I'm answering the question for you guys Why is it a good idea to outline answers to essay questions if you run out of time during a test?

THE ANSWER ON EDGE IS
By supplying teachers with an outline, a student can show that they know the information, but were unable to complete the test in time. Outlining an answer may allow for some points, while leave the answer blank will allow for no points.

the present continuous is a verb tense which is mainly used to indicates that an action is in progress at the moment of speaking.  

it is formed using: person + verb to be (am/is/are) +verb + - ing form  

example: i am studying at this moment .

in addition, the present continuous is also used in order to express things that will or will not happen in the near future.

example: i am having dinner with some friends tonight.

the speaker sometimes   uses it   to express that an action is repeated and it causes irritation on the part of the speaker

example: my sister is constantly complaining about everything.

what’s the topic your looking for

i'm thinking it would be when compound subjects are joined by or, nor,either-or, neither-nor.