ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

Lesson OUTLINING READING TEXTS

5

An outline is a summary that gives the essential features of a text. It shows how
the parts of a text are related to one another as parts that are equal of importance, or
sections that are subordinate to a main idea. It is a tool used to organize written ideas
about a topic or thesis into a logical order.
Outlines arrange major topics, subtopics, and supporting details. Writers use
outlines when writing their papers to know which topic to cover in what order. Outlines
for papers can be very general or very detailed.

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

Learning Objectives:
As you go through this module, you will be able to:
 create an outline on the selection being read; and
 outline reading texts

WHAT IS IT
WHY DO WE OUTLINE?
 it gives an overview of the topic and enables us to see how various sub topics
relate to one another
 recording the information in our own words tests our understanding of what
we read
 it is an effective way to record needed information from reference books you
do not own

HOW TO MAKE AN OUTLINE

I. FIRST MAJOR IDEA
A. First supporting detail
1. Detail
2. Detail
B. Second supporting detail
1. Detail
2. Detail
a) minor detail or example
b) minor detail or example
II. SECOND MAJOR IDEA
A. First supporting detail

TYPES OF OUTLINE
1. Topic outline
2. Sentence outline
A topic outline is a list of words or phrases. It arranges the ideas hierarchically
(showing which are main and which are sub points) in the sequence one wants and
shows what one will talk about. Topic outlines help a writer see a larger structure
through a series of short ideas.
A topic outline provides a quick overview of major and minor ideas to be included in
an essay. Generally, the following outlines represent possible frameworks for
organizing their essay:
1. Comparison – contrast
2. Chronological arrangement
3. Sequential ordering
4. Advantages - disadvantages / Pros vs. Cons
5. Cause – effect
6. Problem – solution

Example:
The Kind of English Books I Enjoy Reading
I. Fiction
A. Spy Stories
B. Historical Novel
II. Love Stories
III. Non-fiction
 A. Books about great inventors
B. Biographies
IV. Books and Military Heroes
V. Science and Space Exploration

In a sentence outline, the thesis and topic sentence of each supporting paragraph are
fully written out. The sentence outline forces part of the essay to be written out in
sentences before the first draft.
Example:
The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
I. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect one economically.
A. The cost of alcohol is high and getting higher.
1. The cost of DUIs can be enormous.
2. Alcohol costs are always rising because of rising production costs
as well as taste and local taxes.
B. The cost of drug abuse can be high.
1. Even the arrest for the possession of a minute amount of drugs
can result in high bail and court cost.
2. The cost of drugs fluctuates drastically according to the type of
drug, its availability, and the amount.
II. Alcohol and drug abuse can have severe psychological effects.
A. Alcohol abuse can damage a person psychologically.
1. Alcohol is a depressant and can alter the personality of anyone.
2. The abuse of alcohol can lead to the psychological addiction to
alcohol.
B. Drug abuse can be detrimental to one psychologically.
1. Drugs impair one’s ability to function normally because of the
hallucinations or numbness of “getting high”.
2. Drugs can become a psychological addiction.

WHAT’S MORE
A. Directions: Read the selection and make a topic outline. Use the space
provided below. (10 points)

Air Pollutant Types

Based on their origin, air pollutants can be classified into primary and
secondary air pollutants.
Primary pollutants are emitted directly from the sources, are found in the
atmosphere in their emitted form. Examples include sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides,
hydrocarbons, ash, smoke, dust, fumes, mist, sprays and radioactive compounds.
Secondary pollutants are formed in the atmosphere by chemical reactions
between primary pollutants and atmosphere constituents. These are usually formed
by photochemical reactions, hydrolysis or oxidation. Examples include ozone,
aldehydes and ketones.

B. Directions: Read the selection and make a sentence outline. Use the space provided
below. (15 points)

Bullying in Schools
Bullying in the schools has negative effects on individual students and on the
school climate as a whole. Bullying can cause long-term problems for both the victims
of bullying and the bullies themselves. To explore the effects of bullying on adolescents,
we will define bullying, identify the characteristics of bullies and victims, outline the
extent and consequences of bullying, and present resources for further information and
assistance.
Bullying is any behavior that is initiated by one or more students against a victim
or victims that causes physical or psychological intimidation. Bullying behaviors can be
classified as either direct (such as teasing, threatening, hitting, or stealing) or indirect
(such as rumor spreading or social isolation). Boy typically employed direct methods of
bullying, while girls tend to use in direct methods. Either way, behaviors must occur
repeatedly overtime to be classified as bullying.
 Characteristics of Bullies and Victims
There are specific behaviors that bullies tend to exhibit. The bullies often
need to feel powerful and in control. They may feel no remorse when they inflict
injury and suffering on others. Bullies tend to defy authority and are likely to break
school rules. They seem to have little anxiety and appear to possess high self-
esteem. Students who come from homes characterized by physical punishment tend
to be more likely to exhibit these types of behaviors.
Victims also tend to exhibit specific characteristics. They are often anxious,
insecure, cautious, and have low self-esteem. Victims tend to be socially isolated,
and may lack social skills and friends. Because they tend to be weaker than their
peers, either physically or socially, victims rarely retaliate against bullies. Students
who have close ties with their parents/guardians or who have overprotective
parents/guardians are more likely to be victimized by bullies.

Source:
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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND

PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
Lesson 5
Name: ________________________________________________ Year and Section: _________ Score: ______

What’s More
A.

B.