How to write an outline

Steps for paragraph Writing

Each paragraph in an essay should contain one idea or cover one aspect relevant to the main point. Follow these steps to build a paragraph of your own. Then look at the example following. It has been adapted from a journal article.

Introduction:

Use P-O-W-E-R: You should do the P-plan, O-organize and W-write components; now you will finish with E-edit and R-revise. You will do this for every type of writing. Reread your work. Look for spelling, grammar, and content problems. Use your computer spell and grammar check but use your own wisdom also.

Writing paragraphs is similar to writing lists. The headings you use for lists e.g. shopping list, going away on holiday list, could form the TOPIC SENTENCE of your paragraph.

 

Step 1 – Outline

[P-plan and O-organize]

When writing a paragraph, first write a plan that is called, an outline of the paragraph and it includes:

  • The topic

A topic sentence gives the main idea of the paragraph

  • supporting information.

Supporting sentences support the topic sentence (main idea)

Example

 Topic –

Using eggs in cooking

 

  Supporting information –

 _ lightly boiled eggs

_ Hard-boiled eggs

_ Fried, poached and scrambled eggs

_ Exotic touch, eggs used in sauces such as mayonnaise

_ Added eggs for Lightness and substance

Step 2 — Topic sentence

Write a topic sentence.

 Example

There are many different ways of using eggs in cooking.

 Step 3 — Supporting sentences

 [W-write]

Next, write a supporting sentence for each point. Use facts or examples to support your points.

 Example

 They can be boiled lightly and eaten with toast. Hard-boiled eggs are good for picnics, sandwiches or use in salads. Fried, poached and scrambled eggs are commonly eaten at breakfast, while an omelet provides a light and nourishing meal at any time. For an exotic touch, eggs can be curried or used in sauces such as mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce. To give lightness and substance, eggs are usually added to cakes and pastries.

Step 4 — Concluding sentence

Then write a concluding sentence to sum up.

Concluding sentence/s sum up the paragraph and tell the reader that you have finished your discussion

Example

There are few foods that are as nourishing and versatile as eggs.

Step 5 — Final paragraph

Write the final paragraph. Notice how this paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentence.

Example

There are many different ways of using eggs in cooking. They can be boiled lightly and eaten with toast. Hard-boiled eggs are good for picnics, sandwiches or use in salads. Fried, poached and scrambled eggs are commonly eaten at breakfast, while an omelet provides a light and nourishing meal at any time. For an exotic touch, eggs can be curried or used in sauces such as mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce. To give lightness and substance, eggs are usually added to cakes and pastries. Few foods are as nourishing and versatile as eggs

Now: [E-edit and R-revise]

 

Here is another example:

Step 1 – Outline

When writing a paragraph, first write an outline of the paragraph and include:

  • the topic
  • supporting information.

Example

Topic –

Effect of coercive leadership style

Supporting information -

– effect on work climate – flexibility lessened

– no initiative, little accountability

– erodes pride, alienation

Step 2 — Topic sentence

Write a topic sentence.

Example

It is easy to understand why of all the leadership styles, the coercive one is the least effective in most situations.

 

Step 3 — Supporting sentences

Next, write a supporting sentence for each point. Use facts or examples to support your points.

Example

Consider what the style does to an organization’s climate. Flexibility is the hardest hit. The leader’s extreme top-down decision making kills new ideas on the vine. People feel disrespected. Likewise, people’s sense of responsibility evaporates and they lose their sense of ownership and feel little accountability for their performance. The coercive style erodes pride in work well done and diminishes workers’ clarity and commitment, leaving them wondering if their jobs really matter in the scheme of things.

Step 4 — Concluding sentence

Then write a concluding sentence to sum up.

Example

Clearly if the coercive style is relied on in a workplace to the exclusion of the other

styles the long-term impact on morale and feelings will be ruinous.

Step 5 — Final paragraph

Write the final paragraph. Notice how this paragraph has a topic sentence,

supporting sentences and concluding sentence.

Example

It is easy to understand why of all the leadership styles, the coercive one is the least effective in most situations. Consider what the style does to an organization’s climate. Flexibility is the hardest hit. The leader’s extreme top-down decision making kills new ideas on the vine. People feel disrespected. Likewise, people’s sense of responsibility evaporates and they lose their sense of ownership and feel little accountability for their performance. The coercive style erodes pride in work well done and diminishes workers’ clarity and commitment, leaving them wondering if their jobs really matter in the scheme of things. Clearly if the coercive style is relied on in a workplace to the exclusion of the other styles the long-term impact on morale and feelings will be ruinous.

 

Here is another example:

TOPIC SENTENCE:

  1. There are many different kinds of footwear.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:

  1. Sporting footwear includes running spikes, climbing shoes and football, ice skating and diving boots to name but a few.
  2. There is also footwear for differing types of weather e.g. galoshes, snowshoes and sandals.
  3. In addition, fashion and culture have combined to influence footwear design, bringing us the platform sole, clogs, the stiletto heel and the moccasin.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

  1. Footwear has been designed to cater for all tastes and circumstances.

Exercise: In each of the examples below, there is a topic sentence. write three supporting sentences in the blank spaces under each one and one concluding sentence.

(1). TOPIC SENTENCE:

  1. There are several things that irritate me about travelling on public transport.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:

2.………………………………………………………………………………………

3.………………………………………………………………………………………

4.………………………………………………………………………………………..

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

5.………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

(2). TOPIC SENTENCE:

  1. London offers several places of interest to visit.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:

2.……………………………………………………………………………………….

3………………………………………………………………………………………..

4.………………………………………………………………………………………..

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

5.………………………………………………………………………………………

(3). TOPIC SENTENCE:

  1. There are several things to consider before getting a pet.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:

2.………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3.…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

4.………………………………………………………………………………………………….

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

  1. ………………………………………………..………………………………………………..

 

(4). TOPIC SENTENCE:

  1. There are a number of ways to keep fit.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:

  1. ………………………………………………………………………………………
  2. ………………………………………………………………………………………
  3. ………………………………………………………………………………………

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

  1. ………………………………………………………………………………………

 

(5). TOPIC SENTENCE:

  1. Come to the City Lit and choose from a huge variety of courses on offer.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:

  1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
  2. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
  3. …………………………………………………………………………………………………

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

5. …………………………………………………………………………………………………