Three Writing Tips for Building an Outline
Today’s guest post is by Alexis Bonari, a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at onlinedegrees.org, researching areas of accredited online degrees. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
One of my literature professors once told me that there’s no wrong way to create an outline so long as it accomplishes the intended purpose. By the time they are asked to complete a lengthy project like a thesis paper or novel, most writers have already developed their own unique approach to outlining their work. While it’s a good idea to stick to what works for you, taking a quick look at other outline approaches can be helpful. The following are some of the most common outlining strategies.
The Classic
This outline is bullet-pointed. Roman numerals and letters are used to break down each idea. Word processing programs generally have an outline function that makes the process even easier. You set the progression of bullet-point symbols. Here is an example:
I. Main Idea
A. Supporting information
II. Main idea
A. Supporting information
i. Details
People prefer this style of outline for its readability and the simple process for summarizing complex ideas.
The Scatter Method
My personal favorite since middle school, the scatter method, is essentially just what it sounds like. You make a rough outline of where you want to go with the project. Then, you write sections of the paper without transitions. Although it’s good to have a working thesis before starting, there’s nothing that says it must be written down and refined at the outset of the project. All the pieces and parts are then assembled into a rough whole. Some are edited or taken out entirely. Only then are transitions are added.
It should be noted that this method requires a great deal of time spent reading and re-reading your draft. While this works for me, it certainly isn’t for everyone.
The Visual/Kinesthetic Learner Option
Much less common than the first two styles is the visual/kinesthetic learner option. You write and then print out bullet-pointed elements of a classic outline, including phrases and points that you want to make. Then, take these cut-out pieces and arrange them in a grand outline on the floor or a spacious table. This allows you to see more of the outline than you would on a computer screen. You can look ahead further and rearrange by physically moving the pieces around. When you’re ready to go ahead with the project as outlined, simply pick up the individual pieces in order and flip through them as they write.
My father-in-law wrote several published books; he used this method for all three of them. As my professor said, there is no “right” way to create an outline. There’s only what works for you and your writing style.
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I tend to employ a version of the ‘scatter’ method which sees me dumping all of my thoughts, including fully and semi-formed paragraphs, titles, headings etc, onto a page and then moving them around until a structure forms that I feel is logical. Gaps tend to appear then as well that I can fill in with heading placeholders.
Increasingly though, especially for my business writing, I’m using post-it notes and wall space behind my desk, allowing me to chop and change my mind as often as I like.
I like both the scatter method and the classic outline. The scatter method works well for brainstorming. After a good brainstorming session, I like to organize the ideas into a more linear outline. I don’t do this for all of my writing, but it’s definitely helped be get through some large projects.
My personal preference has always been the classic.
Most people see me as using a scatter type method when I am moderating a SIG (Special Interest Group) for my computer club but, even then I have and underlying classic structure to how I work.
I think the classic method keeps me from wandering off topic.
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Computer user groups keep users informed, join one and become an active participant.
That’s definitely why the classic is so popular — it keeps the focus on the subject at hand.
I remember the preparations for the main scene of my first “novel”: hundreds of scrap papers accumulated along time, classified time after time on my bed until a structure emerged. I think you can include me on the “scattered” method!
Ha! Whatever works… Index cards would be great for your method. You can file them easily and since they’re all the same size, you can line them up in different ways. I keep a stack in my desk drawer
I think I begin with #2, slowly morph toward #1, and eventually cut and paste, rearranging scenes/ideas like in #3. I’ve used the #3 method with index cards, but I make sure to number them in case I drop them. Oops…
Sounds like you work the same way I do Sheri. I like using index cards (or sticky notes or scrap paper) but like you, I worry that I’ll drop or lose one. Heheh.
When I do use outlining I like classic and a mixture of scatter and visual. As I read these methods I felt validated for my sometimes unconventional approach. It would be great if our educational system communicated to children alternate methods.
In school, I learned the traditional outline and also brainstorming. If I remember correctly, that was back in grammar school. I agree that kids should be better equipped and taught how to think and how to organize their thoughts. I vote critical thinking mandatory in all accredited schools
When I was younger, I was never a fan of outlines. My teachers would have me use the classic method, which I didn’t care for because I plan the whole paper in my head and although an outline is definitely helpful to keep a writer on track, I liked the element of freedom. Sometimes they taught the class to use “a web” which sounds a lot like the scatter method. Usually before writing, even now, I’ll map out everything in my head. However, the older I get, the harder it is to do since I have a million other things I’m thinking about or trying to remember, so I’ll have to keep track of those thoughts somewhere. I had a few teachers wanting to see my outline included with the paper, so after the paper was written, I would go back and write an outline for it. These days it looks like I fall under the scatter category. I still like using webs too for more complicated projects.
I haven’t had to do classic outlines for a while until I was tutoring my best friend who didn’t have much experience writing essays and reports. So I had to teach her what I will admit is a necessary evil.
Heh, I have always loved outlines, but that’s just because I love planning in general. If you can keep thoughts organized in your head, an outline probably isn’t necessary although you never know what might happen when you put your thoughts and ideas down on paper and start seeing them from different angles and perspectives. You always have a million things going on. I wonder if you’ve ever thought about streamlining them. I had to do that myself, several years back. I just had too many hobbies, interests, and goals. So I stopped everything and focused on my job at the time and creative writing (fiction/poetry). Since then, I’ve added more of my interests back into my daily life (music/guitar, for example) but at the time, the renovation of my life was sorely needed. Basically, I realized that I couldn’t possibly finish ten or twenty different large-scale projects. So I downsized.
My personal life has recently been shaken up, so it’s the perfect time to try a new approach and change things up a bit. But I will take your advice to heart, since it worked for you, I’m sure I can apply it to myself. As for the outlines? I actually wrote out a scattered method for one of my upcoming blog projects. But it did help, so now it should be easier to write because I have a clearer picture of how I’m going to write it.
That’s exactly why I like outlines and lots of notes – clarification. Good luck T.
My own experience with outlining is described in this post: http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/doing-your-best/
I can’t really write a paper of any length without having done an outline.
I also want to point out http://thinklinkr.com, a Web-based (free) outliner that is really quite good.
Thanks Leisureguy.
Of course, this may appear unprofessional but for me, I write whatever comes to my mind and then try to make a semblance of some sense. Anyway, for my small blog articles this works fine.
I think that’s a great method