Many academic writing tips focus on topics like formatting and referencing, but the following advice may prove to be the most useful of all. Keeping track of many details can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re struggling to get through writing your paper, it could be a sign that your outline is not sufficient enough. Here are three important reasons why you should spend more time on creating your outline.
1. It makes keeping track of references easier
There are many methods students use to keep track of references when writing their academic papers. Putting the direct quotes and summaries of information into your outline is a highly efficient approach. Some students have been taught to create their outlines in this manner, but neglect to do so when they are not being graded on it. And that is a mistake which could cost them a lot of time.
2. It helps you defeat writer’s block
A great outline can help you beat writer’s block by serving as a guide on what to write next. In fact, it should be so detailed that all you have left to do is expand the points into sentences. This way, you never get stuck in the middle of the writing process because you’ll have a clear map.
3. It helps you get a better grade
Some students write what they think are the most brilliant of papers only to discover that they received low marks on it. Your paper should answer the questions presented in the instructions. It is, however, easy to forget a requirement or two. The best way to be sure that all the assignment requirements are met is to satisfy them in the outline and then use that to create your draft.
Better grades, less time struggling to figure out what to write next, and ease of organizing references all make creating an in-depth outline one of the best academic writing tips.
