Here's why:
* Brainstorming/Prewriting: This stage involves generating ideas, researching, and gathering information. You might use freewriting, mind mapping, or other techniques.
* Outline: An outline structures and organizes the ideas generated during brainstorming. It establishes the main points, supporting details, and overall flow of your writing.
* Drafting: With a clear outline as your guide, you can focus on developing your ideas and writing the actual text. The outline provides a framework to keep you on track and prevent you from getting lost in the writing process.
Therefore, the outline acts as a crucial intermediary, helping you transition from the initial exploration of ideas to the actual writing of your text.