- \n
- Unity:<\/strong><\/span> We want our writing to stay focused on one whole-composition main idea (thesis, etc.) and include only what supports that idea.<\/li>\n
- Coherence:<\/strong><\/span> We want our ideas to be arranged in a logical order so that the writing flows clearly from one point to the next.<\/li>\n
- Emphasis:<\/strong><\/span> We want our most important ideas to be highlighted through placement and development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Outlining Goals: Five More Essential Concepts in Writing<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Proportion:<\/strong><\/span> We want our important ideas to receive more space and development than less important ideas.<\/li>\n
- Selection:<\/strong><\/span> We want to choose only the most relevant and effective ideas.<\/li>\n
- Sequence:<\/strong> <\/span>We want our ideas to be arranged in the most effective order.<\/li>\n
- Variety:<\/strong><\/span> We want our writing to include enough variation to remain engaging and effective.<\/li>\n
- Clearness:<\/strong><\/span> We want our ideas to be expressed so the reader easily understands the meaning.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
When we examine an outline, these concepts shine. In paragraph form, they are often difficult to see. But remember\u2014what exists within an outline also exists within the corresponding whole composition.<\/p>\n
\nThe Nine Important Concepts Found in Outlines<\/h2>\n
Now, let’s learn about our nine concepts that relate specifically to outlining.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Levels<\/li>\n
- Hierarchy<\/li>\n
- Division and Categorization<\/li>\n
- Coordination and Subordination<\/li>\n
- Parts and Wholes<\/li>\n
- General to Specific and Specific to General (Chunking Down and Chunking Up)<\/li>\n
- Parallelism<\/li>\n
- Symmetry<\/li>\n
- Consistency<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nOutlining Concepts 1 and 2: Levels and Hierarchy<\/h2>\n
Levels and hierarchy are both very important terms in the world of outlining. In fact, outlines are often referred to as hierarchical outlines, and outlines are often named according to the number of levels included: one-level outline, two-level outline, three-level outline, and so on.<\/p>\n
A hierarchy is a system of arrangement based on rank, position, or importance. Items in a hierarchy fall into one of three categories:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Superordinate:<\/strong> higher in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Coordinate:<\/strong> equal in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Subordinate:<\/strong> lower in rank, power. or importance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are also two types of levels:<\/p>\n
Types of Levels<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Non-hierarchical levels<\/strong><\/span>\n
- \n
- Examples:<\/strong> grade levels, parking structures, rainforest layers. As an example, one grade level is not more powerful or important than another grade level. Every grade level has equal importance. Likewise, the third level of a parking structure is not more important or powerful than the second level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Hierarchical levels<\/strong><\/span>\n
- \n
- Examples:<\/strong> outlines, corporate structures, military command, food chains. To be clear, a general in the military has more power than a captain. And a captain has more power than a private.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In short, all hierarchies have levels, but not all systems of levels form hierarchies.<\/p>\n
\nLevels and Hierarchy in Writing<\/h2>\n
People rarely use the terms levels and hierarchy when discussing writing\u2014but they should. There is a direct connection between the levels in an outline and the parts of a whole composition.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-content\/uploads\/whole-compostion-levels-in-outline.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThis connection is a two-way street:<\/p>\n
- \n
- We create outlines to build compositions<\/li>\n
- We extract outlines to understand compositions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important Ideas About Levels<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Minutia:<\/strong> Small details may add meaning\u2014or they may need to be removed<\/li>\n
- Ground Zero:<\/strong> The topic or thesis becomes the starting point of writing<\/li>\n
- Relativity:<\/strong> Every idea is an accordion\u2014you can expand or shrink it<\/li>\n
- Whole Compositions:<\/strong> Sentences build paragraphs; paragraphs build compositions; compositions build books<\/li>\n
- Sentence Combining:<\/strong> One sentence can contain multiple levels of meaning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nOutlining Concept 3: Division and Categorization<\/h2>\n
This may sound strange, but it is powerful: every item in an outline is a category. Writing is the act of dividing topics into categories. We divide a topic (category) into smaller topics (more categories), and then we write about those topics. The HIGHEST-LEVEL topic<\/strong><\/span> is in control of the lower LOWER-LEVEL topics<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n
At its most basic level, the writing process is this:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Divide a topic into categories (ideas, reasons, causes, claims, points, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Make statements about those categories (Note: Topic sentences were originally called topic statements.)<\/li>\n
- Support those statements with details (explanation, evidence, description, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
A paragraph is a category. A topic sentence is a statement about that category. The details support that statement.<\/p>\n
Example of Division and Categorization in Writing<\/h3>\n
We choose the topic of PETS. We divide that up into categories. One category is CATS. We choose to write about CATS. We divide the topic of CATS into various categories: 1) what CATS do, 2) what CATS eat, and 3) how to train a CAT.<\/p>\n
Then we start dividing each of the lower categories into categories. We divide the category of \u201cwhat CATS eat\u201d into the categories of 1) dry food, 2) wet food, etc.<\/p>\n
In short, writing is always a process of dividing topics into categories.<\/p>\n
\n\nWriting Success:<\/span> <\/strong>If your students can\u2019t organize a paragraph, they can\u2019t write an essay. From confusion to clear essays\u2014in months, not years.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0delivers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nOutlining Concept 4: Coordination and Subordination<\/h2>\n
Few concepts are as important in writing as coordination and subordination. This is especially true in creating an outline for our writing.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Superordinate:<\/strong> higher in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Coordinate:<\/strong> equal in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Subordinate:<\/strong> lower in rank, power. or importance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You may have heard of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. These concepts are not just for sentences\u2014they apply to the organization of ideas across an entire composition.\u00a0In outlining, these relationships determine how ideas are arranged and understood.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Superordinate ideas<\/strong><\/span> sit at the top of this structure, guiding the overall direction of the outline.<\/li>\n
- Coordinate ideas<\/span> <\/strong><\/span>appear at the same level in an outline because they share equal importance and develop the same superordinate main point (thesis, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Subordinate ideas<\/strong><\/span> are placed beneath a higher-level idea to show that they support, explain, or provide details about it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
By using coordination and subordination effectively, a writer creates a clear hierarchy of ideas, making the structure of the composition logical, organized, and easy for readers to follow.<\/p>\n
\nOutlining Concept 5: Parts and Wholes<\/h2>\n
Wholes can be divided into parts, and parts can be put together to create wholes. The concept of Parts and Wholes has meaning for nearly everything in the entire universe, including our writing.<\/p>\n
Essential Idea:<\/span> <\/strong><\/span>In outlining, a whole (essay, paragraph, or section) is made up of parts (main points, supporting ideas, details). At the same time, those parts work together to form a complete, unified whole.<\/p>\n
In outlining, Parts and Wholes work closely with the previous concept of Coordination and Subordination, as well as the other key concepts, to create a clear, organized structure.<\/p>\n
A \u201cwhole\u201d in writing might be an entire essay, a body section, or even a single paragraph. Each of these wholes can be divided into smaller \u201cparts,\u201d such as main ideas, supporting points, and specific details. At the same time, those smaller parts combine to form a meaningful whole, giving the writing unity and completeness.<\/p>\n
Whole Essay vs. The Parts of an Essay<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Whole Essay:<\/strong> Composed of Parts<\/li>\n
- The Parts of a Whole Essay:<\/strong> Introduction Paragraph, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion Paragraph<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Whole Paragraph vs. The Parts of a Paragraph<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Whole Body Paragraph:<\/strong> Composed of Parts<\/li>\n
- The Parts of a Whole Body Paragraph:<\/strong> Topic sentence (main idea), evidence, explanation, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How Parts and Wholes Connect to Some of Our Other Concepts:<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Levels:<\/strong> Parts appear at different levels (main ideas vs. details). All of the levels work together to form the whole.<\/li>\n
- Hierarchy:<\/strong> Larger wholes sit above smaller parts in importance.<\/li>\n
- Division and Categorization:<\/strong> A whole is divided into clear, logical groups of parts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In short, Parts and Wholes help writers see both the big picture and the smaller components at the same time. By understanding how ideas can be divided and combined, a writer can create an outline that is complete, well-structured, and logically connected from beginning to end.<\/p>\n
\nOutlining Concept 6: General to Specific and Specific to General<\/h2>\n
General to Specific and Specific to General: Chunking Down and Chunking Up<\/h3>\n
We can Chunk Down and go from general to specific; or we can Chunk Up and go from specific to general. When we Chunk Up and Chunk Down, we move through Levels of Specificity. Let\u2019s take a look at seven levels of specificity:<\/p>\n
The concept of \u201cLevel of Specificity\u201d is a common one; and as you can see, it means exactly what it says. We can move up levels from specific to general, or we can move down levels from general to specific. Each level is a category and each item at each level is a category. Some categories are specific and some are general.<\/p>\n
How Does this Relate to Outlining?<\/h4>\n
Outlines are built by moving between general and specific ideas.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Chunking Down (General \u2192 Specific)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Start with a broad main idea (top of the outline)<\/li>\n
- Break it into smaller parts = lower levels on the outline (subpoints and details)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Chunking Up (Specific \u2192 General)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Take specific details<\/li>\n
- Group them into larger categories or main ideas = What’s the point of all of these details? What’s the point of all of these paragraphs?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- In an outline:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Top levels = more general ideas<\/li>\n
- Lower levels = more specific details<\/li>\n
- Each step down increases specificity; each step up increases generality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Simple example:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- General:<\/strong> \u201cEducation\u201d\n
- \n
- More specific: \u201cCollege\u201d\n
- \n
- Even more specific:<\/strong> \u201cStudy habits\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Bottom line:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Outlining works by organizing ideas across levels of specificity\u2014either breaking big ideas into smaller parts or combining small details into bigger ideas. Each level is a category. Some categories are broad, and some are specific. Strong writing moves clearly between these levels.<\/p>\n
\nOutlining Concept 7: Parallelism<\/h2>\n
Parallelism is about similarity and structure. When ideas are equal (coordinate), we want to express them in similar form. We want parallel structure.\u00a0Have you studied math? If so, you have surely heard the term parallel. Early mathematical instruction on parallel includes the study of parallel lines and parallelograms.<\/p>\n
![\"This](\"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-content\/uploads\/parallel-structure.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cOh yeah! I remember those!\u201d\u00a0Excellent! I thought you would! But did you know the concept of parallelism has an important use in writing? Well, it does!\u00a0In writing, parallel has a close relationship with coordinate.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Coordinate:<\/strong> Equal in rank, position, or importance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When ideas are coordinate, ideally, we want to express them in a parallel structure. But actually, the concept of parallelism in writing is much bigger than that. Let\u2019s take a closer look at parallelism.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Definition: Parallel:<\/strong> Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; leading to or creating the same result; a resemblance or similarity, and the continuation of that resemblance or similarity; a comparison made; similar to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Parallelism in Outlines<\/h4>\n
In outlines, parallelism is a rule, not just a suggestion. If ideas are coordinate (equal in rank), they should be written in the same grammatical form. This makes the outline easier to read, easier to follow, and logically consistent. When parallel structure is missing, the outline feels uneven and confusing\u2014which is why teachers often insist on it.<\/p>\n
Comparison Examples:<\/h4>\n
- Definition: Parallel:<\/strong> Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; leading to or creating the same result; a resemblance or similarity, and the continuation of that resemblance or similarity; a comparison made; similar to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Coordinate:<\/strong> Equal in rank, position, or importance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Even more specific:<\/strong> \u201cStudy habits\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- More specific: \u201cCollege\u201d\n
- General:<\/strong> \u201cEducation\u201d\n
- Hierarchy:<\/strong> Larger wholes sit above smaller parts in importance.<\/li>\n
- The Parts of a Whole Body Paragraph:<\/strong> Topic sentence (main idea), evidence, explanation, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- The Parts of a Whole Essay:<\/strong> Introduction Paragraph, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion Paragraph<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Coordinate ideas<\/span> <\/strong><\/span>appear at the same level in an outline because they share equal importance and develop the same superordinate main point (thesis, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Coordinate:<\/strong> equal in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Superordinate:<\/strong> higher in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Ground Zero:<\/strong> The topic or thesis becomes the starting point of writing<\/li>\n
- Minutia:<\/strong> Small details may add meaning\u2014or they may need to be removed<\/li>\n
- Hierarchical levels<\/strong><\/span>\n
- Examples:<\/strong> grade levels, parking structures, rainforest layers. As an example, one grade level is not more powerful or important than another grade level. Every grade level has equal importance. Likewise, the third level of a parking structure is not more important or powerful than the second level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Coordinate:<\/strong> equal in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Superordinate:<\/strong> higher in rank, power, or importance<\/li>\n
- Selection:<\/strong><\/span> We want to choose only the most relevant and effective ideas.<\/li>\n
- Coherence:<\/strong><\/span> We want our ideas to be arranged in a logical order so that the writing flows clearly from one point to the next.<\/li>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-content\/uploads\/symmetry.jpg\")
<\/p>\n