Outlining

is representing ideas in general

terms.
helps remember major ideas.
helps organize thoughts and
writing plans.
saves writer's time.
imposes control to writing
objective.

Types of Outlines
Sentence outline (SO)

In SO, ideas are complete sentences.

SO formulates clear ideas.

SO remains clear if left for a long time.

SO may become cumbersome.
Topic outline (TO)

Using phrases to outline ideas
Advantages: shortness
Disadvantages: lack of clarity
Mixed outlining (MO)
Expresses major topics sentence outline.
TO for minor topics

The Processes of Writing

1. Define SMCR+ (OFSETT).
2. Collect Ideas.
3. Outline.
4. Organize.
5. Field check.
6. Write /Type text.
7. Revise.
8. Field check.
9. Edit /Proofread.
10. Print, Bind, Distribute.
11. Collect feedback. 12. Improve.

P
I
P
P
C
I
C, Im
C, Im
C, Im
I
C, Im

I. Purpose
General: Aids in the process of writing
Specific
Helps organize ideas
Presents material in a logical form
Shows relationships among ideas
Sets an ordered overview of writing
II. Process
Determine purpose
Determine audience
Develop thesis

IV Outlines have balanced structures

III. Collecting Ideas
Brainstorm: Outline ideas to include
Use techniques of Discovering Ideas
Organize: Group related ideas
together.
Order: Arrange material in subsections
from general to specific or from abstract
to concrete.

Parallelism
Subordination
Coordination Division

1. Coordination: equal significance.

Correct coordination
A. Word processing programs
B. Database programs
C. Spreadsheet programs
Faulty coordination
A. Word processing programs
B. Microsoft Word
C. Visio program

2. Division/Subordination: Different levels

Faulty
A. Word processing programs
B. Word, Excel
Correct
A. Word processing programs
B. Microsoft Word
C. Word Perfect
Faulty division
A. Computers
B. Mainframe
C. Floppy disk

VI. Sample of an Organized Outline

Purpose, Thesis, Audience, Title
I. Major Steps in the Writing Process
A.Outlining/Organizing B. Writing
C. Evaluating
D. Revising
II. Writing Programs for the Microcomputer
A. Programs & Relationship to Writing
1. Handling Thought
a. Use in organizing b. Use in revising
2. Using Word Processors
a. Use in writing b. Use in revising
B. Pros & Cons of Computer Programs
1. Positive features
a. time spent b. Greater flexibility, .
2. Negative features .

2. Logical Orders

Climactic Order

General-to-Specific Order

Specific-to-General

Cause-to-Effect Analysis

Condition-Result (Argument)
Other ways: familiarity, complexity,
usefulness, utility

For Numbering
Alphanumerical
I

A.
1.
a.
b.

Decimal
1.0
1.1
1.2.1
1.2.2.1

Organizing
Follows three orders

Natural

Logical

Psychological
1. Natural Orders

Time and space (spatial order)

Introduction, Body, & Conclusion

Alphabetical Order

Size, chronological
Could be imposed by the subject

3. Psychological Orders
To satisfy the reader using
emotional reactions:

Acceptability

Dominant impression

Fear

Anxiety

Hesitation
Found more in advertisements

Organizing Information in Reports

Mixed order

Ascending Emphasis
importance increases as reading
advances.

summary + introduction + the

body (details) + conclusions.

Reverse Climax
important ideas are placed at the
beginning.

Introduction
details

Summary is descriptive If
integrated with the text .

If summary is independent, it is
informative one.

Three Ways for

Organizing Texts

conclusions
summary

summary

Emphatic Style

Introduction

Reverse Emphasis

Body

summary

(details)

Introduction

Conclusions

conclusion

&R

details

Mixed Style