Computer outlining can help suckle authors organize their ideas.

Computer outlining can help suckle authors organize their ideas. Because mostly word-processing programs have outline features, outlining has become easy to do. You can flat move ideas to new locations, and the outline numbers change automatically. This article is Part II in a two-part article upon outlining skills (Note: Part l which focused onward the topic method of outlining, was in the previous issue).

Outlining isn't what it used to be. Developing an outline at computer is much more flexible than hand writing united Now you can move items to of the present day positions, add a new musing in the middle, and demote or prefer items to a different outline of the same height while the computer program does the renumbering for you. This article provides tips forward how to get the principally out of computer outline features to organize a nursing paper.

Look for Fast solution Strokes

Most outlining features in word-processing programs include a button upon the properties bar for moving a block uped item up and down in a list or to demote or assist it to a different of the same height I find that switching from typing forward the keyboard to clicking forward the mouse slows my outlining spe in such a manner I like to use the explanation strokes instead. Some word processors like Corel(R) WordPerfect(TM) Suite use the TAB clew to move an item down in importance (demote item from 1 to 1.a) and the CTRL-TAB to induce an item up in importance (promote item from 1.a to 1) Others like M Word(TM) use the ALTSHIFT-Arrow [i]clavis[/i]s to move items up or down in importance (See Table 1) Using these keystroke allows you to act upon the items without taking your hands distant from the keyboard.

Open sum of two units Documents at Once

If you don't like to outline at all or if you like to write as you outline, consider opening sum of two units document windows at one time: individual for the outline and undivided for the manuscript text. You can have pair or more, document windows explain at one time in most numerous computer programs.

For example, I like to render free of access two sideby-side document windows when I outline and write a protracted manuscript. In one, I restrain the points in outline form. In the other, I transfer above the outline points to make headings and subheadings, below which I write the actual body That way I can outline and write simultaneously, switching from undivided document to the other as requireed When I think of a strange point to include, I can deposit it in the outline window; unless when I want to write paragraphs of passage I can switch to the document window.

Include the Outline in a interrogatory Letter

If you are going to impel a query letter, attach the outline to the question letter. The computer program will automatically number the points and sub-points for you, for a like reason the outline will attach to a inquire letter easily.

Use Headings Instead of Numbers

If you write protracted phrases or even paragraphs, before you know where the points move consider using headings to organize the easy in mind and not outline numbers. That way you can switch back and forth from headings to short phrases or clause paragraphs or as your idea bring to maturitys Some word processors, like Corel(R) WordPerfect(TM) Suite 8 allow you to choice headings instead of bullets or numbers in the outline option.

For example, for this article I started with the introductory paragraphs, wrote 5 headings forward key points I wanted to secrete went back to write those points, and as I fancy of 2 more key points I mov around the page to add recent headings.

Some nurse authors say they don't ne to outline; they write first. That hypothesis works well on computer also, because you can write the draft and then journey back and organize, move, add headings, blot out non-relevant material, and combine repetitive sections. Don't be blockheaded as some novice authors are, into thinking that your draft is your finished manuscript, because it is not. fortunate authors who use this a whole write first, organize second, and revise third.

Move

The ability to determine ideas around easily is the value of computer outlining. You can archetype and paste (or drag to move) items in a computer outline to other places in the outline. In addition, you can transcript an outline and paste it into another window. For example, if a feed author develops an outline in undivided document and then writes a ask letter to an editor in another document, she or he can pattern and paste the outline into the epistle (from one document to another one)

You can steady copy and paste between different M Windows(R)-based programs. For example, a suckle who writes an outline in her or his word-processing program could original and paste that outline into an e-mail message in the communication software (Netscape(TM), Explorer(TM), America-On-Line(TM)). This is especially useful now that you can ask most nursing journal editors from the ONLINE Nursing Editors'(TM) web page (sponsored according to Nurse Author & Editor at http://members.aol.com/suzannehj/naed.htm). You can write the inquire letter, drop in the outline for the prospective article or work and e-mail it to the journal or volume editor.

In addition, one time your manuscript is accepted and printed, you might be asked to do a presentation upon that topic. Then you can pattern and paste the outline you had for the article into a slide program (Presentations(TM), M Power Point(TM), Harvard Graphics(TM), etc) to make slides.