What if I don’t like outlines?
I find outlines to be a complete waste of time and energy (there, I said it)! I mean, I get it. Outlines definitely shape ideas, and provide structure. A person can definitely realize exactly what he or she wants to say in an essay by developing an outline first. But what happened to the “just write” tactic, described in the opening chapter of the book? From what I recall, “[t]he writer’s ignorance is essential… [and] unknowing is the beginning of all effective writing” (Murray, 3). Pardon the negativity, but if what Murray says within the opening chapter of his book is true, then an outline, to me, seems rather contradictory.
I believe that Murray’s point about finding a decent test reader, which he makes in chapter 22, in addition to proper proofreading is sufficient enough for organizing a well written paper. I’d even go as far as to say that no matter how basic a writer attempts to make an outline, the outline still is rather limiting to one’s ability to express true opinions on a given topic. In my experience as a writer, I have come to realize that the most demanding part in shaping a logically sequenced essay arises at the task of developing good topic sentences. Thus, rather than spending hours, trying to figure out what I am going to write in outline form, I simply try to organize the manner in which I will attempt to ensure that what I write makes sense; however, the actual construction of the essay is a very limitless experience.
Conclusively, I believe that by having another person read your essay that is as or more gifted in writing than you are will take care of any lack of organization. In my experience with writing, to simply take an idea and run with it is the only way to truly feel as if you gave an essay everything you’ve got.
~Tristan
Outline for me are more or less a waste of time when the idea of what I want to say isn't fully formed in my head. I find there is not point in forming one if I dont have this organized. And this is what my test readers normally comment on, "Good points but needs better organization". So for myself I definately need more outlines but only after doing all of the thinking.
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