Creating Effective Outlines A Learning Enhancement Center Workshop

Outline of Presentation I. General Overview II. Getting Started A. Brainstorm B. Mind Map C. Thesis Statement III. Establishing a Pattern A. Types B. Sample Activity IV. The Formal Outline Structure A. Activity B. Answers V. Conclusion

Why Use Outlines? To show the logical structure of your paper or presentation. To show the logical structure of your paper or presentation. To help you organize your ideas. To help you organize your ideas. To help you separate main ideas from supporting ideas. To help you separate main ideas from supporting ideas.

Outlines are Flexible Outlines range from casual to formal. Outlines range from casual to formal. Your outline will change as your ideas change. Your outline will change as your ideas change.

Getting Started: Brainstorming List everything you can think of related to your subject. List everything you can think of related to your subject. Look at your list and jot down the main ideas. Look at your list and jot down the main ideas. Insert sub-points and examples under the main points. Insert sub-points and examples under the main points.

Getting Started: Mind Mapping Place your main idea in the middle of your paper. Place your main idea in the middle of your paper. Connect related ideas using lines. Connect related ideas using lines. There is software in the LEC that will help you with mind mapping! There is software in the LEC that will help you with mind mapping!

Getting Started: The Thesis Write the thesis (the main idea). Write the thesis (the main idea). Build an outline around the thesis. Build an outline around the thesis. Ask for a thesis handout from an LEC staff member. Ask for a thesis handout from an LEC staff member.

Arrange the ideas in your outline into a logical pattern. Chronological (order in time) Chronological (order in time) General to Specific General to Specific Least to Most Important Least to Most Important Problem-Solution Problem-Solution

Using your outline Use your outline to guide your writing or presentation! Use your outline to guide your writing or presentation! Fill with examples and more information about the points you want to make. Fill with examples and more information about the points you want to make.

The Formal Outline Structure I. Roman numerals are against the left margin of the page and contain the major divisions of a text. A. Upper-case letters are the first indentation and contain the secondary ideas that will support a major division in a text. 1. Arabic numerals are indented under 1. Arabic numerals are indented under upper-case letters. upper-case letters. 2. Arabic numerals contain important examples that support the writer’s 2. Arabic numerals contain important examples that support the writer’s ideas. ideas. a. Lower-case letters are indented a. Lower-case letters are indented under Arabic numbers. under Arabic numbers. b. Lower-case letters have specific b. Lower-case letters have specific details or an explanation of an details or an explanation of an example’s main points. example’s main points.

The Formal Outline Structure cont’d… B. Except for single examples of B. Except for single examples of specific points, individual divisions (I, II, III) specific points, individual divisions (I, II, III) generally have two or more sub generally have two or more sub points (A, B, C). points (A, B, C). II. Formal outlines contain more than one major division. major division. A. Each outline must have at least two A. Each outline must have at least two roman numerals (I, II). roman numerals (I, II). B. If there is an “A”, then there must be B. If there is an “A”, then there must be a “B” included as well. a “B” included as well.

Practice Outlining: Arrange the information below into an outline. Curious George Curious George Videos Videos Winnie the Pooh Winnie the Pooh E.T. E.T. Michael Jackson: Thriller Music Michael Jackson: Thriller Music Waterboy Waterboy Media Media Pink Floyd: The Wall Pink Floyd: The Wall Harry Potter Harry Potter The Titanic The Titanic Books Books Grateful Dead: Mars Hotel Grateful Dead: Mars Hotel

An Answer to the outline activity is on the next page. Note: The categories should fit the division, but it does not matter how the information is organized within the division. Note: The categories should fit the division, but it does not matter how the information is organized within the division.

Possible Answer I. Media A. Books 1. Curious George 2. Winnie the Pooh 3. Harry Potter B. Videos 1. Titanic 2. Waterboy 3. E.T. C. Music 1. Michael Jackson: Thriller 2. Pink Floyd: The Wall 3. Grateful Dead: Mars Hotel

Have fun creating effective outlines! For more information, ask an LEC learning assistant.

The Learning Enhancement Center is designed to serve the students of CCC. We are eager to be a facilitator of successful learning. Please let us know what your needs are, and we will design ways to meet them. Thank you for attending this workshop.