Outlines/Paragraphs

On the subject of outlines, I’m afraid I don’t have much to comment on. I have used outlines regularly now for most of my adult life. Life is so much simpler when you have a plan of action outlined; whether it be the details of a business meeting you have to lead or simply charting your course of progress through lengthy material you have to read and dissect. Outlines are the way to go.

Ironically, I can go on about paragraphs for awhile. Leaving high school I had wrote one type of paper. The stereotypical five paragraph essay, with an introductory paragraph followed by three paragraphs supporting your thesis and ending with the obvious conclusion. All paragraphs must five to seven sentences long… What a bunch of crap! I don’t know how many times I was criticized by so called “educators” who said my style of writing would not be successful in college because I was not adhering to their guidelines.

Imagine my surprise when my college professors told me to quickly abandon this style of writing that had been beaten into my skull, even more so for me because of my “mule” like stubborn qualities. This would lead me to write about the flaws of high school educators who I can say, for myself, did a really poor job of preparing anyone for college! But I have to write about paragraphs instead so maybe another time.

It is important to note that paragraphs are essentially outlines. Just lengthier and more in depth. I’m sure that is the reason for this week’s blog assignment. So organize your thoughts in an outline, identify the transitions, and then just elaborate on it in essay form. Simple as that. Don’t worry about paragraph length or word count; if you feel the idea of your paper is shifting, simply start a new paragraph. Give your readers an indication that you are moving on from one idea to the next. And when you’re done, seek out your old English instructors and scold them for being inept and poisoning your mind with faulty writing techniques designed to make THEIR life easier.