Creating an outline is one of those processes That changes the entire way your paper flows. Well, you might know what an outline for your paper is; you might not ever have heard of reverse outlining. This article will tell you about reverse outlining and how you can use it to help you amp up your paper game. Plus, we’ll share some expert tips from experienced writers that will help you write papers better than ever before.
What Is Reverse Outlining
Before we get into the tips and tricks about creating a reverse outline, let’s start by defining what a reverse outline is. A reverse outline is an outline that you do in reverse order, as its name may imply. Instead of starting at the beginning and outlining your ideas, you are essentially reviewing your paper by creating an outline after it’s already written. Though it might sound a little confusing, you’re sure to see that the technique makes sense after reading our guide.
Creating a Reverse Outline
So, how do you create a reverse outline? First of all, you should have a completed paper in hand. In addition, you should have your original outline so that you can refer to it. Then, all you have to do is follow these four easy steps from expert writers at WriteEssayForMe.
- Start with your title and your thesis sentence on a blank sheet of paper.
- Draw a straight line down the middle of the paper.
- Read your draft aloud, pausing after each paragraph. After reading each paragraph, on the left side of the paper, write your intended main idea. On the right side, explain why the idea introduced in the paragraph ties back to your main idea introduced in the introduction.
- After that, all you have to do is repeat the process throughout your entire paper, pausing before you get to the conclusion.
If everything seems to tie in together and is supported by reliable resources, then you should just make sure that your conclusion wraps it up and leaves the reader with plenty of detail to think about once they’re finished.
Working with Your Outline
The idea of a reverse outline is to help make sure that everything flows together. When writing a paper, an essay, or a dissertation, it’s essential to make sure that all pieces tie in together. Once you have all of the pieces filled out, you can go back and make sure that your entire paper fits together like the pieces of a puzzle.
Paragraphs and Ideas
So, two of the most important parts of reverse outlining are paragraphs in the ideas that they present. As you go through and look at your answers, here are a few things that you should consider.
Same Idea, Different Paragraph
If you have many paragraphs with the same idea, you may want to see how you can combine them to avoid confusing the reader. Also, they can come off as if you’re repeating yourself by having too many paragraphs with the same idea. If you do, you may need to search for a different defense to back up your thesis instead.
Different Ideas, Different Paragraphs
If you find that you have many different paragraphs but seem to have multiple main ideas, you may need to change the structure. In this case, you may not be making a sufficiently clear argument or idea, so you wind up creating something out of context unreadable for your readers.
Paragraphs without a Purpose
For any paragraphs that don’t comply with the standard size, you may need to consider changing them or deleting them entirely. That’s because if you’re adding information at random, it may take away from the effects of the other ideas in your big room. Instead, find another idea to focus on that ties back into your central main idea. Keeping those on the same page instead.
Paragraphs and Your Thesis: How Do They Connect
When creating a reverse outline, the key idea is to make sure that each one can tie back into your thesis. As long as you’re adding clear ideas and supporting them with solid evidence, you could have a very persuasive paper that helps the reader see from your perspective.
When you have paragraphs that don’t connect back into the main idea, you send the reader on a scavenger hunt to try and look for cruising connections that they may not be able to find. As you right, your goal should be to give the readers all that they need to come to their own conclusions based on your indent.
It’s All About Being Crystal Clear
The main goal of a paper is to point out your ideas and be crystal clear about all arguments you’re trying to present. With a reverse outline, you’re able to see and visualize how your paper looks as a whole, making sure that it not only makes sense but also captures the reader’s attention.
When you share your ideas with readers through writing, experts say the goal should be to leave them thinking deeper or differently on your chosen topics. With the reverse outline, you can do that, making sure that everything is connected and clear, with significant accents and signposts making your argumentation logical. This technique contributes to text readability immensely, helping you as a writer take a bird’s view at what you have composed.
