Making and Using an Outline
What is an Outline?
• An outline is a way of organizing key ideas
• An outline helps to set up an essay or a research paper • An outline is a tool to help revise an essay or research paper.
• An outline can be a study tool to help you summarize key ideas in reading Defining the Kinds of Outlines
• A scratch outline is a preliminary list that lets you see where you need to go. It is a rough list of your first ideas.
• A scratch outline is a starting point only.
It is putting on the clothes without the accessories. • A scratch outline often changes significantly as you begin to research and write. Two Examples
The Scratch Outline
Problems with Immigration
• Who should be allowed to immigrate?
• What screening procedures should we use?
• Who should be given student visas?
• What checks should the government make?
• Should there be a number limit on immigration? DEFINING THE FORMAL
OUTLINE
• A formal outline shows, in logical order, what you will be writing about.
• A formal outline helps you separate main ideas and supporting ideas
• A formal outline gives you a foundation from which to build an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. • A formal outline often changes after you write your first draft. It will show you where you need to add more research or make other changes.
FORMAL OUTLINE
Addressing Immigration after 9/11
I. Introduction
II. Criteria for immigration
A. Political refugees
B. Relatives of citizens
C. Other applications
III. Screening Criteria
A. Medical Screening
B. Interview
C. Psychological screening
D. Background check
IV. Students
A. Purpose of study
B. Commitment to study
1. How long will they stay?
2. How will they finance their education and support themselves? C. Value to our educational system
V. Government oversight
A. Obligation to have periodic checks on immigrants and students
B. Reporting any legal violations or suspicious behavior
C. The government needs to limit the number of immigrants