Reverse Outline

This little video does a nice job of explaining what a reverse outline is.  We have done various versions of this with our own drafts.

This is an example of a reverse outline for the Vigansky article in the Green Book:

Paragraph	Says	Does
1	Main character playing softball	Introduces softball; catches attention
2	Main character playing volleyball; injury occurs	This is where the conflict begins.
3	Main character goes to doctor; surgery required	This heightens the conflict: injury won’t just heal on its own.
4	Main character reveals her injury to team; they react badly	This heightens the conflict: will main character lose friends, support?
5	Main character is feeling low about her condition; hits the garage and cries. Her father comforts her.	This shows how the injury has affected the main character’s well being. It also shows a potential turning point.
6	Cheers for team; attends physical therapy.	Main character seems to be improving both mentally and physically.
7	Another surgery.	?? Context.
8	Starts improving; starts practicing.	Main character seems to have a different outlook after second surgery. We see renewed effort and optimism.
9	Plays in first game after surgeries. Reinjured.	Contrasts with first paragraph, and also raises more “bait.” What’s going to happen now?
10	Finds out she can still play with an injury if she can tolerate the pain. Plays through.	Shows main character’s personal drive and strength of will.
11	Plays in every game through the end of the season; helps team win championship; gets another diagnosis.	Main character reflects and tells us what this experience meant to her: “Bittersweet.” Proud, but sad.
12	Author learned a lot and wants to work in orthopedics as a result of her experience.	Main character reflects. “This is how this experience shaped me.”