Week 2 - Selecting And Organizing Information Flashcards
This lists topics in words, phrases or fragments. It is
important to take note of the form of the heading as you need to
ensure that each are parallel with one another. For example, if the
primary topic is a noun, the rest of the topics must be nouns.
Topic outline
from the term itself, is a type of outline wherein
each topic and subtopic are presented in complete sentences.
Sentence outline
A type of sentence outline in which instead of a specified main topic,
each heading and subtopic contains a brief summary of what the
content of that particular part will be
Paragraph outline
This is commonly done before any actual writing is done. This is a way
of sorting your ideas into what are the general ones and the specific. This will
let you know what topics need further proof, further explanation, and which
could be expanded.
Outlining
According to Tiongson (2016), some writers prefer to write their outlines in
the middle of their writing for them to record what they have already done
and where these ideas could go from the present point. All in all, the time in
which you write your outline depends on your style of writing. The most
important thing to note is how you could make use of your outline during the
course of your writing.
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Tiongson (2016) gave the following suggestions in creating your own
outline:
First, identify the purpose of your paper, your target audience, your
objectives, the perspective in which you will write the paper and the
tone of delivery.
Always remember to create a thesis statement that will suggest what
your paper will contain.
Filter your gathered information into what is needed, what is not,
what should be added and what should be removed.
Group similar ideas together. Name the groups according to its
significance and contribution to the main topic. It’s also the time to
arrange them into general topics and specific topics.
The main topics must be labeled using Roman Numerals. This will
serve as the first level of your outline. Take note of logical sequence in
arranging each.
The second level comprises of the subtopics within each main topic.
Label them using uppercase/capital letters.
The third level, on the other hand, may vary in content. These are the
supporting ideas to your subtopics. Ensure that they are indicated
right below the appropriate subtopic where it belongs and labeled
using Arabic numbers.
Particular details that must be included as evidence to the supporting
ideas such as secondary information, graphs, quotes and others, must
be classified under the supporting ideas they belong with. This will be
the outline’s fourth level and labeled using lowercase letters.
Unreliable or unsupported evidence must be removed from the
outline. If there is another solid evidence that may be proven credible,
it may be added, if necessary.
Review all of the main ideas, subtopics, supporting ideas and how
they contribute to the formation of your paper and if would fulfill the
purpose of your paper. Check if the levels are parallel with each other
and coherently or logically arranged
Writing an outline may vary for each writer but the following characteristics
are vital for your outline to be considered as good or viable for use (Dagdag,
2010):
o ______ – The subtopic must be related to the main
topic but it should not exceed or be equal to the main topic in terms of
importance
Logical subordination
Each level must be of the same grammatical
structure. For example, in topic outlines, if the first main topic is in the
noun phrase form, the subsequent main topics must be noun phrases,
as well. For sentence outlines, shifts in voice (from passive to active
and vice versa) or form (from statements to questions and vice versa)
must be avoided.
Parallel structure
Always make sure that you use proper capitalization and
punctuations. Remember that in constructing a topic outline, there is
no punctuation at the end of it.
Mechanics
Sample Outline
I. First Level – Main idea 1
A. Second Level – Subtopic 1
B. Second Level – Subtopic 2
1. Third Level – Supporting idea
a. Fourth level – particular details
II. First Level – Main Idea 2
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One of the most important elements in writing is the form or structure. It is
worth noting that without a solid structure in place, the content you have
gathered would fall apart. After constructing an outline and writing your first
draft, it is time to get on to paragraph writing.
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An effective paragraph shows the unity of the sentences used in developing
the main idea. A paragraph is made up of the topic sentence which contains
the main idea, the supporting details and the conclusion or the clinching
sentence at the end.
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reveals the main or central idea of the paragraph. It
does not necessarily have to be placed at the beginning of the
paragraph. It may be found in the middle of the first and the last
sentence or at the end. If it is found at the end of the paragraph, it may
be used as a clinching or concluding sentence.
Topic sentence
gives the paragraph life as it elaborates on the
scope given by the topic sentence. The paragraph development or the
method in writing the supporting details of your paragraph will be
Supporting detail
closes your paragraph. According to Dagdag
(2010), this “may be a restatement of the topic sentence, a summary,
or a conclusion based on the supporting details.” Connecting the topic
sentence and supporting details alone will not make a united
paragraph. These parts must also coincide with the closing sentence
which will determine the reader’s understanding of the paragraph
Clinching sentence