Reverse Outlining

Sometimes, you know you need to revise a piece of writing, but you're just not sure where to start or what to do. Perhaps you have received comments and feedback, maybe your organization is unclear. Revision can feel intimidating if your document is long and/or if the changes you must make are substantial. To rise to this challenge, I recommend "reverse outlining." Here's what to do:

1. Print out a copy of your draft. In the margins, number each paragraph of the text.

2. Get a blank sheet of paper. At the top, write the word "Thesis" and then leave some blank space. Then, create numbered spaces for each of your paragraphs (see figure below). Leave enough space between each number to write a sentence or two.


3. Step outside yourself. Although you are the author of your draft, for the purpose of this exercise imagine that you are not.

4. Locate the central argument or thesis. Read the first couple of paragraphs of the document. If it is a particularly long document, such as a scholarly article or a dissertation chapter, you may need to read the entire introduction. Can you identify the main point of the paper? If yes, write that main point next to the word "Thesis" on your sheet of paper. If no, one of the first tasks of your revision should be to strengthen and clarify your thesis!

5. Read the first paragraph of your paper. Can you identify the main point of that paragraph? What is it about? How does it relate to your thesis? Write the main idea of that paragraph next to the words "Paragraph 1" on your paper.

6. Repeat this step for each paragraph in your paper. You are effectively creating an outline of the paper as though you were reading it to comprehend its content. As you go, be on the look out for paragraphs that have no clear point, paragraphs that contain multiple arguments, and paragraphs that lack clear connection to your thesis.

7. Use the outline you have just created to guide your revisions. Now that you have a concise snapshot of your content, it should be easier for you to identify gaps in your argument, see how to usefully reorder paragraphs, and recognize what content needs to be cut or added.

8. Go for it! Save your old rough draft on your computer. In a new version of the document, you can now begin cutting, pasting, moving text, and adding to your draft.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the distillation of your central argument into one or two concise sentences. If you must write a paper on a topic of your choice, follow these steps to create a strong thesis statement:

1. Choose a topic. When you get to select your own topic, take advantage of the opportunity to write about something that genuinely interests you. You will have more energy and motivation to work if you are investigating a subject about which you are truly curious. For example, one of my students was assigned a persuasive essay on the topic of his choice. He is an avid follower of financial and investment news, particularly as these pertain to politics and the economy. His topic:

The Recent Credit Crisis

This is not yet a thesis statement. It is a topic.


2. Narrow and focus the topic. For a thesis statement to be both (a) strong and (b) manageable within the scope of your assignment, it is usually necessary to take your general topic and make it more specific. This student decided to consider the relationship between the financial industry and the credit crisis:

Financial Institutions & The Credit Crisis

Looking good. The credit crisis as a whole is probably too large and complex a topic to treat adequately in a brief paper. So this student made his topic more specific by identifying what aspect of the credit crisis he wants to focus on. However, this is still just a topic, not a thesis statement.


3. Assert a position in the topic that you can support with evidence. The next step is to take a stand. Your thesis statement must present your central argument. My student's move from topic to statement looked like this:

Changes in legislation governing financial institutions greatly contributed to the recent credit crisis, and were it not for specific provisions in the legislation, the crisis would have been less severe.

Now, we have a statement that the author can support with evidence. His task will be to persuade readers to adopt his position. However, this statement contains some vague language. Thus, the next step is to...


4. Specify vague terms. The more concrete and specific you can be, the better. In this student's case, his first attempt at making a statement begs at least a couple of questions: What legislation? Which credit crisis? He made his argument more specific with the following revisions:

Provisions in the Financial Services Modernization Act
of 1999 contributed greatly to both the financial credit
crisis of 2000-2001and current recession and were it not
for specific provisions in the legislation, the crisis
would have been less severe.

5. Provide a road map. The thesis statement is improving, but it lacks a critical element. Strong thesis statements give readers a clear sense of not only what you will argue, but how you will support your position. Accordingly, I urged this student to enumerate his main points of support. He responded with the following revision:

Provisions in the Financial Services Modernization Act
of 1999 contributed greatly to both the financial credit
crisis of 2000-2001 and current recession because U.S.
lawmakers ignored the lessons from the Great Depression,
failed to promote a competitive business environment,
and allowed several institutions to become too large to fail.

Through a series of thoughtful revisions, this student developed a thesis statement that is focused and specific. The statement takes a clear position and provides the major points of support that will be developed in the essay that follows.

By following these simple steps, you too can write great thesis statements!

Many thanks to Mike for permitting me to use his excellent work as an example in this post.

Summertime is a Great Time to Research Colleges

Summertime is an excellent time to research colleges and think about where you might like to apply. Now that school-year activities are on hiatus, why not make the time to give the college search process the time and attention it deserves? Researching colleges is a good idea no matter what grade you are in—there’s no reason to put this off until the summer before your senior year.

Here are a few suggestions to get your summer college search started:

• Use an online search tool such as The College Board's College Matchmaker
• Look at school, department, and faculty websites
• Find schools on Facebook, join affiliated groups, correspond with current students
• Read school profiles in the Fiske Guide to Colleges
• Contact Admissions Officers at colleges and ask questions
• Visit campuses in person
  

These are only a few of many effective ways you can research colleges. Please visit my website www.tamtastic.org and feel free to contact me for more tips and strategies. Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!

Write an Essay, Win Money for College

FIRE’s “Freedom in Academia” Essay Contest
https://www.thefire.org/contest.essay.php

U.S. high school seniors are invited to watch two short videos about real students who were censored and punished for speech that is protected by the U.S. Constitution. Then, "in 700-1200 words, please discuss the videos you have seen and explain how these universities betrayed the purpose of a university and violated the constitutional guarantees of free expression. Focus on why such codes and practices are incompatible with higher education and why free speech is important in our nation's colleges and universities." Visit the contest link for more information and details.
Deadline: November 6, 2009
Prize: $5,000



First Freedom Student Competition
http://www.firstfreedom.org/education/students.html

U.S. high school students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit essays examining religious freedom and its relevance in their lives. This year's topic: "Why should international religious freedom matter to you as a young American? Is the United States commitment to monitor and advance religious freedom consistent with American legal and political history? Why should it be United States policy to advance this international human right? How does this responsibility lie 'in your hands' for you both as an individual and as a member of a community?" Visit the contest link for more information and details.
Deadlines: Register online by November 23, 2009. Submit your essay by November 28, 2009.
Prize: $3,000

Parsing a Prompt

Having a hard time starting that paper? You're not alone. Many students have difficulty beginning an assignment, often because they do not fully understand what they are expected to accomplish. Here's how to figure it out:

1. Your instructor has probably given you an assignment sheet - a prompt - that describes what you are supposed to do. If you don't remember receiving this, look for a description of the assignment in your syllabus, or ask your teacher, professor, or TA if such a document is available. Assignment prompts provide detailed instructions about the requirements. Sometimes these prompts also include a grading rubric with specific information about how your paper will be evaluated.

2. Once you have a copy of the prompt, read it carefully. Ideally, read it through more than once!

3. Next, analyze the assignment prompt by asking yourself questions such as:

• What is the purpose? (What am I supposed to learn or accomplish in writing this piece?)
• What are the stated substantive requirements?
• Who is the audience?
• How does the context influence the assignment? (How does this assignment connect to course content? How does it fit into my professional training in this discipline?)
  
• What is the scope of the assignment? (How many sources? How many examples? How broad or specific should my topic or argument be?)
• What style is appropriate? (Formal? Informal? What discipline-specific style conventions am I expected to observe?)
• What format is expected? (Citation format, length, margins, headers, etc.)

If you can answer these questions, you'll have a much stronger sense of how to approach your paper.

4. If you are uncertain about any of the requirements, ask your instructor for clarification. Once you know exactly what you are expected to do, you will be able to meet the objectives of your assignment more effectively, efficiently, and confidently.

How to Wait for SAT Scores

After months of preparation and perspiration, your SAT test date looms large. And then suddenly, it’s passed. But now what? The test is over, it’s out of your hands, but you still lack that all-important nugget of information: THE SCORE. At least two and half weeks will elapse between the test date and when scores are posted to the web. Though this period might feel like an eternity, it does not need to be excruciating! Here are a few tips for teens and their parents trying to weather this potentially stressful period.

For teens:

• Manage your stress levels in all of the usual ways: get enough rest, eat nutritious foods, exercise, stretch, meditate.
• Go easy on yourself, for at least a couple of days. Allow yourself to veg out and recover. Play some video games, hang out with your friends, get a pedicure, take a nap.
• Reward yourself for getting through the test, no matter what your score.
• Keep the test in perspective. Your score does not determine your value as a person. Though important, it is just a number. Colleges see you as more than just your SAT score. And, of course, so do your friends and family.
• Focus on other ways to strengthen your college applications: work on your essays, keep up with your courses, and stay involved in your extra-curricular activities.
  

For parents:

• Don’t hover, don’t hassle, don’t count down the days. Your teen is probably fixated on waiting for the score report. Don’t encourage this! No need to add your own anxiety to the mix.
• Instead, encourage your teen to unwind.
• Plan something simple, fun, and relaxing to celebrate that the test date is now behind you. Suggest an activity you both enjoy, prepare your kid’s favorite dessert, or take the family out to the movies.
• Remind your child that he or she has already made it through the toughest parts—studying for and actually taking the test!
• Most importantly, in subtle and unassuming ways, make sure your kid knows that self-worth and SAT scores are not related in any way whatsoever. No matter what, you love your child and are very proud of him or her.

Note: This piece originally appeared as a guest post I wrote for Vanessa Van Petten's website www.radicalparenting.com.

Cool Scholarship Opportunities

Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarship
http://www.krylon.com/krylon-weblogic/art/

High school seniors, college freshmen, and college sophomores majoring in a visual arts program such as painting, drawing or sketching (excluding graphic design, interior design, film, music or the performing arts) are invited to submit portfolios of 3-6 high resolution images of their art work. An artist's statement, letter of recommendation, and transcript are also required to apply.

Deadline: May 31, 2009
Prize: $1000 + gift package of Krylon sprays and adhesives
Rules & Application Form: http://www.krylon.com/pdf/Krylon_Art_Scholarship_App.pdf



National Sculpture Society Scholarship
http://www.nationalsculpture.org/nss/index.cfm/method/main.scholarships

Scholarships are awarded for figurative or representational works of sculpture. Students must submit images of their sculptures on a CD. Applicants must also submit letters of recommendation and proof of financial need. Complete rules and additional details are available at the NSS website.

Deadline: June 1, 2009
Prize: $2,000



Swakhamer Video Contest for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
http://www.wagingpeace.org/menu/programs/awards-&-contests/video-contest/2009/index.htm

President Obama has stated, “This is the moment to begin the work of seeking the peace of a world without nuclear weapons.” How can we achieve a world free of nuclear weapons by the year 2020? Once this is achieved, how can we make sure that the “nuclear genie” stays in the bottle forever? Make a video of 3 minutes or less addressing these questions.

Deadline: June 15, 2009
Prize: $1000

Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=150

The Voice of Democracy National Audio Essay Contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12. You must write and record an essay of between three and five minutes. The theme of your essay must be "Does America still have Heroes?"

Deadline: November 1, 2009
Prize: $30,000