Draft an outline for the following paragraphs: Draft an outline for the following paragraphs:

1. Being a celebrity is often difficult. First of all, 1. Being a celebrity is often difficult. First of all,
celebrities have to look almost perfect all the celebrities have to look almost perfect all the
time. There’s always a photographer ready to time. There’s always a photographer ready to
take an unflattering picture of a famous person take an unflattering picture of a famous person
looking dumpy in old clothes. Celebrities also looking dumpy in old clothes. Celebrities also
sacrifice their private lives. Their personal sacrifice their private lives. Their personal
struggles, divorces, or family tragedies all end struggles, divorces, or family tragedies all end
up as front-page news. Last, and most up as front-page news. Last, and most
frightening of all, celebrities are in constant frightening of all, celebrities are in constant
danger of the wrong kind of attention. danger of the wrong kind of attention.
Threatening letters and even physical attacks Threatening letters and even physical attacks
from crazy fans are things a celebrity must from crazy fans are things a celebrity must
contend with. contend with.
2. Several factors can interfere with having a 2. Several factors can interfere with having a
good memory. For one thing, there can be a good memory. For one thing, there can be a
lack of motivation. Without a real desire to lack of motivation. Without a real desire to
learn or remember something, you probably learn or remember something, you probably
won’t. Also a factor is a lack of practice. To won’t. Also a factor is a lack of practice. To
stay sharp, memory skills, like any other skill, stay sharp, memory skills, like any other skill,
must be used on a regular basis. Yet another must be used on a regular basis. Yet another
factor that can hurt memory is self-doubt. If factor that can hurt memory is self-doubt. If
you’re convinced you won’t remember you’re convinced you won’t remember
something, you probably won’t. In addition, something, you probably won’t. In addition,
distraction can interfere with memory. If distraction can interfere with memory. If
you’re distracted by a television or by you’re distracted by a television or by
conversation nearby, try to find a quiet conversation nearby, try to find a quiet
environment before trying to commit environment before trying to commit
something to memory. something to memory.
3. You don’t have to scare your family with 3. You don’t have to scare your family with
statistics about heart attacks. There are several statistics about heart attacks. There are several
positive ways to encourage your family to positive ways to encourage your family to
exercise more often. To begin with, get them exercise more often. To begin with, get them
to exercise more often by emphasizing how to exercise more often by emphasizing how
good they’ll feel and how much better they’ll good they’ll feel and how much better they’ll
look if they work out on a regular basis. A look if they work out on a regular basis. A
second method you can use is to set an second method you can use is to set an
example. If they see you walking to stores example. If they see you walking to stores
rather than driving, they might be encouraged rather than driving, they might be encouraged
to do likewise. Finally, make exercise a family to do likewise. Finally, make exercise a family
activity. Suggest that the whole family go activity. Suggest that the whole family go
hiking or camping together, take up early hiking or camping together, take up early
morning jogging, or join the Y at the group morning jogging, or join the Y at the group
rate. rate.
Look at the following outline of a paragraph. The point Look at the following outline of a paragraph. The point
is followed by six facts, only three of which are on target is followed by six facts, only three of which are on target
in supporting the point. The other facts are irrelevant to in supporting the point. The other facts are irrelevant to
the point. Write the letters of the three relevant the point. Write the letters of the three relevant
statements of support. statements of support.

4. Point: My dog Otis is not very bright. 1. Point: My dog Otis is not very bright.
A. He’s five years old and doesn’t respond to A. He’s five years old and doesn’t respond to
his name yet. his name yet.
B. He cries when I leave for work every day. B. He cries when I leave for work every day.
C. He always gets excited when visitors C. He always gets excited when visitors
arrive. arrive.
D. He often attacks the backyard hedge as if D. He often attacks the backyard hedge as if
it’s a hostile animal. it’s a hostile animal.
E. He gets along very well with my E. He gets along very well with my
neighbor’s cat. neighbor’s cat.
F. I often have to put food in front of him F. I often have to put food in front of him
because he can’t find it by himself. because he can’t find it by himself.
5. Point: Elephants are very intelligent animals. 2. Point: Elephants are very intelligent animals.
A. For years, hunters shot elephants to obtain A. For years, hunters shot elephants to obtain
the ivory from their tusks. the ivory from their tusks.
B. Like chimps, elephants can recognize their B. Like chimps, elephants can recognize their
reflections in mirrors. reflections in mirrors.
C. Elephants tear off branches of trees to use C. Elephants tear off branches of trees to use
as fly swatters. as fly swatters.
D. Elephants have been seen keeping vigil D. Elephants have been seen keeping vigil
over their dead companions. over their dead companions.
E. An elephant can live as long as sixty-five E. An elephant can live as long as sixty-five
years. years.
F. Elephants should not be forced to perform F. Elephants should not be forced to perform
in circuses. in circuses.

6. Point: If you think school is difficult, it’s even 3. Point: If you think school is difficult, it’s even
harder for older students. harder for older students.
A. Studies show that more and more adults A. Studies show that more and more adults
are returning to school. are returning to school.
B. It takes a lot of work to re-learn study B. It takes a lot of work to re-learn study
habits. habits.
C. Many older students have family and job C. Many older students have family and job
responsibilities in addition to classes. responsibilities in addition to classes.
D. Some older students are afraid of not D. Some older students are afraid of not
“fitting in.” “fitting in.”
E. It is never too late to gain new knowledge. E. It is never too late to gain new knowledge.
F. Older students can contribute to class F. Older students can contribute to class
discussions by talking about their “real- discussions by talking about their “real-
world” experiences. world” experiences.