Discovering History
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              • The Death of Woman Wang
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              • Checkpoint #2: Annotated Bibliography
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Outlining for Reading

How do outlines relate to reading?

Outlining is a valuable tool for taking notes on written or audio-visual material that you may want to reference later on. This strategy works particularly well for material that follows a logical organization, for example textbooks and argumentative essays.

Why are outlines used to take notes?

The goal when using outlining as a notetaking strategy is to capture arguments and evidence in hierarchical relation to one another. This process enables you to deconstruct arguments and organize information in a manner that is both highly efficient and detailed.

What should an outline look like?

Whether engaging in reading or writing, your outline will often follow this sort of pattern:

  1. Main point
    1. First minor point
      1. Supporting argument
        1. Evidence
        2. Evidence
      2. Supporting argument
        1. Evidence
    2. Second minor point
      1. Supporting argument . . .
  2. Main point
    1. Minor point
      1. Supporting argument
        1. evidence

It is important that you set up your outline with visual indentation to set off significant points from less significant points or examples. It is less important, ultimately, what pattern of Roman Numerals, numbers, letters, or simple bullet points you choose.

Can I see examples of what this looks like?

Sure, here are two examples:
  • Here, a student has outlined a section of a world history textbook selection on nationalism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America from 1919-39 (PDF).
  • In this example, another student, Helena Park '18, has outlined a section from a U.S. history textbook (Google Doc).
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  • Courses
    • Archived Courses >
      • Chinese History >
        • Ancient/Early Modern: Living China's History >
          • Living China's History (fall 2017) >
            • Course Information
            • Course Project
            • In-Class
            • Assignments
          • Living China's History (fall 2018) >
            • In-Class >
              • The Death of Woman Wang
            • Assignments
        • Modern: China's Fall and Rise >
          • China's Rise and Fall (spring 2019) >
            • Course Info
            • In Class
            • Assignments + Units
          • China's Fall and Rise (spring 2018) >
            • Course Information
            • In-Class
            • Assignments
        • Contemporary: Thinking about a Changing China >
          • Thinking about a Changing China (spring 2017) >
            • Course Information
            • In Class
            • Assignments
      • Global Thinking (grade 9 seminar) >
        • HS150 Course Information
        • HS150 In-Class
        • HS150 Assignments
      • Japanese History >
        • Japan's Empire and its Legacies (fall 2016) >
          • Course Information
          • Daily Review
          • Schedule >
            • JE Unit 1
            • JE Unit 2
            • JE Unit 3
            • JE Unit 4
            • JE Unit 5
            • JE Unit 6
          • Research >
            • Issues of History
            • Research Schedule >
              • Checkpoint #2: Annotated Bibliography
              • Checkpoint #3: Outline
              • Checkpoint #4: Supplemental Pages
      • U.S. History >
        • Humanities History (2017-18) >
          • Course Information
          • In-Class
          • Assignments
        • Humanities History (2016-17) >
          • Course Information
          • In Class
          • Assignments >
            • U1: The American Revolution & the Constitution
            • U2: Defining the Nation
            • U3: 19th Century Social & Cultural Transformations >
              • Cemetery Project
            • U4: A House Divided
            • U5: Industry & Empire
            • U6: Progressive Promise & Disillusion
            • U7: Global Conflicts
            • U8: Civil Rights & Human Rights
      • More Course Descriptions
  • Skills
    • Reading >
      • Active Reading
      • Advanced Reading Strategies (Upper Mids and Seniors)
      • Outlining for Reading
      • Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources
      • Analyzing Primary Sources with SOAPSTone
      • Analyzing Visual Primary Sources
      • Selecting & Evaluating Secondary Sources
    • Thinking >
      • What is History?
      • Historical Thinking Chart (PDF)
      • Breaking Down History with the SPICE Factors
    • Discussing >
      • Engaging in Class Discussion
      • Evaluating Discussion
    • Researching >
      • Identifying Research Topics & Questions
      • Note Cards
    • Writing >
      • Zero Draft
      • Thesis Statements
      • Forming Counterarguments
      • Formatting Chicago-Style Papers
      • Ford Library Guide to Chicago-style Citations (PDF)
    • Tech Tips
  • Reference
    • Chinese History Tools
    • Further Reading in Asian Studies >
      • Books
      • News
      • Podcasts
    • Current Events around the World
  • About
    • About
    • Writing