Outlining
Outlining
You should plan a paragraph before you write it to make sure that all of your ideas will fit.
Learning to outlining will improve your writing for three reasons.
First of all it will help you organize your ideas. Specifically, an outline will ensure that you won’t include any irrelevant ideas thst you won’t leave out any important points, and that your supporting sentence will be in logical order.
Second, learning to outline will help you write more quickly. It may take some practice at first, but once you become used to outlining your ideas before you start to write, you will be surprised at how fast you will actually be able to write. Preparing an outlining is 75 percent of the work. The actual writing become easier because you don’t have to worry about what you are going to say; you already have a well-organized plan to follow.
Finally, your grammar will improve because you will be able to concentrate on it, not on your thoughts or organization. Improved organization, speed, and grammar make learning to outlining well worth effort.
There are several outline forms that can be used ; Topic sentence, The main supporting points and a concluding sentence
What is Paragraph?
A paragraph is the basic unit of composition. It consists of a group of related sentences that develop one main idea. It has three main parts; an introduction, a body of the paragraph and a conclusion. In other words, it has a topic sentence, a few supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.
What is Unity in a Paragraph?
Unity in a paragraph means that the entire paragraph should focus on one single idea. The supporting details should explain the main idea. The concluding sentence should end the paragraph with the same idea. Thus, a unified paragraph presents a thought, supports it with adequate details and completes it with a conclusion.
How to Achieve Paragraph Unity
· To Achieve unity you must make all sentences in a paragraph relate to and support the central idea.
· Give each paragraph a controlling idea.
· Make all sentences in a paragraph support the main idea.
Example of Unity Paragraph :
(1) There are two main reasons why I have decided to attend Bingston University next year. (2) First of all, there is the question of money; Bingston's tuition is reasonable, and I don't even have to pay it all at once. (3) This is very important, since my father is not a rich man. (4) With Bingston's "deferred payment plan," my father will be able to pay my tuition without too much difficulty. (5) The second reason is the fine education which I feel I will receive there in agriculture, my chosen field. (6) It is a well-known fact that Bingston hires only the finest professors in its Agriculture Department. (7) Moreover, the university requires all agricultural students to gain practical experience by working on farms in the area while they are still going to school.
What is an Outline?
An outline is plan for your writing. It will include the main ideas and show how they are organised and then overall structure. It is often used for essays, in which case it will include elements of the introduction such as the thesis statement, an overview of each paragraph including the topic sentences and supporting ideas, and elements of the conclusion, for instance the summary. It can also be used for other types of writing such as reports.
What does an Outline Look like?
An outline can take many forms. The simplest form, recommended for exam essay writing when time is limited, comprises simply adding numbers and / or letters to ideas generated brainstorming so that you can put them in a logical order before writing. Most outlines, however, are written out in a linear way, using a format similiar to linear notes for reading or listening.
Why outline?
An outline will assist you in your writing for three main reasons.
1. It will help you organize your ideas.
· You won’t include irrelevant ideas.
· You won’t leave out important points.
· Your supporting sentences will be in logical order.
2. It will help you write more quickly
· It may take practice.
· Seventy-five percent of the work is done
· You won’t worry about what you are going to say
3. It will help you improve your grammar
· You will be to concentrate on it.
· Improved organization,speed, and grammar make learning to outline well worth the effort.
What are the features of a good outline?
In order to be effective, an outline will have the following three features.
- Parallel structure. Each heading and subheading should have the same form. In the example above, the three main ideas, labelled 1, 2 and 3, are all verbs ('Organise', 'Create' and 'Aid'). All points labelled i., ii. etc. are also verbs ('keep track', 'put in' etc.).
- Coordination. Each heading (and subheading) should have equal significance. In the example above, points labelled 1, 2 and 3 are all equal (they are the 'three main reasons'). Those labelled i., ii. etc. are the supporting details, and therefore equal in significance.
- Subordination. Headings should be more general, while subheadings should be more specific. In the example above, the headings are the main ideas, while the subheadings are the supporting details (and therefore more specific).
A detailed outline will also have the following feature.
- Division. Each heading should be divided into at least two parts.
How to Make An Outline?
How to Outline Non-Fiction
If you’re writing a blog post, a magazine article, or a non-fiction book, follow these steps to create a simple outline:
- Think of a tentative title that describes what you want to say, in a creative or highly effective way. You can always change it later, if necessary.
- Brainstorm a list of key points you need to cover to address your overall message.
- Jot a few notes under each of your key points, which you will later flesh out.
For example, when I wrote the article 6 Tips to Ease You Back Into Your Writing Routine, I (1) gave it a descriptive and helpful title, (2) decided on six key points I needed to cover, and (3) wrote one or two dot points under each key point to help me focus and keep on track as I filled in the meat of the article.
Once you have an outline like this in place, you can virtually leave your ideas hidden away for months and be able to pick them back up where you left off.
How to Outline Fiction
Outlining a short story or novel is different than outlining non-fiction writing.
- Write a one-sentence summary of your story.
- Decide on your major characters and their motivations/goals.
- List key scenes you will need to tell your story, including the climax and ending.
If you’re planning to write a novel, you can expand your outline with The Single Most Powerful Writing Tool You’ll Ever See That Fits On One Page.
There’s no end to the amount of planning you can do to prepare for writing a novel, but these steps are a good starting point to keep you from straying.