9th Grade Guide to Outlining Using a Harvard Outline

Definition An outline is a way of organizing information. It uses key words or word groups to show main topics, subtopics, details, etc.

Task Analysis Task analysis is the process of breaking apart a concept or task into basic steps. Taking notes: Have pencil/pen Have a piece of paper or handout Listen carefully to teacher Jot down important information Use phrases not sentences

Roman Numerals Use Roman Numerals for identifying main topics: I = 1 VI = 6 (V + I = 6) II = 2 (I + I = 2) VII = 7 III = 3 VIII = 8 IV = 4 ( I – V = 4) IX = 9 (I – X = 9) V = 5 X = 10 L = 50; C = 100; D = 500; M = 1,000

Outline Format Subtopics = Capital letters Details = numbers Main topics = Roman Numerals Subtopics = Capital letters Details = numbers Sub-details = lower case numbers Parallel structure is the format of an outline using indentations to mark main topics, subtopics, details, and sub-details.

Sample Outline Format (Title) I. Main Topic A. Important subtopic B. Important subtopic 1. Detail a. sub-detail b. sub-detail 2. Detail II. Main Topic

General Rules Use a period after each Roman Numeral, capital letter, number, and lower-case letter Use capitalization after Main Topics, Subtopics and Details. No need to capitalize after sub-details. Keep parallel structure!!! (That would be indentation)

Task Analysis I. Outline process A. Determine 1. Topic: title of Outline 2. Purpose a. what do you want to accomplish b. entertain, persuade, argue 3. Audience a. who are you writing to b. idea & content & word choice B. Develop 1. Thesis 2. Optional blue print

Task Analysis I. Pre-Outline process C. Brainstorming 1. List all details 2. Choose two or three of most important categories D. Organize 1. Group related ideas/areas 2. List ideas into chosen categories E. Order 1. Number ideas in order of importance 2. Determine sequencing to be used in paper a. most important to least important b. or least important to most important

Task Analysis II. Writing the Outline A. Topic = Title 1. Do not be creative 2. Everything on outline applies to title/topic B. Thesis 1. Tells the reader what the essay/paper is about 2. Use a declarative sentence a. must be an arguable statement b. There is more to me that meets the naked eye. 3. Optional blue print a. the specific points in essay to be discussed b. Schools should use a standardized dress uniform for economic and safety factors.

Task Analysis III. Organization of outline for essay A. Outlines are adjustable B. Use brief phrases or words C. Main topic I = Introduction 1. Subtopic A = Includes attention grabber (hook) 2. Subtopic B = Background / concession a. background is used in narrative b. concession is used in argument 3. Subtopic C = Thesis with or without blueprint

Task Analysis III. Organization of outline for essay D. Main Topic II = 1st point of blue print 1. Subtopic A = Transition / topic sentence a. claim 2. Subtopic B, C, (D) = Evidence a. details that back up evidence b. use citation, facts, quotes 3. Subtopic ___ Conclusion for paragraph a. Warrant: ties the evidence to the claim.

Task Analysis III. Organization of outline for essay E. Main Topic III = 2nd point of blue print 1. Subtopic A = Transition / topic sentence a. claim 2. Subtopic B, C, (D) = Evidence a. details that back up evidence b. use citation, facts, quotes 3. Subtopic ___ Conclusion for paragraph a. Warrant: ties the evidence to the claim. F. Main Topic IV = 3rd point of blue print (if needed)

Task Analysis III. Organization of outline for essay G. Main Topic V = Conclusion 1. Subtopic A = restate thesis in a conclusive style 2. Call to action (argument) OR a. solution to problem b. suggestions 3. Reflection

Example Prompt: In a narrative presentation, enlighten your teacher with who you are. Topic: Maggie Orr Purpose: Inform Audience: 9th grade students Brainstorm: Teacher Musician Drama Mother Daughter Sister Wifedas Singer Broadway Musicals Community Choir, Church Hand bells, clarinet, piano Professionally recorded Bucket list English Domino’s High school drama award Age 10 College Playwright Family: youngest of 3 strict father educated parents culturally educated travel dogs KATIE Rick/Mike

Example Family Talent Background: childhood Theater Birth family structure high school Characteristics of family college Adulthood: marriage Singing Rick genre Mike bucket list Children: singing the National Anthem Julia personality tragedy Katie circumstances bond Thesis: To know me is to understand the depth of circumstances in my life.

Ready to build outline Maggie Orr I. Introduction A. “Life is like an onion; you must peel away the layers and beware that you will shed tears.” 1. Weeble: wobble but don’t fall down 2. Reality verses fantasy B. Born 1961 around the time of the Cuba missile crisis. 1. Bayshore Long Island NY 2. Youngest of three children 3. Moved to Fountain Hills AZ 1976 C. Basic information; foundation D. Thesis: To really understand who I am, one should understand the depth of the circumstances that have molded my life.

II. Family influences II. Family influences A. The real foundation of my life is the influence of family. B. Parents 1. From Buffalo NY 2. Lived during the Depression; WWII 3. College educated a. father engineering b. mother music education C. Siblings 1. Elizabeth Susan a. eldest b. National Honor Society c. theater – stage manager d. early marriage – eleven children e. Boise, Idaho f. finally two useless degrees: Renaissance History, Biology

Final reminders If you are placing a fact or detail into your essay, it should be found in your outline. Edit your outline for spelling errors and capitalization. Sub-details should relate to details; details should relate to subtopics; subtopics should relate to main topics. Everything should relate to thesis. PARALLEL STRUCTURE!

NARRATIVE OUTLINE Prompt: Every person has many facets (sides or characteristics)to their lives that make them individuals; chose two facets and write a narrative essay. Follow the task analysis steps to write your outline. Don’t skip any step; each step will be documented.