Do you map out an outline before beginning with the writing process? We have extolled on the virtues of this activity many times in the past. If you’ve been unconvinced, we’ve compiled here a list of what we believe to be the most relevant benefits of outlining for writers of all shapes and sizes, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro.
Structure. Outlines bring an immediate structure to your ideas, well before you start committing them with long, flowing prose. You see immediate flaws in organization, allowing you to arrange your presentation in a way that will make the subject clear to your reader.
Development. Outlines let you see any gaps in the development of your ideas. If your piece needs more research to support your main thesis, you will likely notice this when putting the outline together. Sure beats having written 2,000 words before realizing that.
Plausibility. An outline lets you see if your topic truly makes sense, both in terms of arguments and the specifications of the piece. Can you really fit it in the required word count? Is your reasoning sound? Will you need to elaborate more to complete the picture? Why wait for the drafting or editing stages to discover these things when an outline will clarify that early in the process.
We’ve always promoted the use of writing tools, but rarely speak of outlining software. There are a good lot of them, from mind-mapping applications to dedicated instruments especially for writers. Do pay some time researching them as outlining can prove to be a crucial process to your overall composition.
