When writing an essay, a key element is choosing the structure that will present your information in the most appropriate way. Formal essays call for a tight organization. The audience expects to see logical development of ideas and research. In order to fulfill the purpose of your paper, you will need to decide which structure will compliment your subject. Outlining is a tool that can help a writer create a structure and to maintain it during the writing process.
Source: Kathleen Hanley
Creating an outline before you begin to write the essay is helpful. Following an outline keeps you on track and keeps your stucture true and consistent. This outline can be used with a paper of any length.
Source: Kathleen Hanley