During the outlining process, what is the second step?

The second step in the outlining process involves grouping related ideas and removing irrelevant topics. This step is crucial as it helps in organizing thoughts and ensuring that the outline flows logically and coherently. By grouping related ideas together, you can create a structure that highlights the connections between different points, making the outline more effective in conveying the main message.

Additionally, removing irrelevant topics prevents clutter and confusion, allowing for a more focused and streamlined approach to the subject matter. This clarity is essential in both the writing process and in communicating ideas effectively to an audience.

In the context of the other choices, while writing a thesis statement is an important part of the process, it typically occurs earlier, and identifying the main argument also precedes the detailed outlining, focusing on overarching themes rather than the specific arrangement of ideas. Rearranging ideas into a logical order is generally a subsequent step following the initial grouping and organization of thoughts.