Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 14, Composition 315

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Composition

Lesson 106

Outlining

During prewriting you generate ideas. Outlining gives you a way to organize

those ideas before you begin drafting. One way to make an outline is to write

pieces of information from your prewriting material on index cards. You can then

arrange the cards by main topicand supporting details.When writing an outline,

use roman numerals for the main topics. Use capital letters for subtopics. Under

each topic, list details using regular numerals. If you include details for a topic or

subtopic, always give at least two items. An outline for an account of a rafting

trip might look like this:

I. Beginning

A. Floating calmly

B. Sights along river

1. Birds fishing


2. Fish jumping
   II. Middle
   A. Shooting the rapids


3. Quick reactions of guide


4. Excitement of passengers
   B. Stopping for picnic lunch

Exercise 1 Organize the following subtopics and details into an outline for a

paragraph about a trip in a hot air balloon. The main topics are provided.

Ended near Calgary, Canada Flight lasted four days

Length of trip Balloonist endured zero temperatures

More than 6,000 miles Started in Seoul, South Korea

Two heaters failed Route of trip

I. First solo balloon flight across Pacific Ocean

A. Route of trip

1. Started in Seoul, South Korea


2. Ended near Calgary, Canada
   B. Length of trip


3. More than 6,000 miles


4. Flight lasted four days