Outlining as Pre-Writing — From Planner to Linear Outline

Children review their MG-8 category-boxes-and-bullets planner. Teacher asks: 'What does the planner show? What does it NOT show?'

• Affirm planner shows structure
• Note planner doesn't show order WITHIN a paragraph
• Bridge: 'An outline adds linear detail.'

Today you meet OUTLINING — a pre-writing tool more detailed than the boxes-and-bullets planner. An outline is LINEAR — it lists everything in the order it will appear in your draft. 4 levels (MG-9): LEVEL 1 (I., II., III., IV., V.) = section headings (intro / 3-5 body sections / conclusion). LEVEL 2 (A., B., C.) = sub-categories under each section. LEVEL 3 (1., 2., 3.) = details under each sub-category. LEVEL 4 (a., b., c.) = optional specifics under details. Watch teacher transition the Sojourner Truth planner into a 4-level outline. The planner shows 3 categories (Early Life / Speeches / Legacy); the outline expands each into sub-categories and details with sources. The outline is your SCRIPT — when you draft, you follow it.

• Notice the outline is more detailed than the planner — every body sentence has a place in it. When you draft, you follow this script.

  model I. Introduction A. Hook: 'What does it mean to find your voice?' B. Context: 19th century enslavement and abolition era C. Research-thesis: this report investigates how Sojourner Truth used her voice to change a nation across early life, speeches, and legacy. II. Early Life (1797-1826) A. Birth and family 1. Born ~1797 in Swartekill, NY (McKissack 1992) 2. Dutch first language B. Forced separations 1. Sold 4 times before age 9 (McKissack 1992) 2. Mother taught her to pray (Painter 1996) III. Speeches and Activism (1843-1870s) A. Adopted the name 'Sojourner Truth' in 1843 (McKissack 1992) B. 1851 Akron speech 1. "Ain't I a Woman?" attributed (Painter 1996) 2. Multiple versions exist (corroboration noted) IV. Legacy A. Cultural memorials (stamp, statue at Capitol) B. Continued influence on movements V. Conclusion: synthesis across categories.

  prompt Teacher converts Sojourner Truth planner into 4-level outline.

• What are the 4 levels of the outline, and what does each hold?
• How is an outline DIFFERENT from a planner?

M-4-S-WR-09-A Chart

Reproduction of MG-9 at 11x17: hierarchical template with 4 indent levels visibly distinct (I. furthest left, A. one indent, 1. two indents, a. three indents). Worked example for Sojourner Truth filled in across all 4 levels with source-tags. Print-ready, dyslexic-friendly font.

MG-9 Chart

Simple outline template (G4-spring introduction to outlining): hierarchical structure with 4 levels. LEVEL 1 (I., II., III., IV., V.) = section headings (intro / 3-5 body sections / conclusion). LEVEL 2 (A., B., C.) = sub-categories under each section. LEVEL 3 (1., 2., 3.) = details under each sub-category. LEVEL 4 (a., b., c.) = optional specifics under details. Worked example for Sojourner Truth report: 'I. Introduction A. Hook: opening question B. Context: 19th century enslavement and abolition C. Research-thesis: this report investigates how her voice changed a nation across early life, speeches, and legacy. II. Early Life (1797-1826) A. Birth and family 1. Born ~1797 in Swartekill, NY 2. Dutch first language (McKissack 1992) B. Forced separations 1. Sold 4 times before age 9 (McKissack 1992) 2. Mother taught her to pray (Painter 1996). III. Speeches and Activism A. 1851 Akron speech 1. "Ain't I a Woman?" attributed (Painter 1996) 2. Multiple versions exist (corroboration noted). IV. Legacy A. Cultural memorials B. Continued movements V. Conclusion: synthesis across categories.' Print-ready 11x17, dyslexic-friendly font.

• Convert YOUR MG-8 category-boxes-and-bullets planner into a 4-level outline using MG-9. Start with Levels I.-V. for sections; then add A./B./C. sub-categories under each; then add 1./2./3. details with source-tags.

  scaffold MG-9 template at 1.5x; indent-strip ruler; partner check
• Share outline with partner. Partner asks: 'Are your levels nested correctly? Does every body section have at least 2 sub-categories with details and sources?'

  scaffold Indent-strip ruler reference; partner check card

M-4-S-WR-09-B Illustration

Reference image of a Grade-4 child's filled 4-level outline on the Sojourner Truth topic, handwritten in pencil with correct indentation at each level and source-tags in parentheses. Print-ready 8.5x11.

• Hold up your outline. Partner names: Levels I-V, sub-categories per section, ≥1 detail per sub-category with source.
• Move status-tile to OUTLINE.

• Star the section with the most detail.
• Predict: tomorrow we launch Tier-2 Set 10 part 2 and figurative voice.

• Add Level 4 specifics (a., b., c.) to one section of your outline. Bring tomorrow.