how-to-write-an-outline-_with-pictures_---wikihow-26118 [wiki.modywzm.pl]

Decide if you will write your outline by hand or type it. If you're preparing your outline just for your own use, choose what works best for you. If you're preparing your outline for an assignment, follow your instructor's directions. Some people process their ideas better when they write them down. Additionally, you can easily draw diagrams or examples, which might help you conceptualize the subject. However, it might take longer to write out your outline, and it won't be as neat. Typing your outline might be easier if your notes are already typed on the computer, as you can just copy and paste them into your outline. Copying and pasting also allows you to easily rearrange your sections, if necessary. Also, it will be easier to copy and paste information from your outline into your paper if you type your outline. On the other hand, it's harder to jot down notes in the margins or draw out organizational diagrams. Narrow down your topic. Outlines help you organize your thoughts, ideas, or research regarding a topic. Without a main topic, your outline has no purpose. Your topic may be based on an assignment or could stem from a personal goal. If you’re working on a creative project, such as a novel, identify your concept, genre, or premise. Then, allow the outlining process to help you structure your work. It’s okay if your topic is somewhat broad when you first start, but you should have a direction. For example, your history paper topic could be French life during the German occupation of France in World War II. As you write your outline, you might narrow this down to the resistance fighters called maquisards. Identify the purpose of your outline, such as inform, entertain or reflect. Think about what you hope to accomplish with your outline. Will you complete an essay assignment? This allows you to determine what that essay, book, or speech will do for the reader. Typically, the purpose could be to inform the reader, entertain the reader or share the writer’s reflections with the reader. Know your intended audience. In some cases, you’ll be writing an outline as a class or work assignment. However, many times you are preparing them for yourself, either to help you complete an assignment or to help you accomplish a goal. If the outline is for school or work, you need to follow the formatting instructions and present your ideas in a way that’s understandable to others. For a school assignment, review the assignment sheet or talk to your instructor. If the outline is for work, use an existing outline as a model for yours. If you are the only person who will see the outline, you can choose formatting that works for you. For example, you might write your outline in shorthand. Assemble your notes, research or supporting materials, if applicable. In many cases, you’ll be incorporating information you gathered through research, note taking, or personal experience. It’s important to review this information before you start your outline because you’ll be pulling your points and subpoints from it. Brainstorm to identify your argument or main ideas. Jot down your ideas, important bits of research, and any questions you might want answered. For a creative project, you might write down scene ideas or plot points. Write down everything you might include in your outline. You can always eliminate ideas later! Freewrite as ideas come to you. Create a mind map. Write your thoughts on index cards. Develop a thesis or controlling idea for your outline. In most cases, this will be the thesis you use to complete the final product, such as an essay. However, it’s okay to use a general controlling idea or premise when outlining for a novel or study guide. Your thesis will help guide your outline as you create sections and subsections organizing your information. For example, you may be writing a paper about policy change. Your thesis might read, “Policy makers should take an incremental approach when making policy changes to reduce conflict, allow adjustments, and foster compromise.” Each of the 3 reasons listed in your thesis will become its own main point in your outline. Write an alphanumeric outline for the easy approach. Although you might not recognize the name, most outlines follow the alphanumeric format. Each level of your outline will be organized using a letter or number. Make a decimal outline to highlight the relationship between ideas. A decimal outline looks very similar to an alphanumeric outline. However, a decimal outline only uses numbers, and each sublevel is set off with decimals. This allows you to illustrate that each sublevel is a part of a larger argument. Decide if you want to write full sentences or short phrases. Most outlines include short phrases, which are also called topic outlines. However, using full sentences can help you better understand your ideas. Content has been generated by Essay Writers .