The Reverse Outline—What It Is and How It Can Help You

If you’re like most writers, what you most want to know is whether your book draft is any good.

You don’t need to make yourself a pest asking all of your friends and acquaintances to read your work and tell you their polite impressions. You can check your work from a big picture perspective, and figure out where the weak points may be, yourself.

How? you ask. Answer: the reverse  outline.

You can check your work from a big picture perspective, & figure out your weak points with the reverse #outline. #writingcommunity Share on X

What is a reverse outline?

A reverse outline is what it sounds like—an outline you write after the manuscript draft, rather than before. Rather than planning what to write, you’re catalogue what you’ve already written.

That sounds like a weird thing to do, you might be thinking. I’ve written the book. I know what’s in it.

Maybe.

There’s the plan, and what you’ve executed. The ideas you had that you discarded along the way, and the new ones you discovered. And the plain fact that while you’re writing, you’re too close to the work to think about it objectively.

There’s the plan...and what you’ve executed. With the reverse #outline, rather than planning what to write, you’re catalogue what you’ve already written. #writingtip Share on X

Let’s look at what a reverse outline for both nonfiction and fiction look like.

How to create a reverse outline for nonfiction

Step 1: What is your book’s main argument?

Your answer should be no more than 2-3 sentences. The wordy among you will not receive bonus points for sentences of magnificent length.

Not what you wanted to write about, not what you hope it’s about, but what your book is actually about.

Struggling with this? That’s your first clue. You may need to clarify your message.

Step 2: Look at each chapter

…again as written, and write 1-2 sentences on the main focus/lesson of each. On a separate line, note how the chapter focus ties into the overall book message…or doesn’t.

Observe whether answering these questions is difficult or not. Notice if some chapters are easier than others. These are additional clues.

Struggling with this step indicates that chapters are vague, indistinguishable, or unnecessary.

Step 3: Take another shot at Step 1

If you’ve been able to complete Step 2 for most of your chapters, see if you can clarify the big idea.

How difficult you find this exercise demonstrates how much you need to clarify your book’s overall message and goals for yourself—and hence, how good the book is on a fundamental level. If you can’t describe your big idea or its components to yourself, how effectively will you communicate with your readers?

If you can’t describe your big idea or its components to yourself, how effectively will you communicate with your readers? #nonfiction #writingtip Share on X

How to create a reverse outline for fiction

In contrast to nonfiction, in fiction you’re better served looking at scenes rather than chapters, since each chapter may contain more than one scene.

Step 1: What’s your story about?

Write a 3-5 paragraph high-level story summary.

Step 2: List all your scenes

For each scene, note:

• POV character
• any other characters present
• what happens (plot)
• why it matters (internal goal/stakes)
• how the scene leads to the next chapter or scene (consequence)

Additional details you may wish to include, depending on your story, could be:

• where the scene fits in the timeline (flashback, flashforward, ongoing)
• if it’s part of the main plot or a subplot

Step 3: Take another look at Step 1

After you complete Step 2, see if you have an easier time.

Notice where you struggle. Particularly useful clues will arise out of the “why it matters” and “consequence” notes.

You are the person telling this story—if something doesn’t make sense to you, your readers will likely have a hard time as well.

You are the person telling this story—if something doesn’t make sense to you, your readers will likely have a hard time as well. #fiction #writingcommunity Share on X

How to use your reverse outline

For nonfiction

Looking at your reverse outline, ask yourself:

• Does every chapter relate back to your main idea?
• Do any of the chapters seem like they replace the main idea?
• Is every chapter distinct, or do some of them seem to repeat content?
• Do some chapters try do too much?
• Where might readers have a hard time following your argument?

A good nonfiction book builds on itself. Chapter topics should naturally follow and connect to one another.

Based on what you see with your reverse outline, you may consider adding, deleting, splitting, combining, or reorganizing your chapters.

For fiction

Every scene should have a job. The jobs can include:

• moving the plot forward
• introducing or developing a character or character relationships
• establishing the setting, if this is important to the story
• establishing the tone
• setting up an important turn of events later

Your first question is: What is the point of this scene? Why is it here?

Every scene has a job. If you’re not sure what the scene’s job is, or you have multiple scenes with the same job, these are red flags. #writingtip #fiction Share on X

If you’re not sure what the scene’s job is, or you have multiple scenes with the same job, these are red flags.

Your second question is: Are there any holes?

These could be holes in the plot, in character or relationship development, or in basic story logic.

Your third question is: How is the pacing?

Notice if you’re spending disproportionate time/words on a particular event, character, place, and so on. Are you describing to the detriment of forward motion? Are you racing ahead to the detriment of character development?

Just as with nonfiction, you may add, delete, revise, or reorder scenes.

Bottom Line

A reverse outline forces you to think about big picture elements rather than how fancy your sentences are. When you write a reverse outline, you’re using plain language to describe what’s actually there. In order to be effective, you must be brutally honest.

Yes, this can be annoying, if not painful. Yes, diagnosing may be easier than implementing the changes. However, you’re making huge progress in terms of creating an excellent book readers will connect with and enthusiastically recommend to others. And that, my friends, makes this 100% worth it.

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Need some help with an outline, reverse or otherwise? A book structure intensive brings light to the dark places.

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CC image “perspective” courtesy of limeabeans on Flickr. Some rights reserved.