What is important to remember when grouping ideas into an outline

Things to remember when grouping ideas into an outline:

1. Have a theme or thesis that will guide the organization of your ideas.  If you try to include everything that might be said about a subject, your project will be too broad and might provide too much random information.  Find a focus -- a theme you want to show or a thesis you intend to defend and demonstrate.

2.  Have a coherent pattern in how you organize your ideas.  There could be more than one sort of pattern -- maybe a chronological flow, maybe biggest concepts first, followed by smaller supporting points.  But look for links between your points.  What will be the transitions from each point to the next as you write?

3. Keep your audience in mind.  Remember that you're presenting your work to others, and seek to include material and arrange material in ways that will reach the intended audience.  You wouldn't include a high amount of technical detail on military aircraft specifications, for instance, in writing a report for non-military people about how a particular battle was a turning point in a war. 

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