2.4 Outlining

Outlining is recommended as an early component of the writing process. It is a way to organize and connect thoughts so what you are going to write is clear before you start drafting it. An outline is a useful pre-writing tool when you know your topic or at least know the areas you want to explore.

When writing, there isn’t just one right way to begin. You may just dive right in – writing in complete sentences, or start by brainstorming your ideas to note down your thoughts without interruption. Try out different methods so that you can figure out what works best for you in the given situation.

There are several methods that help you generate ideas and see connections between ideas without writing in complete sentences. Brainstorming has some common rules:

• Write down all of your ideas; don’t eliminate anything.
• Don’t bother with editing.
• Work as quickly as you can.
• If you get stuck, stop and review your work.
• Each method can work as a solo technique or with others.

You may want to have more than one method in case you get stuck and need to break out of a writing block. One common strategy for getting started is what I know/don’t know about the topic brainstorming – list all things that you know and can recall about the topic; next, list what you don’t know and will have to research. Simply make a list of all the ideas related to your topic. Do not censor your ideas; write everything down, knowing you can cross some off later.

An outline helps you plan, organize, and guide your writing. It provides you with an overview of what you will write about and helps you in creating a logical flow of your writing.

Traditional Outline

A traditional outline uses a numbering and indentation scheme to help organize your thoughts. Generally, you begin with your main point, perhaps stated as a major topic, and place the subtopics, usually the main supports for your main point, and finally flesh out the details underneath each subtopic. Each subtopic is numbered and has the same level of indentation. Details under each subtopic are given a different style of number or letter and are indented further to the right. It’s expected that each subtopic will merit at least two details.

Here’s the structure:

^{Activity 2.2 | A Traditional Outline}

Activity 2.3 illustrates a traditional outline used below to plan the topic below.

^{Activity 2.3 | Example of Traditional Outline in Practice}

Rough Outline

A rough outline is less formal than a traditional outline. Working from a list, or brainstorming, organize the ideas in the order that makes sense to you. You might try colour-coding like items and then grouping the items with the same colour together. Another method is to print your prewriting, then cut it up into smaller pieces, and finally put the pieces into piles of related items. Tape the like items together, then put the pieces together into a whole list/outline.

Outlines are not only useful when writing a message but for all kinds of communication. Activity 2.4 below demonstrates a rough outline for a presentation.

^{Activity 2.4 | A Rough Outline}

Want to learn more?

Watch the YouTube video below, Outlines, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to help yourself get started.