Name: ___________________________________________
Writers Workshop: Outlining
Outlining: Organizing and Planning Writing Ideas
For any writing task, may it be writing a story, composing an essay, or
simply answering open-ended response questions, good writers take
the time to outline or plan their writing ideas by identifying their
answer to the question asked and to plan what details, evidence,
and examples they will use for support.
An outline is similar to a cooking recipe: the outline shows the points,
examples, and details the writer needs to bring together to create a
full writing piece. Just like a recipe is not the actual cookie, an outline
is not the complete writing piece.
Types of Organizers Writers May Use for an Open-Ended Response
Box and Bullets
Box: This is where your answer/point/main idea/thesis/argument goes.
• Bullet: Your first supporting reason
-
An example or important detail to help explain or prove your reason
• Bullet: Your second supporting reason
-
An example or important detail to help explain or prove your reason
Five-Square Organizer
Main Idea/Answer/Point/Thesis/Argument is placed in the top box.
Supporting Reason/Point #1:
Supporting Reason/Point #2:
-
Detail to help explain
-
Detail to help explain
-
Example to help explain
-
Example to help explain
Supporting Reason/Point #3: (Optional)
-
Detail to help explain
-
Example to help explain
Concluding Sentence
-
Strong transitions + reinforce main idea
Model Outline: Box and Bullets
Writer’s Reflection Question #2:
Which stage of the writing process do you feel was most significant to producing your best final draft?
Why?
Prewriting
• Planned out how my story will work
- Example: Five-square organizer to identify my plot moments
*This is important because…
- Example: Partner conference
*This is important because…
• Distinguished where I would use certain writing techniques
- Example: Techniques added to organizer
*This is important because…
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Features to Notice about the Organizer:
-
Box identifies my main point/answer to the question
Each bullet represents a supporting reason
Each dash is an example (either from my draft or my experience) I can use to help explain
my point
No full sentences!
Model Outline: Five-Square Organizer
Writer’s Reflection Question #2:
Which stage of the writing process do you feel was most significant to producing your best final draft?
Why?
Main Idea: Prewriting
Point #1: Planned out how my story will work
- Example: Five-square organizer
*This is important because…
Point #2: Distinguished where I would use certain
writing techniques
- Example: Techniques added to organizer
*This is important because…
- Example: Partner conference
*This is important because…
Concluding:
Overall, prewriting was the writing stage in
which I completed the most significant work to
produce the best version of my final draft.
Features to Notice about the Organizer:
-
Top box represents my main idea (my basic answer)
Each smaller box represents a supporting point to my main idea
Each dash within the boxes is an example (either from my draft or my experience) I can use
to help explain my point
No full sentences (complete) are contained in my main idea and points 1 and 2.
Shaded box appears because I don’t have a third point to make. If I had a third supporting
point, I would plan for it here.
Concluding box holds my ending sentence, which reinforces my main idea