Writing II : Outlining a Paragraph

sources:
1. www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/index.htm
2. Douglas College Learning Centre

A good way to plan a paragraph is to make an outline. This helps you to focus on which points to use, what evidence you have and how you can explain the connection between the evidence and the points you are making. Once you are satisfied with the organization of the outline, use it as a guide to write your paragraph.

What is the prewriting stage?

The prewriting stage is when you think carefully and organize your ideas for your paragraph before you begin writing.

Six Prewriting Steps:

1. Think carefully about what you are going to write. Ask yourself: What question am I going to answer in this paragraph or essay? How can I best answer this question? What is the most important part of my answer? How can I make an introductory sentence (or thesis statement) from the most important part of my answer? What facts or ideas can I use to support my introductory sentence? How can I make this paragraph or essay interesting? Do I need more facts on this topic? Where can I find more facts on this topic?

2. Open your notebook. Write out your answers to the above questions. You do not need to spend a lot of time doing this; just write enough to help you remember why and how you are going to write your paragraph or essay.

3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or essay topic. Look for and write down facts that will help you to answer your question. Timesaving hint: make sure the facts you are writing are related to the exact question you are going to answer in your paragraph or essay.

4. Write down your own ideas. Ask yourself: What else do I want to say about this topic? Why should people be interested in this topic? Why is this topic important?

5. Find the main idea of your paragraph or essay. Choose the most important point you are going to present. If you cannot decide which point is the most important, just choose one point and stick to it throughout your paragraph or essay.

6. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea. Once you have chosen the most important point of your paragraph or essay, you must find the best way to tell your reader about it. Look at the facts you have written. Look at your own ideas on the topic. Decide which facts and ideas will best support the main idea of your paragraph. Once you have chosen the facts and ideas you plan to use, ask yourself which order to put them in the paragraph. Write down your own note set that you can use to guide yourself as you write your paragraph or essay.

Paragraph Outline:

Topic Sentence: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Supporting Sentence 1: __________________________________________________________
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Evidence / Explanation: __________________________________________
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Supporting Sentence 2: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Evidence / Explanation: __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Supporting Sentence 3: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Evidence / Explanation: __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Supporting Sentence 4: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Evidence / Explanation: __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Concluding Sentence___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Example Paragraph

The Learning Centre is a busy place. One reason is that many students come to the Learning Centre to get tutoring help. They come for help with writing, study skills, math and course concepts. Often there are three to five tutoring pairs working together in the Learning Centre at any one time. Another reason the Learning Centre is so busy is that many students like to use its ten computers. They write papers, do research, check their email and use WebCT. So many people want to use the computers that there are often people standing around and waiting for a free computer. Finally, the reception desk is often busy. People come to the desk to make and change appointments, to ask for resources and to ask for information about the Learning Centre. People often have to line up to get help at the reception desk, especially when classes have just ended. Taken together, then, the tutoring, the computers and the reception desk all contribute to making the Learning Centre a very active place.

Answer these questions about the example paragraph:
1. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
2. How many points are used to support that main idea?
3. Underline the transitions used to show the reader that a new main point is being introduced.
4. What facts are used to support the points

Outline of the example paragraph

Topic Sentence: The Learning Centre is a busy place.

Main Point 1: Many students come to get tutoring help.
Evidence and Explanation:
- help with writing, study skills, math, course concepts.
- usually 3-5 tutoring pairs working in the LC so busy.

Main Point 2: Many students want to use the computers.
Evidence and Explanation:
- write papers, do research, email, use WebCT.
- often all computers full; students wait for a free computer.

Main Point 3: Lots of people come to the reception desk.
Evidence and Explanation:
- make and change appointments; get information.
- especially between classes; often line-ups.