy lines Given special training and equipment Can go where foot soldiers cannot

Create Your Own Create a map for the section you outlined David Robinson

Try using these techniques to help you read your textbooks and to study. They are also good techniques for organizing your writing.