As someone who frequently engages in writing, the process of outlining can make or break a project. Outlining is like sketching a roadmap for your story or article, and there are two distinct schools of thought about the best way to approach outlining: traditional and digital. Here, we’ll look at the pros and cons of each method.

Traditional Outlining Methods

Traditional outlining methods involve methods like handwriting bullet points on paper, sticky notes, or drawing mind maps on a whiteboard. These methods have been around for centuries and have proven to be effective for generations.

Pros

  • It’s tactile and can help with retention: Writing things out by hand engages us physically with the material, which can help with retention and recall down the road.
  • It promotes creativity: Studies have found that using physical tools like pen and paper can stimulate the brain in ways that typing can’t. This can lead to more creative and out-of-the-box thinking.
  • It’s portable: Traditional outlining methods require no electricity or battery power, which makes them completely portable and easy to transport.
  • It reduces distractions: Traditional methods eliminate the distractions inherent in the digital world. With pen and paper, there are no email notifications or social media distractions to take your attention away from the task at hand.

A photo of a person writing in a notebook, surrounded by sticky notes and pens.

Cons

  • It’s not as neat or organized: Traditional outlining methods can quickly become cluttered and disorganized if not managed well.
  • It’s not as easily shareable: If you’re working on a project with others, traditional methods can make it difficult to share your work with others in an easy and seamless way.
  • It’s less efficient: Traditional methods can require more time and effort to create the outline.

Digital Outlining Methods

Digital outlining methods are on the rise, with software like Evernote, Scrivener, and Trello becoming increasingly popular among writers.

Pros

  • It’s easier to manage: With digital outlining methods, it’s easy to rearrange and reorder notes, move sections around and keep track of progress.
  • It’s more organized: Digital outlining methods can help you keep things much neater and more organized than traditional methods.
  • It’s easier to share: Digital outlining methods make it easy to share your work with others, making collaboration a breeze.
  • It’s efficient: Digital outlining can cut down on the time and effort required to create the outline.

A photo of a person typing on a laptop with a screen displaying a mind map.

Cons

  • It requires technology: Digital outlining requires technology, which can bring with it distractions and a need for electricity or battery power.
  • It can reduce creativity: Since digital outlining methods are more structured, they may reduce the out-of-the-box thinking that can come from traditional methods.
  • It’s not tactile: Since you’re typing, you’re not physically engaging with the material, which can make it more difficult to retain and recall later on.
  • It can become overwhelming: With so many options and capabilities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the digital tools at your disposal.

Conclusion

In the end, it’s up to each individual to decide which method of outlining is best for them. Traditional methods are ideal for those who prefer better retention and a more tactile experience. Digital methods are for those who need organization, efficiency, and the ability to share their work easily. Regardless of which method you choose, one thing remains constant: outlining is an essential step in the writing process.

A photo of a person sitting at a desk, surrounded by both traditional and digital outlining tools.