Sample Outline of the text 文章的大纲.doc

Outline Title: But What’s a Dictionary For? Main idea: The W3 is good in that it’s a comprehensive and accurate description of current usage. Outline: The causes of the problem under discussion is introduced, putting forward the topic for discussion.(Para. 1-3) summarize the worst attacks and criticisms in the popular press that greeted the appearance of the Webster’s Third New International Dictionary. (Para. 1) State the claim of the dictionary maker---the G. ＆.C. Merriam company.(Para. 2) Present a series of questions concerning the uses of a dictionary. (Para. 3) The author interposes two statements on dictionary making: to eliminate unrelated information and focus on wards, to be comprehensive and description of current usage of wards.(Para. 4-12) A dictionary is concerned with words.(Para. 4) There’s been dramatic progress in the making of dictionaries.(Para.5-11) 1. A new science related to the making of dictionaries, the science of descriptive linguistics, has come into being.(Para. 5) 2. The representative of modern linguistics Leonard Bloomfield is introduced.(Para. 6) 3. The four broad general findings of the new science are listed. (Four aspects)(Para. 7-11) 4. The criteria of a good dictionary is set.(Para. 12) III. The author argues that Webster’s Third International is a good reflection of the great changes taken place in the English language in the past 30 years, which serves as a good evidence against unfavorable critics by newspapers and magazines. (Para. 13-17) Analyze the reasons why new dictionaries are needed. (Para. 13-14) English has changed more in the past two generations than at any other time in its history.(Para. 13) English has changed under the influence of mass education and the growth of democracy.(Para. 14) Summarize good evidences against unfavorable critics by newspapers and magazines.(Para. 15-17) All of these publications are written in the language the Third International describes. (Para. 15) Much of the