Introduction to Academic English

Outline Drafting

Hanging Gardens

Instructions: To practice drafting an outline, complete each step below using the essay question and the source texts from the webpage below to help you.

Essay Question: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the most impressive historical buildings in the world. Describe what a ziggurat is, the Hanging Gardens and how the gardens were irrigated.

Example of all steps (1, 2, & 3)

  1. Annotate your source texts for Body Paragraph 1.

• Then make a list (Draft 1) below of everything that you annotated in the source texts for Body Paragraph 1.

  1. Reorganize the information into an outline.
  2. Edit your outline and add a conclusion.

Draft 1

Body 1
•Part of ancient Mes. Cul.
•Found many cities – archaeologists – modern Iraq 19 in 16 cities – 1000sq km
(Osman, 2011)
•Temple – top – dedicated to local gods (Osman, 2011)
•Pyramid construction - terraced
•Religious symbol – citizens = very proud (Osman, 2011)
•Seen all over city
•V. large buildings
•Mud brick center – outer walls = baked brick – no rooms inside – external stairway to
top (Ali, 1997)
•Terraces - contained plants
•Dimensions = 40x50 at base 50 meters high (Ali, 1997)

Draft 2

Body 1 - Main Idea / Zigguarat - building in ancient Mesopotamia
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence / Zigg - played a part - ancient Mesopotamian cul. Religious symbol – seen all over
city - Prof Ali Baghdad Uni =citizens proud
Modern Iraq - archaeologists -19 discovered in 16 cities – large area
• Large religious towers of Babylonians
• Tall terraced pyramids – usually contained plants
• temple on top – dedicated to local gods
Mud brick center – outer walls = baked brick – no rooms inside – external stairway to
top. Dimensions = 40x50 at bas

Draft 3

Body 1 - Main Idea / Zigg = Played a part - ancient Mesopotamian cul. + unique physical features
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence / • Important religious symbol - seen all over
• Prof Ali Baghdad Uni =citizens proud (Osman, 2011)
• Modern Iraq archaeologists - 19 discovered –in 16 cities – large area (Osman, 2011)
• Large religious tower of Babylonians
• Tall terraced pyramids – usually contained plants
• Temple on top – dedicated to local gods
• Mud brick center – outer walls = baked brick – no rooms inside – external stairway to top. Dimensions = 40x50 at base 50 meters high

Step 1:

• Annotate your source texts for Body Paragraphs 1, 2, & 3 as well as the introduction

• Then make a list (Draft 1) below of everything that you annotated in the source texts for Body Paragraphs 1, 2, & 3 as well as the introduction.

Note: In this first step, it is acceptable to have repeating items. That means they are important. Try to write them as notes in your own words when you can.

Draft 1

Introduction

General Statement / Background / Importance






Body 2











Body 3














Step 2: Make an outline (Draft 2) of everything that you listed from the source texts for Body Paragraphs 1, 2, & 3 as well as the introduction.

Note: In this second step:

• Pick out repeating items and only use them one time.

• Reorganize your points.

• Try to organize the important points you choose in order from general to specific information, giving explanations first and then examples.

• Group your information together with points that support each other.

• Try to write them as notes in your own words when you can.

Draft 2

Introduction
General Statement
Background
(Key terms) - if necessary
Importance
Aim
Sequence
Body 2 - Main Idea
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence
Body 3 - Main Idea
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence

Step 3: Edit your outline (Draft 3) for Body Paragraphs 1, 2, & 3 as well as the introduction.

Note: In this third step:

• Make sure your info is organized well.

• Is everything in the correct paragraph?

• Are all repeated items removed?

• Is your information grouped appropriately?

• Is it in a general to specific order?

• Check your citations.

• Do you have enough?

• Are they following the correct information?

Note: Add a conclusion now.

• Repeat the aim you wrote in the introduction.

• Give a summary of the three body paragraph main points.

• Give an academic comment.

• The comment includes an opinion.

• Use language that expresses opinions and explain how you and people feel about the topic.

• Example: extraordinary

• Example: wondrous

• It also includes future action.

• Talk about what people can do in the future or future research that can be done to improve knowledge and understanding of this topic.

Draft 3

Introduction
General Statement
Background
(Key terms) - if necessary
Importance
Aim
Sequence
Body 1 - Main Idea
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence
Body 2 - Main Idea
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence
Body 3 - Main Idea
Support
• explanations
• examples
• evidence
Conclusion
  1. Restate Aim
  2. Summary
  3. Academic Comment (Opinion & Future Action)