Essay outlines aid in the process of writing by keeping track of large amounts of information and providing a structure to work off of while writing. Below are some of the ways in which essay outlines are able to help you write different types of academic and professional papers:
Creative assignments may utilize outlines that connect various plot details and character motivations, or include any useful secondary source material or criticism that pertains to the main body of the text.
Argumentative and research papers benefit from essay outlines because they provide supplementary detail, data, and other examples that support the writer’s position or findings.

A good essay outline lists the writer’s main argument, topics to discuss, and relevant supporting material in a logical, organized form. An essay outline can help you define your areas of research, keeping them within the scope of your paper throughout the writing process. It can also give you a general overview of the big picture you are attempting to create.