The Reverse Outline Using Scrible

This lesson introduces students to the reverse outlining technique, where they generate an outline from their existing draft. Using Scrible, students will examine their writing to identify areas for improvement, mainly focusing on structural coherence and adherence to the topic.

The reverse outline technique effectively allows students to analyze their writing, promoting self-assessment skills critically. It helps students visualize the actual structure of their drafts, making it easier to identify and address discrepancies between their intended and actual arguments or narratives.

Objective: Students will create a reverse outline from their drafts to critically assess and enhance the structure and focus of their writing.

Learning Outcome: Students can identify and rectify structural issues and off-topic deviations in their writing, leading to a more coherent and focused final piece.

Rationale: The reverse outlining technique is an invaluable strategy for students to critically engage with their own writing, fostering a deeper understanding of their work's structure and content. This method encourages students to view their drafts from a new perspective, identifying areas where the narrative or argument may lose focus or coherence. By generating a reverse outline, students can pinpoint and address discrepancies between their planned and actual writing, enhancing their work's overall clarity and effectiveness. This exercise not only aids in developing organizational and revision skills but also promotes critical thinking and self-assessment, empowering students to become more independent and reflective writers. Utilizing Scrible for this process integrates technology into the learning experience, providing a platform for students to systematically analyze and improve their writing in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Activity:

Step 1 - Draft Review

Initially, reviewing the draft without making changes allows students to read their work as a whole, understanding the flow and main points they've conveyed.

Activity: Students will first read through either a provided written draft or their own completed draft in Scrible, resisting the urge to make immediate corrections or annotations.

Step 2 - Creating the Reverse Outline

Constructing a reverse outline helps students distill their draft into main points and supporting details, providing a clear view of its structure and content.

Activity: Using Scrible, students will create an outline that captures the main idea of each paragraph or section of their draft, noting any supporting points or evidence they've included.

Step 3 - Analysis and Identification

Analyzing the reverse outline enables students to identify areas where the draft may deviate from the central topic or where the argument loses coherence.

Activity: Students will compare the reverse outline to their initial outline (if available) or their intended structure, identifying areas where the text veers off-topic or lacks logical progression.

Step 4 - Revising the Draft

With insights from the reverse outline, students can make targeted revisions to improve the draft's clarity, coherence, and focus.

Activity: Students will revise their drafts in Scrible, using the reverse outline as a guide to restructure content, enhance topic adherence, and ensure logical progression.

Step 5 - Peer Review and Final Revision

Peer feedback provides external perspectives on the effectiveness of the revisions, while a final revision ensures the draft aligns with the intended message or argument.

Activity: Students will share their revised drafts and reverse outlines in Scrible for peer review, then incorporate feedback into a final revision, refining their writing for clarity and coherence.

Standards Alignment:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5 & W.11-12.5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4 & W.11-12.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience.

*If your school or district references standards other than Common Core for writing, please reach out, and our team can provide the Scrible standard alignment for your set of standards.