Difference between revisions of "Ideas and Outlining"
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{{3040Topic|Introduction= | {{3040Topic|Introduction= | ||
− | The purpose of this section is to show you a good way to gather information and ideas for your writing and then how to organize those ideas into an outline that will guide you throughout the remainder of the writing process. | + | The purpose of this section is to show you a good way to gather information and ideas for your writing and then how to organize those ideas into an outline that will guide you throughout the remainder of the writing process.|Chapter_TOC=The Writing Process |
|...by students= | |...by students= | ||
''Why use an Outline?'' | ''Why use an Outline?'' | ||
− | Consider going on a road trip to a place you have never been. In order to get there you need a list of all the essentials and then you need to plot your course on a road map. You may be able to get to your destination without using a map at all, but the trip wouldn't be as smooth and enjoyable as if you did know where you're going. Similarly, with an outline you have a list of everything you need (''ideas''), and now it's time to plot your course (''outline'') for a smooth writing experience. | + | Consider going on a road trip to a place you have never been. In order to get there you need a list of all the packing essentials and then you need to plot your course on a road map. You may be able to get to your destination without using a map at all, but the trip wouldn't be as smooth and enjoyable as if you did know where you're going. Similarly, with an outline you have a list of everything you need (''ideas''), and now it's time to plot your course (''outline'') for a smooth writing experience. |
}} | }} | ||
==Ideas== | ==Ideas== | ||
− | Starting to gather ideas can often be the hardest part of writing anything, but having identified your [ | + | Starting to gather ideas can often be the hardest part of writing anything, but having identified your [[purpose]] and [[audience]] prior to this makes the process quite painless. |
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*All the information in the world won't help your cause if you forget what it is. Here are a few tips for taking notes that will help you in the future: | *All the information in the world won't help your cause if you forget what it is. Here are a few tips for taking notes that will help you in the future: | ||
**Record your information carefully so you have complete quotes, statistics, names, etc. | **Record your information carefully so you have complete quotes, statistics, names, etc. | ||
− | **Always make a note of where you get your information so you can acknowledge your sources properly in your writing | + | **Always make a note of where you get your information so you can acknowledge your sources properly in your writing |
− | **Create a bibliography as you find your information, that way it will be easier to put together at the end of your paper | + | **Create a bibliography as you find your information, that way it will be easier to put together at the end of your paper |
==Outlining== | ==Outlining== | ||
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*Decide what is going to go where. This is entirely based on the way that you need to approach your subject. Are you talking about a problem and then trying to sell a solution? Perhaps you are reporting on manufacturing issues and solutions. You can list all the major issues, followed by the minor ones, followed by further analysis and solutions. | *Decide what is going to go where. This is entirely based on the way that you need to approach your subject. Are you talking about a problem and then trying to sell a solution? Perhaps you are reporting on manufacturing issues and solutions. You can list all the major issues, followed by the minor ones, followed by further analysis and solutions. | ||
− | *In any case, here's what you want to do | + | *In any case, here's what you want to do: |
**Number your main points in the order that you want them to appear in your paper | **Number your main points in the order that you want them to appear in your paper | ||
− | **Number each of the secondary points within their respective main points | + | **Number each of the secondary points within their respective main points according to the order they should appear |
*If you notice that a main point doesn't have enough secondary points to sufficiently develop the idea, then you may want to reconsider using the point or go back to brainstorming for that particular idea. | *If you notice that a main point doesn't have enough secondary points to sufficiently develop the idea, then you may want to reconsider using the point or go back to brainstorming for that particular idea. | ||
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*This is the final step in creating your working outline. It's one part clean up, one part rewording, and one part reorganizing. | *This is the final step in creating your working outline. It's one part clean up, one part rewording, and one part reorganizing. | ||
**Write down all your points in their number orders, reorganizing them if it makes sense to do so | **Write down all your points in their number orders, reorganizing them if it makes sense to do so | ||
− | **Reword your points to better suit | + | **Reword your points to better suit the content and context in relation to their surrounding points |
− | * | + | *Instead of using sentences, write each point as a topic; a sentence may prematurely lock you into particular wordings that may not flow well when you begin the next phase: [https://wiki3040.cs.umanitoba.ca/mediawiki/index.php/Organizing_and_Writing_the_First_Draft Writing the First Draft]. |
==External References== | ==External References== |
Latest revision as of 11:26, 20 April 2008
COMP3040 > The Writing Process
Introduction
The purpose of this section is to show you a good way to gather information and ideas for your writing and then how to organize those ideas into an outline that will guide you throughout the remainder of the writing process.
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...by studentsWhy use an Outline? Consider going on a road trip to a place you have never been. In order to get there you need a list of all the packing essentials and then you need to plot your course on a road map. You may be able to get to your destination without using a map at all, but the trip wouldn't be as smooth and enjoyable as if you did know where you're going. Similarly, with an outline you have a list of everything you need (ideas), and now it's time to plot your course (outline) for a smooth writing experience. IdeasStarting to gather ideas can often be the hardest part of writing anything, but having identified your purpose and audience prior to this makes the process quite painless.
OutliningHaving all your ideas on paper, you now need to work them into a form of writing. Before you begin writing it is important to have an outline to guide your thoughts and the flow of the project. Here are some basic steps to help you along your way.
External Referenceshttp://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/step4.htm http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/plduffyrc/library/study/default.htm http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/sloppywriter.htm http://www.mindrelief.net/outline.html |