Outlines

If you grew up in the United States, chances are good that you had some kind of contact with outlines in high school. Like formal essay-writing (to which it is closely related), outlining is an incredibly useful tool that a lot of people end up hating because it was shoved down their throat at one time or another.

An outline is useful because it is hierarchical. Every topic is divided into subtopics, sub-subtopics, and so on down to the smallest details. The examples coming up should demonstrate more or less how it works.

One important thing to remember about outlines is that they are more flexible than they look. Some items might fall reasonably into more than one category, or be closely connected to items in other categories. This is why integration is so important in our Portfolios-- we have to point out the connections that our basic format doesn't make obvious. Here is, as an example, the first-draft outline of this Resource Guide, as it was arranged just after our initial brainstorming session (which is a good way to get topics for an outline). Click on the pages to see them full-size (in the printed version, the pages are immediately following this section):

Now look at the final version (which is the Table of Contents) and note that many items have shifted categories or "level of importance."

Workshop Discussion Sparks

Categories and what they are for
The advantages and limitations of hierarchy (simplicity & efficiency vs. rigidity)

Inspired and Creative

Consider it a creative challenge to do a creative outline!

Rigorous Training

Maybe practice by outlining your Learning Plan. Focus first on the largest categories, then work your way towards the details.

AAAAAGGGHHHH!

Try using brainstorming or bubble networks to lay out your thoughts, and then sort them into groups.

See Also

Contribute to the Portfolio Resource Guide!!!

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