Outlines That Work
Monday, August 12, 2013, 2:00 PM ET
Kyle Harley, Presenter
Kaplan University Writing Center
To view the recorded workshop, please click this link:
http://khe2.adobeconnect.com/p7e99gqojav/
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What is an Outline?
As complicated as one may well seem, an outline is a simple prewriting activity
that helps in assisting the writer organize their thoughts before they write their
first draft. Outlines cover all of core requirements for any given paper: an
introduction, key points known as „body paragraphs,‟ and finally a conclusion.
Within the outline itself rests various bits of important information geared
specifically toward the topic of choice, such as paraphrases and quotations, a
summation of the paragraph‟s ideas, and, more or less, an outline acts as a
road map for both readers and writers alike.
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Though outlines may look a little boring on a surface level, the benefits
drastically trump the simplistic look! Not only do outlines help to organize the
writer‟s thoughts, paragraphs, and, just as important, the research, a welldrafted outline also gives, again, both the writer and the reader a game plan for
drafting in the future.
Whenever I discuss outlines with a student that may find themselves a bit
confused, I always bring up the „connect-the-dots‟ activities that I used to love
when I was a child. The overall purpose of these puzzles requires children to
connect one dot to the next based on numerical value, ultimately ending with a
figure that, more often than not, ends up colored however our imagination
wants! This tracing, as you may have already imagined, acts as the outline of
your writing while the color to be added later acts as your additional support and
prose. All these years later you wonder to yourself, “What was the purpose of
those connect-the-dot books that I always used to mess around with?” Well,
now you at least have a reason as to why you used them so much!
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Forms of Writing
Though it may be hard to believe, writing is not generic in higher education; in
fact, there are very distinct forms, or „modes,‟ of writing that, depending on the
context and subject matter, may well end up being the better choice for the
writer if they know the differences!
Though a limited list, the following essay types, though only four in number,
highlight some of the most common forms of essays in higher education:
persuasive, informative, critical, and compare and contrast. Likewise, students
are expected to write reports, as well, which could include: feasibility, progress,
technical, and scientific reports.
The most important tip to remember when you are crafting an outline simply
boils down to one simple sentence: Outlines vary depending on the type of
paper you are writing. Think of it this way: You would not turn in a book report
for your dissertation!
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So with the typical requirements out of the way, here are some very basic tips
that often fall by the wayside with students—and they are the easiest to
remember, too!
Just as with most academic writing, conduct the preliminary research prior to
building an outline. If you already have ideas floating around in your head
before you begin the outline and cannot put pen to page, you will find that many
of the typical ailments with writing—Writer‟s Block, choppy sentences, illogical
flow—usually occur when the student is most confused. By doing research first
you are thereby giving yourself the best chance to avoid falling into one of the
aforementioned traps of writing!
Just as with doing the research before writing your outline, also be sure to craft
a thesis statement before you begin your outline, too. Whether we like to think it
or not, a great thesis statement comes from understanding the material enough
to pose your research question. Your research question, in simplified terms, is
nothing more than a question you would like to pose on the topic of your choice.
Though there are varying levels of research questions in terms of complexity
and how many the writer asks, the most important portion of the research
question is not in the question at all; instead, it is how the writer answers the
questions that helps shape the thesis statement. Due to this presentation
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having to be so short, I have included a link on this slide to our resource on
research questions and how they eventually lead to a well-developed thesis
statement. Check this out for more information!
Lastly, as if a motherly reminder in the writer‟s ear, always be sure to use only
one sentence per point on an outline. The outline should be seen as the
framework of your paper and not the polished product!
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Just as with the forms of writing, outlines, too, come a variety of forms!
Students most typically will face alphanumerical, full sentence, topic, and
decimal outlines the most during their collegiate career. It is important to be
able to distinguish between the varying forms, however, because professors do
not always suggest which type of outline you should create. If given the choice,
it is best to know what works best for a given context.
Additional information on these other forms of outlines, along with a video
tutorial, can be found by clicking our Writing an Outline link!
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Here we can see an example of an alphanumerical outline—this is often seen
as the most “common” outline format. Though different in appearance, the
outline, as you can see, includes a developed introduction that requires a thesis
statement and research, though there is only one, the key point is backed up by
the quotes or paraphrases from the preliminary research, and a conclusion is
also required to wrap items up.
Keep in mind here that the number of key points will vary between students.
Some topics require three to four key points, others range in the teens.
Introduction
a. Attention getting opening
b. Background information
c. Working thesis
II. First key point/topic sentence (body paragraph)
a. Quote or paraphrase from supporting research
b. Quote or paraphrase from supporting research
III. Second key point/topic sentence (body paragraph)
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a.
Quote or paraphrase from Supporting research
b.
Quote or paraphrase from supporting research
IV. Third key point/topic sentence (body paragraph)
a.
Quote or paraphrase from research
b.
Quote or paraphrase from supporting research
V. Conclusion
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Here we have a sample full sentence outline. You can see just by the structure
of this outline how conducting the research and developing the thesis statement
remain two top priorities before beginning. While there is no „right‟ way to do
these, I personally find that I bounce around my outline only after I have
conducted my research and developed my thesis statement. As a writer, you
are able to do this simply because, well, this is your work! If chalking up the
conclusion just after you finish the introduction works best for you, that is your
choice! Some people enjoy a linear track when completing their outlines, which
only means that they literally start at the beginning and finish with the
conclusion!
Outlines contain three important elements
1.
Introduction
2.
Body Paragraphs
3.
Conclusion
Your introduction should include
1.
Attention-grabbing sentence
2.
Background information
3.
Thesis statement
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What really separates outlines that follow this structure revolves around the use
of quotation and paraphrases as support. Not only is this extremely important to
help back up your claims as a writer, but this further helps sort the research into
its proper location. Trust me when I say that it is much easier to craft your
writing around the support of your research than the other way around. In fact,
let‟s conduct a very quick survey, and you can be honest with me—this is a safe
haven! How many of you actually do the research after you have already
started your paper? We can see how this is problematic. To be frank, before I
started my graduate career, I used to fall victim to conducting research as I
wrote, and, from experience, this did not show too kindly on my grades. Luckily
I figured out what the problem was early on and made some much needed
adjustments!
Outlines also require an explanation of the body paragraphs as seen below:
First key point
Quote or paraphrase from research that supports the first key point/topic
sentence.
Quote or paraphrase from research that supports the first key point/topic
sentence.
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Conclusion
Wrap up ideas.
Concluding statement.
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For purposes of time, I have included a link here that each of you can access at
any time you would like after the workshop is posted to our workshop page—I
will speak more on this later. Use this detailed outline as a focal point or
example of how a proper outline should look. Sample Full Sentence Outline
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With the example behind us, outlines really should not be looked at as pesky
assignment; instead, writers should be in love with outlines as they really do
help with the whole writing process—like I mentioned before, a well-developed
outline is a paper that is almost finished!
Even still, there are a few more „last minute‟ reminders to help you create the
best possible outline.
1.) Topic sentences should not be material you are citing from another source. I
see students start off with a quote more often than not and my response is
always the same: Why would a reader want to begin your work with the writing
from someone else? That seems counterintuitive. A simple way to combat this:
be creative with your topic sentences! The best way to ask if your topic
sentence needs some revision is to have others read your work. Do they
appear interested? If so, you are on the right track. If not, you may need to
approach the topic in a different manner. If you are in a bind, though, use my
technique for spicing up my papers. I always think back to comedic movies that
were passed my way based on recommendation. How many times have we all
thought to ourselves, “Is this going to be funny sometime this month?” Your
writing is exactly the same! Be sure to grab your reader‟s attention immediately.
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2.) Be sure to include some of your ideas, too! An outline is not all quotations
and catchy one-liners. An outline encompasses your work, too! After all, this is
your paper!
3.) Be sure to cite your sources! If you follow the model provided, it becomes
rather difficult to forget! If you cite it correctly now, when 11:57 PM rolls around
on the clock and you have two minutes to submit, you will thank me—I promise
you!
4.) Include a reference page. Again, harping back on the last point made, you
will thank me if this is done prior to the night of the assignment being due!
5.) Lastly, keep your points limited to one sentence. Though I continually say
that a well-developed outline is a paper that will write itself, that is only as true
as you want it to be. By leaving some area open for exploration as you conduct
more research and navigate through writing the paper, the best tactic is to have
a game plan and then make that plan a reality!
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What Else You Can Do:
Come to the Writing Center! We offer two amazing services that will give you an
extra set of eyes on your paper.
1.
Paper Review.
2.
Live Tutoring.
We also have an abundant amount of resources at your disposal. Use them!
They work wonders and really are helpful when in a tight spot!
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The best time to do a paper review in the Kaplan University Writing Center is
after you have written your first draft. When you come to us early, we can help
you the most by helping you with the structure of your paper. Many students
send papers at the last minute because they want us to simply proofread their
paper. However, KUWC writing tutors do not simply proofread the paper for
you; we want to help you learn to write and proofread your own papers. Since
you can come to the Writing Center 6 times a term, you can submit a first draft,
then submit a later draft if you need further help on an assignment.
If you need help before you write the first draft, you can use live tutoring. During
live tutoring, you can ask questions and brainstorm with a tutor. Live tutors can
help you with other stages in the paper writing process as well. Come visit us.
We can be found under the My Studies tab, then under Academic Support
Center.
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On the main Academic Support Center page, you will see the Writing Center
links. These include Live Tutoring, Paper Review Service, the Writing
Reference Library, Citation Guidelines, Workshops, English Language Learner,
and Fundamental writing help. Notice, you can access the Kaplan Guide to
Successful Writing on the right hand side in both print and audio form. Come
visit us.
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On the main Academic Support Center page, you will see the Writing Center
links. These include Live Tutoring, Paper Review Service, the Writing
Reference Library, Citation Guidelines, Workshops, English Language Learner,
and Fundamental writing help. Notice, you can access the Kaplan Guide to
Successful Writing on the right hand side in both print and audio form. Come
visit us.
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Contact Information
Melody Pickle [email protected]
[email protected]
Workshops are recorded and recording links, with an accompanying
PowerPoint, are posted on the Writing Center Workshop page 2 business days
after the workshop.
Additional Kaplan University Writing Center Resources
Introductory Video
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