What is a preliminary outline?

A preliminary outline is a high-level written overview intended to organize ideas and thoughts in the early stages of writing. It may help solidify the themes and ideas in the writing and result in a more coherent and streamlined final draft.

Preliminary outlines serve as an aid to producing the final draft of an article or story. They typically entail organizing the author's ideas into a list that separates each point or idea into its own section, such as an introduction, supporting sections and a conclusion. This can help the author review the material for any changes that may need to be made to produce a higher quality final product.