Final answer:
The best time to use an informal outline is while collecting notes from reading, as it facilitates understanding and organizing ideas in an informal manner before formal writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
An informal outline is most beneficial when a student is engaging in activities that require the organization of ideas without needing a strict structure. Therefore, the best time to use an informal outline would be C. While collecting notes from reading. An informal outline helps students better understand the reading through informal analysis and prepares them for writing a more formal essay by recording their initial impressions of a text. It also allows for a comfortable and low-stakes way to practice close-reading and organize thoughts quickly and informally before further refinement.
In contexts such as preparing to give a speech or writing an essay, an informal outline is also useful. While preparing to give a speech, it can help form a framework for the discussion without needing detailed content like a research paper might. Additionally, when writing an essay, an informal outline can aid in organizing the 'big ideas' before diving into a structured draft. Overall, informal outlines are a versatile tool that helps in various stages of the writing and organization process.