How to Write an Outline

Before you write a paper, always spend 15 to 30 minutes creating an outline first. The outline will help keep your paper organized and focused and cut down on the number of rough drafts you generate. Use the following steps to construct your outline:

1. Brainstorming: Once you have decided on a subject, brainstorm your ideas by writing down any facts, thoughts, insights you have in the brainstorming section of your outline,Of course, the above is only a sample. Actual brainstorming would include many more entries, even quotations from the two poems, or words or rhythm features the poems have in common. In order to get started brainstorming, ask yourself questions. How does the topic affect you or others? Is it related to something you have learned in class or life? The answers to your questions will often result in brainstorming ideas, whether you are writing about literature or your own life.

One of the tricks to effective brainstorming is to really logically think about the topic, considering as much as possible about it. If you're having trouble generating ideas, ask someone else to discuss the topic with you and ask you questions. Or check out A Brief Guide to Writing Descriptive Essays for a simple example of how to brainstorm.

2. Next, begin work on organizing your introductory paragraph by answering the following questions: "Who," "What," "When," "Where," "Why," and "How,". You may find that some of the questions don't always apply.Organize your introductory paragraph by listing points to be made in each sentence. Always begin with the most general, gradually getting more and more specific, until you make your very specific thesis statement. NOTE: The actual thesis statement should be written on the outline.Organize the body of your paper. Using your thesis statement, list categories for the paragraphs in the body of your paper. In the example above, categories for each of the poems would include: TONE, SETTING, IMAGERY, STRUCTURE....