Use the following strategies to review the structure, organization, and design of your document:
Scan headings and subheadings. If you have used headings and subheadings, they can help you track the overall flow of your ideas. Ask whether the organization they reveal is appropriate for your writing situation and your role as a writer.
Scan the first sentence of each paragraph. A quick reading of the first sentence of each paragraph can reveal points at which your ideas shift. As you note these shifts, think about whether they are appropriate and effective.
Outline your document. Create a topical or sentence outline of your document to assess its structure and organization. This strategy, sometimes called a reverse outline, helps you identify the sequence of your points and the amount of space you’ve devoted to each aspect of your document. If you are viewing your document in a word-processing program, use the Styles tool to assign levels to headings in your document; then view it in Outline view.
Map your document. On paper or in a graphics program, draw a map of your document. Like an outline, a map can help you identify the organization of your points and the amount of evidence you’ve used to support them. As you review the organization and structure of your document, reflect on whether it is appropriate given your purpose, readers, argument, and available information.