In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, students are often asked to write outlines or summaries of their lessons. The purpose of this exercise is not to create a piece of writing for its own sake, but to demonstrate that the student has carefully read and understood the entire lesson. When a student writes an outline or summary correctly, it provides clear proof of attention, comprehension, and diligence in study.

Before you begin writing, read the entire lesson carefully from start to finish. Do not write as you read. Your goal in this first reading is to understand the structure and purpose of the lesson. Make sure you know what the main topic is, what the subtopics are, and what conclusions the author wishes you to draw. If you stop to write too early, your outline or summary will be incomplete or disorganized.

After reading the full lesson, go back through it section by section and identify the main points. You are not looking for details or examples, but for the major ideas that give the lesson its structure. These are often marked by headings, transitions, or repeated phrases. Each main point should be written in your own words, in a short and clear sentence.

If you are writing an outline, arrange the main points in their proper order and number them. Subpoints should be indented beneath the main points to show how they relate. The outline should follow the lesson exactly, from beginning to end. It is not necessary to include every small detail, but the outline should be complete enough that a reader could understand what the lesson teaches simply by reading your outline.

Example Outline:

I. The definition of virtue

    A. Virtue is a habit of doing good

    B. It is formed by repeated good actions

II. The difference between moral and intellectual virtue

    A. Moral virtue concerns the will

    B. Intellectual virtue concerns the intellect

III. The importance of virtue in Christian life

    A. Virtue leads the soul toward God

    B. Sin destroys the habit of virtue

If you are writing a summary, your goal is to restate the content of the entire lesson in clear, complete sentences. Do not copy from the lesson or quote long passages. Instead, explain everything in your own words, as if you were teaching the lesson to someone who has never read it. Be sure to include all of the major ideas, and keep your writing concise, clear, and complete.

Example Summary:

This lesson explains the nature of virtue. Virtue is a stable habit of doing good that is formed by the repetition of good actions. There are two kinds of virtue: moral and intellectual. Moral virtue perfects the will, while intellectual virtue perfects the intellect. Both are necessary for Christian life because they lead the soul toward God, while sin weakens or destroys them.

When you finish, compare your outline or summary with the lesson itself. Make sure you have included all of the main points and that they are in the correct order. Your writing should be clear, organized, and complete. A well-written outline or summary allows your teacher to see that you have read and understood the entire lesson carefully.

Writing outlines and summaries is one of the most valuable exercises for mastering the classical liberal arts. It trains the student to read actively, to think clearly, and to express ideas in an orderly way. Most importantly, it proves that the student has completed the lesson with attention and understanding — which is the goal of every true scholar.