Outlining

Outlining

An outline is a document that briefly summarizes the information that will be included in a paper, book, speech, or similar document. It shows the order in which the information will be presented and indicates the relationship of the pieces of information to each other.

Outlines are important because not only do they allow you to map your thoughts into a coherent, logical organization, they also let you know early in the writing process if an idea for a paper, book, or other project just isn't going to pan out because you don't have enough supporting material or information or because the idea simply isn't sound. Moreover, outlines indicate early on whether you have left out important information or added superfluous ideas.

An outline presents a picture of the main ideas and the subsidiary ideas of any subject. Some typical uses of outlining are: a class reading assignment, an essay, a term paper, a book review or a speech. For any of these, an outline will show a basic overview and important details.

BASIC OUTLINE FORM

Below is a synopsis of the outline form. The main ideas take roman numerals. Sub-points under each main idea take capital letters and are indented. Sub-points under the capital letters, if any, take italic numbers and are further indented.

I. MAIN IDEA

A. Subsidiary idea or supporting idea to I

B. Subsidiary idea or supporting idea to I

1. Subsidiary idea to B

2. Subsidiary idea to B

a) Subsidiary idea to 2

b) Subsidiary idea to 2

II. MAIN IDEA

A. Subsidiary or supporting idea to II

B. Subsidiary idea to II

C. Subsidiary idea to II

III. MAIN IDEA

It is up to the writer to decide on how many main ideas and supporting ideas adequately describe the subject. However, if there is a I in the outline, there has to be a II; if there is an A, there has to be a B; if there is a 1, there has to be a 2, and so forth.

OUTLINING EXAMPLE

Suppose you are outlining a speech on AIDS, and these are some of the ideas you feel should be included: AZT, Transmittal, AIDS babies, Teenagers, Safe sex, Epidemic numbers, Research.

To put these ideas into outline form, decide first on the main encompassing ideas. These might be: I. Transmittal, II. Societal Consequences, III. Research.

Next, decide where the rest of the important ideas fit in. Are they part of AIDS transmittal or AIDS societal consequences or AIDS research solutions? The complete outline might look like this:

Major Aspects of Aids

I. Transmittal of AIDS

A. Transfusions

B. Body fluids

1. Sexual

2. Non-sexual

II. Societal Consequences of AIDS

A. Epidemic disease pattern

1. Teenagers

2. Women

3. Homosexuals

B. AIDS babies

C. Increased homophobia

D. Overburdened health care

III. Research Solutions to AIDS

A. AZT

B. HIV virus

C. Other viruses

It is only possible to make an outline if you have familiarity with the subject. Not only in the initial outline, but during the course of the research, the writer may find it necessary to add, subtract or change the position of various ideas. This is acceptable as long as the logical relationship among ideas is preserved.

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Assessing the Consequences of Smoking

The physical and medical consequences of smoking are numerous, and the extent and seriousness of smoking-related illness are shocking. More than 450,000 Americans die each year as a result of smoking. Between 3,000 and 5,000 more die as a result of exposure to smoke in the environment (known

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