Lesson 2 Making an OutlineParagraph Unit
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Lesson 2 Making an Outline
After taking notes for a report the next step is to make an outline from the notes. Compare the outline below to the graphic organizer from Lesson 1.
Title of Paragraph
| Outline | Part of a Paragraph | Paragraph |
| I. How Long Have Earthworms Lived On Earth? | The main topic is used to build the topic sentence. | Scientists disagree about how long earthworms have inhabited the Earth. |
|
Details First Point and Support |
Worms are a soft bodied creatures with no bones or shell. Due to this few fossils of worms have not been found. |
|
Details Second Point and Support |
Scientists have found trace fossils in India. These are fossils of tunnels that many scientists believe to have been made by worms. Not all scientist agree with this. Some say the tunnels may have been made in other ways. |
|
Details Third Point and Support |
Scientists do agree that annelids, soft bodied worm-like animals, have been on Earth for 500 million years. Well-preserved annelid fossils have been found in Mazon Creek near Chicago. |
| Conclusion | Conclusion | Can you believe that some scientists believe that worms have been on the Earth for more than a billion years? |
How to Make an Outline
Write a title that lets the reader know the subject of the report.
Main topics are listed using Roman numerals and periods.
Points or facts are listed under each topic using capital letters and periods.
Subtopics are extra information that is needed to clarify a point or fact. They are listed under each fact as needed. Subtopics are listed using lower case letters and periods.
Questions
Use the outline above to answer these questions.
What is the main topic in the paragraph above?
How many points are made in this paragraph?
Did each point need additional clarification?
What do the Roman numerals represent?
What are the capital letters used for?
How many points were made in the paragraph?
Activity
Practice making a simple outline by using the Portals to Reading Series: How to Eat Fried Worms published by Perfection Learning. Complete pages 42-43 "Making an Outline".
Additional Practice
Using the information below form an outline. (Save this outline for later use.)
Earthworms
| 2,200 species | found all over world except waterless and arctic regions |
| range in size from 1 inch to 11 feet | many reddish brown to purple |
| burrow in ground | come to surface on cloudy days and nights |
| dormant during cold and dry weather | body divided into segments |
| each segment has four pairs of bristles | use bristles to anchor itself |
| primitive brain in anterior | used as live bait |
| five linearly arranged hearts | cross fertilize |
| young hatch from cocoon as miniature adults | help ventilate (circulate air) and mix the soil |
| eaten by some people |
Earthworms
I. General Description of Earthworms
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
II. Movement
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
III. Young
A.
B.
IV. Uses
A.
B.
C.
Source of Worm Information: Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2004
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-------------Key-------------
Earthworms
I. General Description of Earthworms
A. 2,200 species
B. range in size from 1 inch to 11 feet
C. found all over world except arid and arctic regions
D. primitive brain in anterior
E. five linearly arrange hearts
F. many reddish brown to purple
II. Movement
A. burrow in ground
B. each segment has four pairs of bristles
C. body divided into segments
D. use bristles to anchor itself
E. come to surface on cloudy days and nights
F. dormant during cold and dry weather
III. Young
A. young hatch from cocoon as miniature adults
B. cross fertilize
IV. Uses
A. used as live bait
B. eaten by some people
C. help aerate and mix the soil