So far we’ve presented “organizing” and “drafting” as two separate steps on the writing process continuum. While there are distinct differences between the two stages, the line between these steps is the muddiest of the entire writing process. Ideally, as you’re working on an essay project, you won’t be able to draw a clear line between when you stop working on organizing and start working on your first essay draft.
Remember from the previous section that there are several different kinds of outlines:
- Roman or Arabic Numeral (highly structured)
- bullet point (loosely structured)
- mind map
- timeline
- PowerPoint
Roman Numeral Outline
Thesis statement: E-mail and internet monitoring, as currently practiced, is an invasion of employees’ rights in the workplace.
- The situation: Over 80% of today’s companies monitor their employees.
- To prevent fraudulent activities, theft, and other workplace related violations.
- To more efficiently monitor employee productivity.
- To prevent any legal liabilities due to harassing or offensive communications.
- What are employees’ privacy rights when it comes to electronic monitoring and surveillance in the workplace?
- American employees have basically no legal protection from mean and snooping bosses.
- There are no federal or State laws protecting employees.
- Employees may assert privacy protection for their own personal effects.
- Most managers believe that there is no right to privacy in the workplace.
- Workplace communications should be about work; anything else is a misuse of company equipment and company time
- Employers have a right to prevent misuse by monitoring employee communications
- American employees have basically no legal protection from mean and snooping bosses.
Arabic Numeral Outline
Bullet Point Outline
Mind Map Outline
Timeline Outline
Wrap Up
Whichever outline you’ve started with, it can conveniently morph into an essay draft, simply by picking an area to attack. Start fleshing it out with full sentences, complete thoughts, and relevant sources.
One of the many advantages to working from an outline is that you don’t have to begin your draft at the beginning of the paper. Pick a section you feel strongly about, and start there. Hopscotch around your outline in whatever order you choose, in order to keep the momentum going.