2. Outline

1. Definition:

Give the main features, structures or general principles of a topic, omitting minor details.

2. Examples:

-Outline the author’s views on love, marriage and divorce.

-Outline the author’s views on the effects of globalisation on the developing world.

-Outline the author’s arguments against genetic engineering and research in general.

-Outline the author’s ideas of how a democratic and human society should look like.

3. Description:

Outlining means only to give the most significant points of a topic in the text and the main arguments the author focuses on. You are not supposed to give minor details that are not necessary for the reader to understand the main message according to the topic.

4. Useful Vocabulary:

The phrases below can help you to write an outline:

-The author’s/writer’s main/most important arguments are…

-The most important/significant point the author makes is…

-Without going into detail, the text makes clear that…

-Turning to the effects of globalization, the writer’s main point is…

-In outline, the author’s point is that…

-Turning to the effects of globalization, the writer’s main point is…

-As far as globalization is concerned, the writer focuses on…

5. Advice:

As the operator outline serves to ensure that you understood a text you are only supposed to give the main facts of the text. Be careful not to involve your own opinion as this part of text work is only concerned about objective facts presented in the text.

by Sarah Stöppel