
The Basics: What is an outline?
“To outline means to give the main features, structure or general principles of the topic in question; omitting minor details.”
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus…
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus…
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus…
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus…
The Function of an Outline: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
The Structure of an Outline
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus.
The Language of an Outline
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus.
Skills to practice
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus.
Practice Tasks
Grading Criteria
100% | The content of the text in question is grouped with high logic. The main features of the text are displayed in a concise and incisive manner.
80-90% | The content of the text in question is well grouped. The main features of the text are coherently displayed.
60-70% | The content of the text in question is sufficiently organized, although a lack of coherence is at times visible.
40-50% | The assignment suffers from a lack in organization and coherence.
20-30% | Topics seem to be randomly picked and aligned; there is virtually no coherence or organization visible.
0-10% | The assignment suffers from an absence in logic in the display of the source’s content.
100% | Excellent balance between the representation of main features, structure or general principles and the omission of minor details.
80-90% | Good balance between the representation of main features, structure or general principles and the omission of minor details.
60-70% | The main features, structure or general principle of the text in question are only partially displayed, and / or many details are presented.
40-50% | Some main features, structure or general principles are given, but the overall balance of the content ratio is flawed.
20-30% | The overall balance of main features and minor details is heavily flawed.
0-10% | The incoherent display of main features and minor details suggest a lack of understanding of the text in question.
100% | The text’s original meaning is excellently reworded, while the content stays true to its original meaning.
80-90% | The text’s original meaning is sufficiently paraphrased. A great resemblance to the original meaning can be observed.
60-70% | The paraphrasing of the text’s original meaning is attempted, but there are some flaws to be recognized. There is a resemblance to the original meaning.
40-50% | The paraphrasing of the text’s original meaning is vaguely attempted; the assignment only barely displays the content of the text in question.
20-30% | Large parts of the text in question are taken over word for word, often in the form of inappropriate or missing quotations.
0-10% | In terms of content transfer, the displayed assignment cannot be considered as an own accomplishment.
100% | A usage of language that is virtually free of any errors. Almost no violations of the linguistic norm. The comprehensibility can be considered as effortless throughout the full assignment.
80-90% | Language which is to a great extent free of errors. Only a few violations of the linguistic norm; good comprehensibility.
60-70% | Appropriate use of language. Some offences against the linguistic norm, but the text can still be easily understood.
40-50% | Acceptable use of language. Occasionally also grave offences against the linguistic norm; in some places the comprehensibility is flawed.
20-30% | Barely acceptable use of language; a lot of partly grave offences against the linguistic norm; the comprehensibility is seriously flawed.
0-10% | The use of language does not satisfy the assignment and the demands of this task.
100% | A rich and differentiated use of vocabulary and idioms, highly appropriate in its register, is shown in an excellent rewording of the original model of the text in question..
80-90% | An accurate use of vocabulary and idioms, appropriate in its register, is shown in a well-fitting rewording of the original model of the text in question. .
60-70% | A to a large extent secure use of basic vocabulary, acceptable register, but there are occasionally troubles to rephrase the original text.
40-50% | Use of a simple and limited vocabulary, that still attempts to rephrase the original text. The register might not always be appropriate.
20-30% | A lack of vocabulary and idiomatic range is shown by excessive use of whole phrases taken over from the text in question.
0-10% | An own accomplishment in using vocabulary and idioms cannot be recognized and / or the register is unacceptable. Full passages might be copied.
100% | A differentiated use of grammatical and syntactic structures of all complexity levels. Grammatical tenses are suitable to the requested text format throughout the full assignment.
80-90% | To a great extent differentiated use of rather complex syntactic and grammatical structures. Only slight errors in tense or structure usage.
60-70% | Appropriate use of grammatical and syntactic structures, but rather basic. There are certain difficulties in forming complex sentences.
40-50% | Use of simple grammatical and syntactic structures as well as a significant number of errors in tense or structure usage.
20-30% | Repetitive use of sentence structures; numerous mistakes in tense or structural usage.
0-10% | The grammatical complexity does not satisfy the formal nature of the task.
100% | Excellent use of structural elements.
80-90% | Good use of structural elements.
60-70% | Satisfying use of structural elements.
40-50% | Structural elements are only occasionally used and are often unsuitable.
20-30% |Missing or unsuitable use of structural elements.
0-10% | The usage of structural elements does not fulfil the requirements of the task.
Content
Content Logic
- How well is the text in question grouped?
- Are the main features of the text displayed concisely and incisively enough?
Content
Content Ratio
- How well is the balance between the representation of main features, structure or general principles?
- Are minor details left out?
Content
Content Equivalence
- How well is the original text reworded?
- Does its content stay true to its original meaning?
Language
Accuracy
- Is the language free of errors, are there violations of the linguistic norm?
- How effortless is the comprehensibility of the assignment?
Language
Idiomatic and Vocabulary
- Is there a differentiated usage of vocabulary and idioms?
- How appropriate is the register to the task?
- How well is the text reworded with regard to the choice of words?
Language
Grammar and Syntax
- How differentiated is the usage of grammatical and syntactic structures?
- How complex is the used phrasing?
- Are grammatical tenses suitable to the requested text format throughout the full assignment?
Language
Text Structure
- How well are structural elements used?
- Does the used language support the cohesion of paragraphs?
Evaluate yourself!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eu nisl sit amet ipsum vulputate pulvinar. Quisque faucibus arcu aliquam, volutpat ex at, porttitor nulla. Vestibulum eleifend mollis erat vel bibendum. Phasellus feugiat sed nulla vel tristique. Nullam et molestie nisl, ut finibus mauris. Morbi luctus cursus quam vel pharetra. Nullam consectetur tortor vitae ligula cursus, a lacinia magna luctus.