Outlining is an important skill to learn that can enhance a writer’s experience during their writing process.
What is an Outline?
An outline is a guide that helps to organize thoughts for a larger piece of writing. Its structure usually consists of headings, subheadings, and short descriptions that display the main qualities of the writing. Outlines can make it easier for a writer to clearly express their ideas and share them with others so they can follow along.
An example of an outline:
- Introduction
- Thesis
- Body paragraph I
- Claim
- Evidence
- Analysis
- Body paragraph II
- Claim
- Evidence
- Analysis
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Relate back to thesis
Why Use an Outline?
Outlines can be very helpful, especially in writing pieces that have a lot of parts to weave together. For instance, research papers have claims and much evidence that is needed to support the thesis. An outline can alleviate the initial organizational process of writing a research paper because a writer can use an outline to arrange evidence according to claims.
Organization
The organization of ideas can be imperative for the writing process. Outlines can be great for the organization of ideas, as well as other things like claims and evidence. Due to the format of an outline, it is easy to allocate ideas to “locations” in a piece of writing and come back and edit them throughout the process.
Efficiency
Due to the organized nature of an outline, it is simpler to identify how a writer’s ideas are leading in one another. It can also ease the initiation of the writing process. Once a writer writes lists some ideas down, the ideas can be branched out into sub-topics and become more detailed as the process continues.
Flow
Outlines are also great for avoiding redundancy and strengthening the flow of ideas. Headings and subheadings can be good for establishing a hierarchy of ideas, keeping track of arguments, and staying on-topic.
Wrap-up
In essence, an outline can be an important tool for a writer’s toolkit. Whether or not a writer chooses to use one, it can be helpful to know about for instances where they would like to a streamlined organizational process that allows room for idea structure and editing efficiency.