3.3: Organize Your Writing
What is the most salient point you want your reader to remember from your correspondence? Write your main point on a blank page. Then, add sub-points to support your main objective. We often use numbering or lettering systems (with Roman or Arabic numerals) to organize or group similar information. This helps create a sense of coherence in paragraph and essay writing. Whatever system you use, you should create a hierarchy that organizes your information.
Here is an example to demonstrate this type of numbering and lettering system.
- Claim Number One
- Supporting idea or reason
- Supporting detail or evidence
- Supporting detail or evidence
- Supporting idea or reason
- Claim Number Two
- Supporting idea or reason
- Supporting detail or evidence
- Supporting detail or evidence
- Supporting idea or reason
Depending on the level of development, each letter, number, or Roman numeral can indicate a separate paragraph. This will not always be the case, but it will help you think about the components of an outline. As you locate and find information to support your claims and reasoning, an outline helps you organize your information logically and clearly. Read this article for a more detailed example. The section on writing outlines offers a sample outline that uses this development system from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Read this section, which explains how to organize your content coherently. If your document has several sections, consider using headers to summarize your sub-point and reinforce your main point. This will make it easier to review your written materials and understand your message.
Flow refers to how you move from one concept or idea to another. How can you transition smoothly from one section to the next so your content is enjoyable, easy to read, and not jarring?