Outline Meaning
Outline Definition & Usage
A general description or plan that outlines the main points or features of something, typically in a brief or sketch form.
Examples
- "Before starting the essay, I wrote an outline to organize my thoughts."
- "The meeting started with an outline of the company's new marketing strategy."
- "Can you provide me with an outline of the presentation so I can prepare?"
- "The outline of the novel was detailed enough to guide the entire writing process."
- "I looked at the outline of the project before diving into the research phase."
The outer edge or shape of something, often used in reference to a drawing or visual representation.
Examples
- "The outline of the building was visible against the morning sky."
- "I could see the outline of the mountain range in the distance."
- "Her sketch started with a rough outline before she filled in the details."
- "The artist focused on the outline of the figure before adding color."
- "The map only showed the outline of the country without detailed geography."
To summarize or describe the main points or features of something.
Examples
- "The professor outlined the key points of the lecture for us."
- "Can you outline your plan for the project?"
- "He outlined the company's future goals during the meeting."
- "Before we start, I’ll outline the steps we'll be taking today."
- "The coach outlined the strategy for the upcoming game."
Cultural Context
The term 'outline' has its roots in art and written discourse, evolving to represent the act of structuring or mapping ideas. In educational and professional contexts, an outline is often the first step in a more elaborate process, such as writing or planning.
The Outline of Success
Story
The Outline of Success
Mark sat at his desk, staring at the blank page. The deadline was fast approaching, and yet the task seemed impossible. He had to write a detailed report for his company, but the thoughts were tangled in his mind like a mess of wires. He knew he couldn’t just dive in without some structure. Reaching for his notebook, he began to outline the key points. 'Introduction, market analysis, financial projections,' he wrote, bulleting each one. The outline helped him breathe easier. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave him a clear path forward. A few hours later, with the outline as his guide, Mark finished the report with time to spare. That evening, he visited his sister, Emma, who was preparing for an art exhibition. Emma, an artist known for her intricate landscapes, was working on a new piece. She was struggling with the composition of a new painting. 'I can’t get the shape of the mountains right,' she said, frowning at her canvas. Mark looked over and smiled. 'Start with the outline, the basic shape. Then you can fill in the details later.' Emma nodded, grabbing her pencil and sketching out the rough outline of the mountains. She started with the broad contours, just like Mark had with his report. As the night wore on, the outline of the painting began to come to life. The next day, Mark reflected on how the outline had helped both him and Emma. Whether writing a report or creating a painting, the process of outlining had proven essential. It was the framework, the skeleton that made everything else fall into place.
