Final answer:
Outlines are essential in critical writing for organizing ideas, clarifying the focus and thesis, and demonstrating the writer's intent effectively. They guide both the writer and the readers, ensuring that the essay is structured and persuasive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that outlines need not be used in critical writing is false. Outlines play a critical role in organizing ideas and ensuring that the text has a clear focus and thesis. They also help to demonstrate the writer's intent to meet or challenge conventional expectations in rhetorically effective ways.
Outlines serve to guide both the writer and the reader, making sure that each point made is easy to follow and logically structured. A well-organized paper with effective transitions is more likely to convey its argument effectively and appeal to readers' intelligence and sympathies. Moreover, a strong outline demonstrates oral fluency and can significantly enhance the impact of the writer's delivery, whether in written or spoken form.
It is important to understand that while there are many different approaches to writing, such as freewriting or conducting research before creating an outline, the utility of an outline in forming a coherent and focused argument in critical writing is invaluable. Therefore, not skipping the outline is advisable for producing structured, compelling, and effective literary essays.