Writing Tools: Outlining

[I first posted the information on this page to my computer blog, On My Mac, on 6/25/2007]

I find that I can organize my thoughts best with a mind-mapping application, but some people do better with an outliner. If you have Microsoft Word, you already have an outliner. Simply create a new document, go to the View menu, and choose Outline. What to do next? To get you started, here is an image of a sample outline with some rudimentary instructions. Keep in mind that Word behaves differently in its "Outline" view than in its "Normal" or "Page Layout" views.

Now play with your Word outline and read the help files as necessary. Alternatively, you might download OmniGroup's OmniOutliner and play with it for 30 days. Make sure you try the tutorials and look at the sample files. You might also try the simple and free Deep Notes. If playing with these applications makes you want to learn more, I suggest that you begin reading Ted Goranson's helpful series About this Particular Outliner on ATPM. Scroll to the bottom of the page to read the articles in chronological order. The most important ones deal with features, usage scenarios, and user interfaces. After that you can read in-depth reviews of individual products. Whatever you do, remember that you are not looking for the best outliner, but the outliner that you work best with, if you find that outlining is for you.

Windows Users: You too can use Word, of course, and there are many other applications out there too. Try looking on a site like Download.com. See also John Buckman's survey of his experiences with Windows outliners.