Exercise A

1. Read the list of items.

2. Determine what should be the main topic for each list.
3. Write the topic on the line provided.

1. Symptoms of the flu 2.

Headache Wood
Runny nose Oil
Fever Gas
Chills kerosene

3. 4.
Arm Lincoln
Wrist Reagan
Ankle Jefferson
Toe Roosevelt

Step Two: Understand the main idea

The main idea is the central idea which ties a paragraph or list of items together.
The topic usually becomes the title of the outline. Once the topic is identified, the main ideas must
be labeled with Roman numerals, In paragraph only one main idea will be present. When
outlining a paragraph, a single Roman numeral I may be used. This is an exception to the rule that
all labels must be used in pairs.
Major details give the necessary support or proof that will help the readers understand the
main idea mentioned in the topic sentence. The major details are labeled with capital letters.
Finally, minor details which clarify or give examples of the major details are labeled with
numbers.

Exercise B

In each of these exercises

1. Choose the topic, and write it as the title.

2. Decide what are the main ideas, and label them in the first column with Roman
numerals.
3. Decide what are the major details, and label them in the second column with
capital letters.
1. 2.

I. Individual Office
A. Hiking Manager
B. Swimming Secretary
C. Walking Clerk
II. Two-person Factory
Tennis Supervisor
Racquetball Laborers
Team Hospital
Baseball Doctor
Soccer Nurse
Hockey Orderly Two-person

Step Three: Understand minor details.

Remember that minor details clarify or provide examples of the major details. They must
have something in common with the major detail listed above.

Exercise C

In each of these exercises

1. Choose the topic, and write it as the title.

2. Decide what are the main ideas, and label them in the first column with
Roman numerals.
3. Decide what are the major details, and label them in the second column
with capital letters.
4. Decide what are the minor details, and label them in the third column with
an Arabic number.
1. Breakfast Foods 2.

I. Hot Nonalcoholic
A. Cereal Juice
1. Oatmeal Grape
2. Cream of Wheat Orange
B. Eggs Apple
Scrambled Soft drink
Fried Cola
Soft boiled Ginger ale
Meat Alcoholic
Bacon Beer
Sausage Wine
Ham Red wine
Cold White wine
Cereal Liquor
Wheaties Gin
Cheerios Rum
Beverages
Juice
Milk

Step Four: Understand the difference between main ideas stated in the topic sentence
and major and minor details.

Remember major and minor details are used to support or prove the main ideas.
Major details often follow key words known as transitions. A few such words are first,
next, last, another. There are many transitions. If you are not familiar with them, get the
handout on transitions.

When outlining a paragraph

1. List the topic.

2. Next to the Roman numeral l list the topic sentence which states the main
idea.
3. Below the topic sentence, indent two spaces and list each major detail
with a capital letter.
4. Below the major detail, indent two spaces and list each minor detail with
an Arabic numeral.
Exercise D

1. The topic and topic sentence have been given.

2. In the outline format, list the statements on the left in logical order.
3. First, find all the different major details and list them by the capital letters.
4. Next, list all the fact and examples that explain the major details. These
are minor details, and they are each given an Arabic numeral.

l. Topic sentence: The ancient Romans

were unlike the Greeks in many ways.

The Greeks granted citizenship to many A.

conquered people.
The Greeks made great contributions to 1.
literature and philosophy.
First, they differed in the views of 2.
citizenship.
The Romans developed practical B.
methods for government and the legal system
The Romans stressed citizenship as part 1.
of national heritage.
Second, each were leaders in their own 2.
special field.

Step Five: Understand how to outline a paragraph.

To outline a paragraph

1. Read the entire paragraph.

2. Decide what the topic is and make it the title.
3. Find the topic sentence that states the main idea.
To synthesize the statement, write it in your own words.
However, make sure it is a complete sentence. List it next to Roman numeral l.
4. List in your own words all the major details which support the main idea.
5. List in your own words the minor details which clarify the major details.
Exercise E

Read the following paragraph, and outline it according to the directions above.

Teenagers take drugs for several reasons. Young people can get drugs easily. They are
available everywhere: football games, shopping centers, even the school cafeteria. Most teens can
afford these drugs by using their allowances and earning from part-time jobs. Another reason for
teens to take drugs is that many have psychological problems. They feel taking drugs is a way to
escape from making decisions. At this age, they also have the problem of establishing their
independence from their parents. Finally, they may use drugs because of peer pressure. Hoping to
be part of the “gang,” the teen turn to drugs to be accepted. Even the most mature teen might be
tempted to use drugs rather than risk being left out. For all of these reasons, drugs are a major
problem facing teens.

Topic:

l. (Main Idea)

A. (Major Detail)

1. (Minor Detail)

2. (Minor Detail)

B. (Major Detail)

1. (Minor Detail)

2. (Minor Detail)

C. (Major Detail)

1. (Minor Detail)

2. (Minor Detail)