Lesson One
ELAR Level Four, Unit Six: Outlining
LESSON ONE
You are working hard to learn the material in these units, and you need to receive a pat on the back for all your hard work! In this group of lessons, you will be learning how to write an outline. To outline a paragraph means to give the main features of a paragraph using headings and subheadings which summarize the important points.
An outline assists you in pre-planning your writing. It helps you to organize your ideas and details into groups so that your writing will make sense to the readers. If you write an outline before you write a final composition, you will find that your thoughts are better organized. An outline is similar to a blueprint that a person uses to build a house.
To build a house a builder follows a plan called a "blueprint." An outline is similar to a blueprint.
A writer follows an outline when writing a composition.
In this unit, you will be studying a paragraph outline. You will learn how to read a paragraph and then break it down into an outline.
Below you will find the parts of a paragraph outline:
I. Topic sentence
II. First main point
III. Second main point
IV. Third main point
V. Concluding sentence
PRACTICE QUIZ ONE
Paragraph Outline
I. Topic sentence
II. First main point
III. Second main point
IV. Third main point
V. Concluding sentence
Let’s go over each part of the outline so that you have a better understanding. The first part of the paragraph outline is the topic sentence. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. The main idea is what your paragraph is all about. You will usually find the topic sentence located at the first of the paragraph but occasionally, you will find it elsewhere.
Please read the following paragraphs and notice the bolded and italicized topic sentence. You will see that the topic sentence contains the main idea which is what the paragraph is about, and the remaining sentences support the topic sentence.
Paragraph Example A
I walk around talking to the smiling guests while I observe the
rest of the hotel. I find wonderful tables and booths and also
discover three stunning rooms for private events. The Vintage Room
provides seating for 16 guests and also has a state-of-the-art plasma
television.
Paragraph Example B
I love the many opportunities and luxuries that California affords those who live there and also those who are visitors. Because of its warm weather throughout the year, many restaurants have both indoor and outdoor eating areas; in California living outdoors is just as important as living indoors. The Deck Restaurant takes full advantage of the California climate but also offers an air-conditioned area which has a very large big-screen TV, a huge serving table, and an incredible glassed-in view of 19th Century artwork.
PRACTICE QUIZ TWO