Tools - Outlines

One great tool I use to organize writing is the outline. Blogging a paragraph or two won't require one, but essays are easier to write with an outline. If you're trying to make a point and back up your arguments, a well-organized document is much easier to write if it's organized from an outline. Not only is it easier to write, but it's easier to read, understand, and accept. If you find that you're having difficulty organizing your thoughts on paper or if you realize you're rambling, consider an outline.

When I was in school, I always hated writing an outline. I didn't "get it" as a tool for expression. I thought it was purely a way for the teachers to get proof that you did some research. More recently I have found it hard to write certain types of documents, and outlines made the work so much easier.