Outlining a text—identifying its main idea and major parts—can be an important step in your reading process.

As you outline, pay attention to the text’s thesis statement (main idea) and topic sentences because they serve as important signposts for readers. A thesis statement often appears in the introduction, usually in the first or second paragraph. Topic sentences can be found at the beginning of most body paragraphs, where they signal the author’s key points.

Put the author’s thesis and key points in your own words.

Notice that the outline of the annotated article does not simply trace the author’s ideas paragraph by paragraph; instead, it sums up the article’s central points.