Process Step 3

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Process: Step 1 ] [ Process: Step 2 ] [ Process: Step 3 ] [ Final Outline ]

Process for Developing the Outline: Step 3

Outlining Supporting Paragraphs

Now that topic sentences have been developed, the next step in the process is to outline the individual supporting paragraphs. Although only one paragraph will be outlined as an example of what must be done, keep in mind that this process is duplicated for the development of all paragraphs in the body of the composition.

At the top of a separate sheet of paper, write the first topic sentence. In this case, the topic sentence, "This form of government is antiquated" will appear at the top of the paper. Now, question the first topic sentence to determine what the primary supporting ideas will be. (Note that you are using the same approach you did when generating the topic sentences to support your thesis.) This "brain-storming" technique should provide you with a number of ideas which will indicate that your topic sentence is valid and worthy of support. List as many ideas as possible, keeping in mind that if you have difficulty creating these ideas, you might not have an idea substantial enough to support your thesis.

Once your list is complete, be certain that each idea is directly related to and supports the main idea in the topic sentence. If you find any ideas not directly related to and supporting the main idea, cross them off your list; "Junk them!" If retained, they will only destroy the unity of the paragraph. Once your list is complete, structure each primary supporting idea in sentence form. Your outline of this paragraph might look something like the following:

This form of government is antiquated.

It does not reflect the temper of the times.

	Form hasn't changed in eighty years.
	No attempt has been made to change it.

This form of government is unresponsive.

	Officials don't meet regularly.
	Meeting dates are not posted.
	No central communications office has been established.
	The public is not invited to attend important meetings.

Too many unnecessary people are employed.

	Some lack knowledge of contemporary issues.
	Particular offices are overburdened with work.
	Other offices should be eliminated.

Few services are provided.

	The individual must pay for garbage collection.
	Some streets are not plowed during winter.

5. Many governmental tasks are duplicated.

You will notice in the outline for this first paragraph that all the primary supporting ideas are directly related to the main idea of the topic sentence. Also, particular primary supporting ideas are substantiated with secondary supporting ideas. You should provide secondary supporting ideas when necessary to further support the topic sentence. Also, you can determine which rhetorical writing devices will allow you to properly state your ideas. For instance, primary #4 in the sample outline of the first paragraph is further enhanced with examples of two services which the consumer is lacking. If necessary, additional examples of "lack of government services" might be provided to substantiate the primary supporting idea.

Luzerne County Community College makes this page available to members of the community
for possible use and enjoyment but does not necessarily endorse the items published here.