Lesson
Three: Structure and Outline
Introduction
The
easiest way to sabotage all the work you have done so far
is to skip this lesson. Writing is as much a discipline
as it is an art, and to ensure that your essays flow well
and make sense, you need to construct solid outlines before
you write. Unless you conscientiously impose structure around
your ideas, your essay will be rambling and ineffective.
An outline should make sense on its own; the ideas should
follow logically in the order that you list them. As you
add content around these main points, these words should
support and reinforce the logic of the outline. Finally,
the outline should conclude with an insightful thought or
image. Make sure that the rest of your outline reinforces
this conclusion.
The
body paragraphs should consist of events, experiences, and
activities you have already organized in chronological order
or in order of importance. In many of the essays that our
editors read, the order of paragraphs seems to have been
chosen at random. Make clear why one point follows another:
each point in your outline should connect with the next;
each main category should be linked to your introduction
or thesis; and each sub-category should be linked to the
main category. As you make your outline you should be able
to see where there are holes in your essay.
Continue
on to descriptions and examples of various essay structures,
a sample outline and essay, short essay strategies and samples,
and essay writing templates to help cure the worst
cases of writer's block.
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