Organization is essential to good writing. It is the part of writing that involves maintaining focus, a logical progression of your argument, paragraphs that remain on task, and good transitions between paragraphs. Outlining, whether formal or informal, is one tool many writers use to help them organize their thoughts.

The following are some links to websites with helpful information about paper organization:

Dartmouth Writing Center:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/write.shtml

University of Toronto website:
http://www.utoronto.ca/ucwriting/organizing.html

The Content and Organization handouts section of Utah Valley State University:
http://www.uvsc.edu/owl/handouts.html