Mastering Point and Support Outlines

1. Symposium Mini-Lesson #2: Point and Support Outlines • Connect to last time: The key takeaway from the last mini-lesson was that you need to find reliable, credible sources as you prepare for the symposium. • Quick check: How do you know a source is credible? • This time we’ll talk about how to start organizing your research in a way that will make sense to you and your listeners.

2. Symposium Mini-Lesson #2: Point and Support Outlines • Why do we need an outline for symposium? • An outline provides structure and organization for your speech • An outline could be used to help you remember your important points as you speak • A strong outline does the same job as a strong essay. It states your topic and thesis, and offers support that is clear to the reader…in this case, the listener.

3. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES- At the paragraph level. A paragraph is a series of sentences that support a point. A paragraph often starts with a point (also called the topic sentence). The rest of the paragraph provides specific details to support and develop the point.

4. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES This picture illustrates the relationship between point and support.

5. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES An outline shows at a glance the point of a paper and a numbered list of the items that support the point.

6. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES Here is an example of a paragraph and an outline of the paragraph. People in my family love our dog Punch. However, I have several reasons for wanting to get rid of Punch. First of all, he knows I don’t like him. Sometimes he gives me an evil look and curls his top lip back to show me his teeth. The message is clearly, “Someday I’m going to bite you.” Another reason to get rid of Punch is he sheds everywhere. Every surface in our house is covered with Punch hair. I spend more time brushing it off my clothes than I do mowing the lawn. Last of all, Punch is an early riser, while (on weekends) I am not. He will start barking and whining to go outside at 7 a.m., and it’s my job to take care of him. When I told my family that I had a list of good reasons for getting rid of Punch, they said they would make up a list of reasons to get rid of me. Point: I have several reasons for wanting to get rid of Punch. Supporting detail:1. He knows I don’t like him. Supporting detail: 2.Punch sheds everywhere. Supporting detail: 3. Punch is an early riser.

7. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES Complete the outline for this paragraph. People lie for different reasons. One common reason is to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new haircut?” If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.” Another common reason for lying is to avoid a fight. Say a friend angers you and then asks, “Are you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument. People also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely say, “That’s interesting.” In addition, people lie to avoid spending more time with someone. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.” Point: Supporting detail:1. Supporting detail: 2. Supporting detail: 3. Supporting detail: 4.

8. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES People lie for different reasons. One common reason is to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new haircut?” If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.” Another common reason for lying is to avoid a fight. Say a friend angers you and then asks, “Are you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument. People also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely say, “That’s interesting.” In addition, people lie to avoid spending more time with someone. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.” Point:People lie for different reasons. Supporting detail:1.To avoid hurting someone’s feelings Supporting detail: 2.To avoid a fight Supporting detail: 3.To fit in Supporting detail: 4.To avoid spending more time with someone

9. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES People lie for different reasons.One common reason is to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new haircut?” If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.” Another common reason for lying is to avoid a fight. Say a friend angers you and then asks, “Are you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument. People also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely say, “That’s interesting.” In addition, people lie to avoid spending more time with someone. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.” Notice that words such as first, also, another, and finally often signal each new item of support.

10. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES Complete the outline for this paragraph. Many people think that they can’t improve their writing. The truth is that some tips can help you become a better writer. First of all, write often. Writing improves with practice. Secondly, organize your writing with an outline. An outline gives you a structure to build on. In addition, write in a plain style. Don’t try to use fancy language. Write as you would speak. Say what you mean simply and clearly. Finally, stick to your main ideas. Nothing improves writing more than avoiding unneeded words and statements. Point: Supporting detail:1. Supporting detail: 2. Supporting detail: 3. Supporting detail: 4.

11. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES Many people think that they can’t improve their writing. The truth is that some tips can help you become a better writer.First of all, write often. Writing improves with practice. Secondly, organize your writing with an outline. An outline gives you a structure to build on. In addition, write in a plain style. Don’t try to use fancy language. Write as you would speak. Say what you mean simply and clearly. Finally, stick to your main ideas. Nothing improves writing more than avoiding unneeded words and statements. Point:Some tips can help you become a better writer. Supporting detail:1.Write often. Supporting detail: 2.Organize your writing with an outline. Supporting detail: 3.Write in a plain style. Supporting detail: 4.Stick to your main ideas.

12. Point and Support Outline at the Essay/ Speech Level • The skills for making an outline for an essay are the same ones you used for outlining a paragraph. • With an essay or speech, you’ll simply need to outline what each paragraph will be about. • Just as all of your supporting details should support the main point of each paragraph, all of your main points should support the thesis or topic of your entire presentation.

13. How Should the Outline Look For Symposium? • Introduction- It’s a good practice to write out your entire introduction word-for-word. This way you can practice to get it just right, and make sure your thesis, or point is clear. II. 1st main point about topic • 1st supporting detail/ piece of evidence • 2nd supporting detail, etc. • 3rd supporting detail, etc. • 2nd main point about topic • Repeat ABC (or more) above • 3rd main point about topic- repeat for as many main points and supporting details as you have. Remember, you need 5-8 min. of material, so you may have several main points, and you may have many supporting details. • Conclusion- It’s also a good practice to write out your entire conclusion. Again, this will help you end strongly and clearly to your listeners.

14. POINT AND SUPPORT OUTLINES Remember the relationship between point and support:

15. Closing and Practice • Take a few minutes now to look at the sample outline templates your teacher has. • If you have time, you can start creating your own outline for your symposium topic. • Remember, you need to have several supporting details for all of your main points, and that’s where all of your research comes in!