instructables

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline

by morgae3

As a college student, learning from your class'
textbook is often essential. However, being a student
also means that time can rarely be found. I also
personally find it hard to focus while reading to the
point where my mind wanders shortly after beginning
to read. This is where outlines are useful. Outlines let
you absorb information without reading a whole
chapter. Additionally, outlines can be used later to
review for an upcoming test. I personally find it easier
to focus on the outline and helps me save time when
I'd otherwise be struggling to focus on reading.
Outlines are also easy to do! You'll find your own
personal style and have a better sense of what
should be included in the outline within a couple of
times of doing one.

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 1

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

An outline could be made in two ways. What you need depends on whether you want to write it on paper or type it
on the computer.

If you want to write it on paper you will need:

1. Something to write on; I'd recommend:

Loose leaf paper and 3-ring binder

OR

College ruled notebook

2. Pencil with eraser

If you want to type it on a computer you will need:

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Word Processor (Microsoft Word, Open Office, Google Docs, ect.)

For the sake of clarity and readability, I will be typing the example outline. However, I recommend writing it out
because writing is the more efficient way of learning.

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 2

Step 2: Choose Your Chapter

Outlines are done one chapter at a time. Go through your textbook and choose the chapter you want to do an
outline on. You will probably choose your chapter based on either of these situations:

1. Your professor has assigned reading for homework

2. There is a test coming up on a chapter that is particularly full of important information

I will choose Chapter 8 from one of my textbooks for the sake of an example.

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 3

Step 3: Starting Your Outline

Once you choose your chapter, you can begin the outline. The first step is to write the chapter that your outline is
on the top of the page. Include both the number and title of the chapter. This will make it easier to find and study
from later on. I use 14pt Times New Roman font but you may use whatever you like.

Step 4: Write a Preview of the Chapter

Textbook chapters often include a preview paragraph
before the first bolded headline. Before getting into
the real content of the chapter, write down a summary
of this preview paragraph in the outline. Your goal
here is to give yourself a good idea of what the
chapter is about. This particular preview paragraph is
short. If your preview paragraph is a bit longer, skim
through it and look for the basic idea.
If your chapter does not have a preview
paragraph, you may skip this step.

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 4

Step 5: Labeling Each Section

Now it's time to get into the content of the chapter. Each section of the chapter is separated by large bolded letters
called a headline. This makes the chapter organized and will also make our outline organized. On your outline, use
some method of formatting such as having an A, B, C, ect. for each headline. You may use roman numerals or
something else if you like. I will be using letters.

Step 6: Write Definitions for the Section

Skim through the current section and look for any
definitions on the side or any words in bold. Write
them in your outline in an indented like below the title
following your format choice (I will use lowercase
roman numerals). Underline the word and follow it
with the definition. If the word is followed by a
paragraph instead of an obvious definition like it is
here, glance at the back of the book for a glossary at
the back of the book for the definition. When all else
fails, skim through the paragraph and try your best to
come up with a definition on your own.

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 5

Step 7: Summarize the Section

Skim through each paragraph and search for
important facts and key information. The first and last
sentence often include important info or give a better
idea of what to look for. Write a 1-4 sentence
summary on your outline below the definitions. Keep
it on the same indent level as definitions but use a
different letter, number, ect. for each paragraph
summary. I will use lower case letters. If the concept
is particularly difficult, include provided examples as
part of the summary.

Step 8: Draw Tables and Charts

When you summarize each paragraph, include helpful tables and charts. This does not just include copying charts
and tables printed in the book. Sometimes info included in a paragraph is better expressed as a table or chart than
as sentences. For example, The above paragraph seems to almost have its information like a list. The paragraph
briefly describes different parts of the main idea. Perfect for a table!

Step 9: Repeat Steps 4-8 For the Rest of the Chapter

Follow the mentioned steps for each section, keeping in mind what information is important. Sometimes there are
entire paragraphs of example. It is okay to skip these paragraphs if you have already grasped the concept.

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 6

Step 10: Answer the End-of-Chapter Questions

My textbook did not have questions at the end, but Optional extra step:
yours likely will. The picture is from a different
textbook for the sake of an example. Feel free to skip If you have questions about the chapter, write them at
definition questions if you already have the definition the very end. Review your notes to find the answer or
in your outline. Likewise, your textbook most likely ask your professor. They'll appreciate your interest in
has multiple questions covering the same concept. If the subject!
this is the case, write down at least one question (and
solution) for each concept at the end of your outline.
Check your answer.

Step 11: Save Your Finished Outline and Keep it Somewhere Safe

Great job, you made your outline!
If you wrote it on loose paper:
Put the outline in the 3-ring binder. Keep all outlines
from the same text together in the binder. It will stay
organized and make for easy access.
Make a folder dedicated to the class that you did the
outline for. Drag the outline file into the folder.
If you wrote it in a notebook:
You're already set! You may add a bookmark to
signify where your outline is if you see fit.

If you typed it on a computer:

How to Make a Textbook Chapter Outline: Page 7