A Battle Plan for Outlines
by Ethan Powell, Computer Science and Cybersecurity Major
Even as an experienced soldier in the army of writing, you may sometimes find it difficult to get started on a paper. With so many plans of attack, where does one begin? Historically, great generals ALWAYS plan before their battles, creating strategies and areas of attack to ensure that all bases are covered. Without a plan, an attack can fall apart and cause great damage to the army (or grade!) of the general in charge. How are battle plans made, you ask? Fret not, soldier, for I have crafted a battle plan for battle plans!
Topic: Making a battle plan for the war on papers!
Prompt: Why are battle plans (outlines) important, and how can a person use a battle plan (outline) to help in writing a paper?
Introduction Idea: The professor just assigned you a paper gave you the next order: “Write a paper!” Your troops (your thoughts) are trained and ready, but they have no direction. It is your job to guide them correctly in order to win this battle!
Thesis: Battle plans (otherwise known as outlines) are important tools in the planning process that assist in structuring your paper, organizing your thoughts, and ensuring you address the prompt.
Body Paragraph Ideas:
1) Creating a battle plan
a) Brainstorm
b) Plan
c) Battle
2) Brainstorming!
a) Mind maps
i. Draw a central image (Main topic)
ii. Add branches (Big points that relate to the main topic)
iii. Define smaller branches (These are detailed points that explain more about the larger branches connected to the main topic.)
b) Word Dump
i. Topic — Battle plans (outlines) can help plan in your war on papers.
ii. Topic — Brainstorming is a way to start gathering ideas.
iii. Topic — Types of outlines
iv. Topic — How do outline types differ?
3) Planning
a) Write your topic.
b) Consolidate your soldiers (your brainstormed ideas).
c) Structure them.
d) Order them.
e) Fight! I mean, write!
Conclusion Idea: You have many people rooting for you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it! Even the best generals and commanders have trusted advisors to help them.
Now you have a battle plan for how to create your own battle plans! Try to structure your own battle plan similarly to the one created above in order to organize your battle plan effectively. Start with your big ideas and break them down into small sections, placing them under the ideas that they relate to. This will help determine the hierarchy of ideas in your paper and show you if you have any ideas that may need to be changed or ideas that are repeated. Now, soldier, go forth and win!
Do you have a writing prompt and don’t know where to start? Take a look at our tips for breaking down a prompt!
