The Outlining Method

Mr. Gilman often requires that notes from reading assignments be done in outline form.

When to Use –

• It is a good format to use when taking notes from reading a textbook. 

• Unless the student is experienced in note-taking, this format is difficult to use during a lecture due to the speed and amount of information some lecturers are capable of presenting.  The exception being when the lecture is being presented following the outline format.

Method –

• Listen or read, then write in points in an organized pattern.

• Place major points farthest to the left.

  • Indent each more specific point to the right (or center if there are more than two columns).

    • Levels of importance will be indicated by distance away from the left margin.

    • Each indented note should be directly related to the note above it. 

• Markings are not necessary as space relationships will indicate the major/minor points, however using different style "bullets" such as the solid dots, hollow dots, and squares in front of these notes further serve to differentiate levels of specificity of your notes. 

Advantages –

• Well-organized system if done right; therefore assisting the student in understand the relationships of the information in the notes.

• Outlining records content as well as relationships (the relationship of one note to the other is indicated by the indentations with general or main points at the left margin and more specific information, details, and examples directly below and indented to the right of the point above it).

• It also reduces editing and is easy to review by turning main points (those at the left-most margin) into questions with the information directly below and indented providing the answers.

• Outlines of notes can serve as a prewriting guide to be used in answering essay questions based on the material covered.

Disadvantages –

• Requires more thought in class for accurate organization.

• This system cannot be used if the lecture is too fast.

Hints –

• When taking notes in a hurry (i.e., from a lecture) don’t worry about spelling, grammar, etc. – concentrate instead on getting down the important information
  • Corrections and revisions can happen later, if needed.
• Use of abbreviations and symbols will not only improve the speed of taking notes, but are also important memory aids.
• Use of different colors, either during (if you have time) or after note taking will also assist as a memory aid.
• Using different types of “bullets” like the one in front of this point, can help you differentiate levels of importance or distance from the left of base margin.
  • When typed in MS Word or some other word processing software applications, the software will provide these different bullet styles for you as you see here. 

A SHORT EXAMPLE FOLLOWS:

Class: High School Social Studies

Date: today's date

Topic: Mr. Gilman

MR. GILMAN

Personal Information.

• He is the high school social studies teacher at my school.

• He is from Virginia, USA.

• He has some interesting hobbies.   

  • Scuba-diving.

  • Ocean-kayaking.

    • He often fishes from his kayak when in Virginia.

  • Judo.

    • He used to study Judo when he lived and taught in Japan.

• He is single (and likes Brittany Spears!)

• He likes chocolate.

Education

• He has a BS degree in Administration from West Virginia University.

• He has a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Old Dominion University (ODU).

• He is currently working on a Master of Arts degree in Education, also from ODU.

Courses and Activities

• He teachers two history courses at my school.

  • 9th grade - Modern World History

  • 19th grade - American History

• He also teachers two electives at my school.

  • 1st Semester - Model United Nations

  • 2nd Semester - Introduction to Psychology

• He also sponsors the High School Student Council