I often tell my students to outline their paper. But what do I mean?
I use a couple of metaphors to explain how an outline works. The first is a road map. A map helps you know where you’re going, what major landmarks you’ll stop at, and your final destination. Similarly, an outline gives a step-by-step map of your ideas from beginning to end. It helps you think about what comes first, second, third, etc.
The other metaphor that I use is the idea of a skeleton. Without bones, a body has no rigid structure to hold it up; it’s just a heap of blood, muscle, and tendons (and a few more things, too!). A skeleton helps hold everything together, so it can stand up.
Both of these metaphors have their limitations, however.
A map sounds like your destination will always be the same, and when you’re writing an essay, this might not be true! Your destination, and therefore your map, might change. A skeleton makes it seems like there will be some symmetry to your outline; two legs, two arms, a skull, etc. But outlines often don’t always seem so balanced or complete. Oftentimes an outline is three legs and one arm, and only later does a writer find the right kind of balanced structure in their work.
All of this is to say that an outline guides but does not direct your writing. It helps you map out process or lay down the bones of your writing. When you actually begin to write, use it if it helps. If it doesn’t rearrange it or toss it out altogether.
Here are a few examples:
[Note: I need to add some examples here]
