Paper Outline
So it's the night before our first paper draft (or what we have done?) is due, and I'm here in the libary writing, and I realized this one fact: I hate doing paper outlines.
Hate.
For me, outlining a paper is like giving birth to a child, and then saying:
Well, you'll go to such and such pre-school at age 5, then at age six you'll attend so and so elementary. At the age of 12 you'll attend this middle/junior high school, and at 14 you'll attend that high school. When you're 18 you'll graduate and go to Harvard and study law. You'll take a break and serve a mission in this or that country (foreign language speaking). You'll return, and transfer to BYU. Then when you're 24 you'll get married to X-girl. Also at 24 you'll go to business school at Princeton. When you're 25 you'll have your first child . . ."
I feel like my baby's moving out next week and I'm in the middle of labor for goodness sake!
That isn't to say I don't plan. I know what sources I'll use, and the big points I want to make. I just don't map out every direction I'm going.
That way, in the end, my paper surprises me.
I like that feeling.
Note: This is not meant to offend anyone who loves outlines or plans out their children's life (lives?) for them. This is also not meant to offend anyone who already has their paper completed. It is also not meant to get me in trouble for procrastination.
I'd just like all of us English teachers to remember that not everyone likes or uses outlines.
Thanks for letting me vent.