When In Doubt Outline!

Outlining is probably one of my favorite steps within the writing process because you typically have the brainstorming done. And all of the great ideas are still floating around in your head and all you have to do is write them down and form some kind of list. You see, I am very much a list person, I love making lists and then being able to cross the tasks off my list. You see, writing the outline of my paper/essay is like a "list". It tells me the tasks I need to get done. Whenever I have multiple ideas for a paper, I make short outlines for all of them and then decide which has the most potential. Personally, I write outlines similar to outline 3 in our text on page 84. I find it the best way for me to get my thoughts organized.

As I have said, I always write an outline before I begin my essays, or papers. However, after reading Murray's book and seeing his point of view on outlining. I now realize that while writing a writer can write or rewrite an outline in the middle of their work. As he says, "Sometimes it is also helpful to make outlines in the middle of the writing to see where you've gone and where you might go, and at the end of the draft to see what you have discovered through the writing and how you have organized your material." (pg 81, 2005) That is such a smart idea, because sometimes I get extremely caught up in whatever it is that I'm saying and completely loose track of where I should be going. Thinking back on my papers I have done in the past this exercise would have saved my writing! It's a good thing I know about it now! Hopefully, I can use this tool and save my writing from now on!!