So in writing this research paper advice that I would give is actually getting ahead on the scaffolding assignments because it is in a sense of a structured way to help you write your paper. Also I believe in creating your own outline that best works for you Professor Udelson may have specific outlines he wishes for you to follow but sometimes coming up with your own structured effective way is a better understanding on how you wish to guide your paper. Another advice would be mind mapping your thesis yes it is like an outline but more of a way to get all your thoughts or what you wish to say on paper by connecting each idea to a smaller counter part or narrower way of thinking.
This method helps you get to the one thing you are trying to say by helping you get rid of extra unneeded thoughts i you would say. Also coming up with topic sentences for each paragraph that connect to a larger connection would help keep your paper together. I also believe that if you begin o write and you get stuck then just rewrite the same word over and over till something comes to mind so keep the pen going so you wont loose focus I find this to help a lot. Or if you are like me writing about mythology and mystical arts read something connected to the topic to help boost the thought process that you will go through. Remember read/watch all your sources carefully and analytically to really find the true meaning and purpose.
I would honestly have to agree with you on what you said about outlining. Outlining really organizes you’re writing so much more than what it would be if you just wrote it out at once. Not only that, but it also makes writing your essay a lot more quick because you already have all the ideas laid out for you, you have an outline on how to write it, when to put in what. Therefore, all you really have to to do is draft it. I have done essays with outlines and essays without outlines, and it has made a worlds of difference.