So now we have chosen and narrowed down our topic. Another question arises what to do now? It's time to create an outline. Many young writer avoid outline because they think everything is clear in their minds. Believe me, this is not so. There is a great deal of difference between having a thought in your mind and having it jotted down on a piece of paper. Creating outline is as essential as memorising a speech in a debate competition.
I know that the writing process is stressful especially when you have to submit it in the shape of an assignment to your teacher or instructor. You are required to write up to the expectations of university teacher. There are many dilemmas which are often faced by students in this regard. First dilemma is finding answer to the question: where to start? Don't worry, we will discuss it in the section of writing.
I have repeatedly noticed many students of mine avoid preparing outline because it seems very difficult for them. And believe me it is not that difficult but requires some practice. As I always state, writing is less about writing and more about thinking. At the stage of prewriting you need to think more about your topic and do different exercises and experiences with writing.
An outline is simply a framework where an author organises his main and supporting ideas in a presentable way. It greatly helps in putting ideas in their proper place avoiding any type of confusion and repetition. It is also greatly helpful for writers to guide their readers and helps in clearly translating your thoughts into words. Without outline, there is a greater probability that you will confuse your ideas with each other which will finally result in utter desperation and frustration.
So here I am presenting few tips for developing an outline:
1. Choose Your Topic wisely. During your undergraduate studies, a greater number of people will keep telling and advising you about what you should choose. Likewise, while writing on anything, many of your friends and class fellow will advise you the topics to be written upon. Don't listen to any one's advice in this regard. For you are the master of your own destiny. Always choose the topic where your own greater interest lies instead of acting upon someone's advice.
For instance, I intend to write on "Pakistani Media". This is a good subject indeed. After doing some brain storming on my topic, I narrowed down it as "The Fall of Pakistani TV Dramas".
2. Establish Your Purpose. This refers to "Thesis Statement" or the purpose of your writing. Why do you want to write? WEhat point do you want to prove?. This is one of the most important aspect where you are supposed to ask yourself a few question such as :Why are you going to write on this specific topic? What are you going to include in your writing piece which has not been focused so far? What will be the focus of your writing piece? What do you intend to present for your readers? What do you want to convey about your topic?. These are tricky questions and definitely demand some time.
A considerable number of new writers often struggle hard in defining focus of their writing. It is very difficult task to come up with a focused topic from a list of possibilities. However, equally important and even larger is to understand the purpose or focus of your writing.
So, in order to find answer to this question, one should ask himself "What is your topic or thesis statement?" In other words what do you want to focus in your writing. For example, after watching few Pakistani TV serials I developed a thesis statement that "Contemporary Pakistani dramas have lost their charm due to marketing" or "Market-driven production has caused a fall in standard of Pakistani TV serials". So, I have to prepare an outline whose sub-points or sub-arguments directly support my thesis statement (main argument).
If you do not have a goal or objective in the mind at the stage of prewriting, you will keep wandering in a strange city without a map. Having a goal or objective in mind will be greatly helpful in determining your course of writing, selecting appropriate content of your essay and setting guidelines and limitations.
It is not over yet. Stay connected to finish outline on abovementioned topic.
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