Creating an outline for the composition may be one of the most complicated tasks of the writing process. You have to make sure every idea comes through and is rendered in a clear, concise manner. For all those out there who think that an excellent outline may save you time, we have this brief explanation of how it works. It reduces the hours that are generally dedicated to the process of revision. All you have to do is rearrange the ideas in the right order and re-read the text to understand the format.
An outline also helps with the coherence of the sentences and content. For instance, writing about political issues or historical values requires notes and quotes to get through. You can’t rely on evidence alone when it comes to analyzing the primary data source. A well-formatted outline will show the readers that you know the arguments and can easily debate the position from a personal point. Even if you are using secondary sources as factual information, you have to be aware of the logical connections between the sentences. It is known that students do not think too much of planning as they get down to writing. We understand that chronological details may escape you at the moment. Surely, this is a tedious process that requires time and energy. However, it is essential to grasp the essence of the text for a perfect outline.
Arrange the notes and categorize the ideas according to their status. You can start with the easier parts only to generalize further in the text. Experts also insist on studying every argument that comes your way. To incorporate it into the content successfully, you have to define the group it belongs to. This is performed by asking a simple question such as “If I had to create a file, which name would I choose for the database?”
Rethink the categories as you go. If you are collecting material on the democratic outlook, try to stick to the point. In case there is an alternative outline present in the essay, do not be shy to list it under the files and develop the theme. We are all dependent on the subject that has been selected previously. Teachers advise the students to make the most of the draft as they get ready for the task. Reusing categorized files may help you form a clear structure and get rid of the listings that seem unnecessary.
Headings and Generalization: The Right Approach
There are several ways to deal with the outline if you are too confused to think straight. Some of them are listed below:
- Start with the title. Many of the headings that you thought were relevant may no longer be of need. Look out for any sign of repetitiveness and do not use the subheadings as fillers for the text. You can easily combine the names and places under the same title. There are categories you can no longer resonate with. These should be taken out at once so as not to clutter the content. Information pieces that actually move the storyline forward are rare to find, that’s why you should never neglect the next step.
- Look for a common theme. There is no doubt that you’ve spent a lot of time labeling the subjects in your area. It is also essential to determine whether they are falling in the same place just like you do with a puzzle. Although the fields you may be analyzing belong to the same discipline, there are a lot of details that can be emphasized in the process. We are stressing the importance of the approach simply to enhance the level of awareness among students. Outlines are being ignored for the sake of notes and quotes, but it is better to have it all planned in advance. Remember, though, that the larger categories should not contain more than five themes for your own convenience.
- Find the perfect sentence order. Once you are done with generalizing, it is time to arrange the phrases that have been in use. With the labeling process in mind, do not hesitate to support your claim. For example, if your thesis is focused on the voting procedure, try to separate the parts of the process. Start with the election campaign, move on to the voters’ rights, and discuss the responsibilities of a candidate at the end of the paragraph. It may seem like too much hassle for a single essay, but it helps reiterate the material for your fellow students. Teachers will also appreciate a logical attitude when constructing a complex text.
- Think of the idea that acts as a supportive argument. With your text probably looking like a set of phrases, disorganized in nature, it is hard to get the work done. However, you finish the outlining process by defining a sentence that basically renders the message. It may be a category that has been previously estimated as commonplace. Theories that seem out of place often tend to be convincing when arranged properly. A general argument needs to be detected for the essay to flourish. Acknowledge the role of arguments in the process of crafting the assignment, since this aspect is often ignored. By addressing generalizing, you are going over the material and activating your memory. The most powerful ideas are put at the beginning of the essay, while specific notes are reserved for the later.
