Outlining

(noun)

A prewriting activity that allows you to organize to your ideas by placing them into an ordered sequence of primary and secondary ideas, which shows the relationship of the parts to the whole. 

Related Terms

Examples of Outlining in the following topics:

  • The Preparation Outline

    • A preparation outline is a precursor to your speech outline.
    • Common outline styles include sentence outlines, topics outlines, chronological outlines, and alphanumeric outlines.
    • Remember, an outline is simply your guide.
    • Some word processing programs may even have pre-made outline templates that will make outlining your speech even easier.
    • Describe the purpose of a preparation outline, and the different preparation outline styles used by speech writers

  • Building a Speech: Starting with an Outline

    • It is always a good idea to make an outline before you begin writing a speech.
    • Outlining a speech is similar, but there is one key difference: speechwriters can use the outlining process to create prompts to aid with delivering the speech.
    • Many speakers like to brainstorm before making an outline.
    • A topic outline is a hierarchical list of a speech's main points.
    • Sentence outlines are more detailed than topic outlines, but less detailed than first drafts.

  • The Rough Draft Outline

    • Creating rough draft outlines—i.e., an outline that serves as a precursor to the speech's rough draft—often helps organize and structure speakers' ideas into a cohesive and definitive topic.
    • Outlines help form the skeleton of the speaker's speech.
    • The parts that comprise a rough draft outline are similar to other types of writing outlines.
    • Your rough draft outline is essentially a technique for organizing and jotting down ideas into a traditional outline format.
    • Describe the role and different components of a rough draft outline

  • The Speaking Outline

    • Speaking outlines help presenters with the timing, pacing, and overall delivery of the speech.
    • After putting together a rough draft outline (i.e., the "skeleton" of the speech), writers can then progress to the speaking outline.
    • Unlike the rough draft outline, which includes short notes on structure, the speaking outline covers both the main points and aids the speaker's memory on certain topics.
    • Nevertheless, a basic speaking outline generally includes:
    • Each sub-point in the outline should have a supporting bullet.

  • Reasons to Outline

    • There are many reasons to create an outline; but in general, it may be helpful to create an outline when you want to show the hierarchical relationship or logical ordering of information.
    • An outline helps guide you as you prepare your speech as follows:
    • It is important to keep in mind that your outline is only a guide.
    • Think of your outline as a skeleton -- a tool for delivery of extemporaneous speaking.
    • Justify out the reasons to outline prior to writing a speech or presentation

  • Kohlberg and Moral Development

  • Extemporaneous Speeches

    • An outline is a list of items with each item divided into additional sub-items.
    • Each level in an outline has at least two subcategories.
    • There are three basic types of outlines:
    • Sentence outline - Each complete sentence includes a heading or single sentence about the subject of the outline.
    • Speaking notes, topic outlines, and phrase outlines have an advantage over sentence outlines.

  • Organizing and Outlining the Speech

    • Outlining your speech as a series of chronological events or points allows your audience to follow along a linear timeline for easy understanding of your subject matter.
    • Here is a sample outline about issues of feminism in William Shakespeare's Hamlet:

  • Dealing with a Difficult Audience

    • An extemporaneous speech (extemp speech) is delivered from a prepared outline or note cards.
    • The outline or note cards include the main ideas and arguments of the speech.
    • Outlines and note cards should be used for keeping the presentation organized and for reminding the presenter what information needs to be provided.
    • In order to play to the strengths of extemporaneous speech, it is important to practice presenting with the outline or note cards being used.
    • Inexperienced speakers tend to worry that they will forget important information if they do not write it out on their outline or note card.

  • Step 3: Outlining

    • An outline is a great way to troubleshoot and firm up your argument before you commit to it in a draft.
    • The outline stage allows you to experiment with different ways of organizing.
    • Here are some ways to use the outline to make a better argument.
    • Leave enough time after creating your outline to get at least a night’s sleep before writing your first draft.
    • Looking at your outline board, come up with counter-arguments and questions for each claim.