Importance of outlining

Preparing an outline before writing a paper helps you a lot because with the outline you have a plan of organization. Developing an outline can help you to see the logical progression of your argument.

Types of outlines

Types of outlines most used are the topic outline and the sentence outline. A topic outline does not have any complete sentences; each heading is a phrase or a noun, which may have appropriate modifiers. The wording of the headings on each level should be as nearly parallel as possible. A sentence outline is clearer and more informative than a topic outline, for all the headings are complete statements. By writing sentences, one is forced to clarify his ideas. The following brief sentence outline illustrates the principles just discussed.

Example

Central idea: I have increased my knowledge and appreciation of music by listening to the broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera.

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I.        The broadcast gives a complete picture of the opera.

          A.     An entire opera is broadcast every Saturday.

          B.     Explanatory discussions are presented between the acts.

                   1.      They explain the plot.

                   2.      They tell about the composer and his career.

                   3.      They give information about the performers.

II.     By listening to the broadcasts, I have developed my appreciation of music.

         A.     I now read books and articles about music and musicians.

         B.     I am making a collection of operatic records.

         C.     I have learner to distinguish between good and less good music.

         D.     I can understand and take part in discussions of operatic music.

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In addition to sentence outlines and topic outlines, outlines can be categorized as following:

1.      an outline the writer makes before writing the text;

2.      an outline the writer makes of what he has already written.

Both are useful. An outline that is developed before writing should be brief and should be made only after extensive discussion, reading, list-making, brainstorming, and other prewriting activities. It should be a device to guide the writer and not something to lock his into a cage that he couldn¡¦t escape from if he wanted to!

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