Before-drafting outline strategies for “plan-then-do” writers

Outlines should provide you with an organizational strategy, but they don’t have to be fancy! Informal outlines such as the graphic one below are often all you need, but they can take many forms. Try some of these options:

• From your notes in invention-work, identify ideas that should be grouped together, create and label categories, and then number the categories in a logical order for presentation

• Make a paragraph-by-paragraph list, with one sentence that sums up each paragraph

• List your major points in a document (in boldface or ALL CAPITAL LETTERS), leaving space to fill in specific points and notes after each section

• Put topic or topic sentences on separate index cards or their own pieces of paper in order to move around and reorder things easily and lay them all out—add notes on details, illustrations, and evidence on the backs of each piece

• Use the graphic organizer handout below and fill in the boxes