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When you write an essay, an outline will be your best ally. It will help you not to lose track of your thoughts. It serves as a framework of your ideas. Honestly, it is not easy to write an essay if you don’t have an outline. It is part of the prewriting process, and it is necessary before you start doing the rough draft. Aside from researching, it also requires brainstorming and planning. But if you don’t know how to start doing one, here are ways on how to write an essay outline.

Writing an Essay Outline

1. Determining the purpose of your essay is the first step in writing the essay outline. Based on the purpose, you can then narrow down the topic which you need to do a research in preparation for your thesis statement.

2. In formulating your thesis statement, it should illustrate the objective of your essay. It’s a way of giving an idea to the readers on what the essay is all about.

3. After narrowing down the topic, doing research, and formulating the thesis statement, you can now start your essay outline. Brainstorm for every idea which you think is important to your essay. And then organize them together.

4. Determine the points which you want to include in each paragraph of your essay. And under each point, create a corresponding subheading. It will prevent you from forgetting anything of significance to your essay.

5. Remember that an essay outline doesn’t have to be as lengthy as possible. A single page is even enough. It is like making a list of the ideas that you have organized, and it must consist of an introduction, body, and conclusion.

6. The introduction must include the thesis statement of the essay. The reason why you have selected that particular topic should also be stated. It should also contain at least three topic sentences that must be included in the body of the essay. 

7. If you are going to make a five paragraph essay, then three of these paragraphs are the main body. Your outline must then include the topic sentence for each paragraph which relates to the thesis statement, explanation and evidence in support to the topic sentence, as well as the significance of your example.

8. The summary of the said topic sentences should then be discussed in the conclusion, and how the topic sentences have supported the thesis statement.

9. The last section of your outline should be the citation. It is a list of resources that you have used in your essay.

Students who prefer making an outline before starting to work find the writing easier to do. An essay outline is a way of organizing your ideas for your essay to flow systematically. It gives you an overview of how each paragraph should go. As a result, you will get the essay more structured. But if you find it hard, just follow the given ways on how to write an essay outline.

You should always remember about specific thesis statements recommendations. Truth is, you must master your writing skills. If you need guidance, simply find a tutorial or keep reading for a general overview. You can make it happen! You need to first get a general perspective on its main function. Your statements should always:

• State the subject of your respective essay
• State the main claim and or point
• Since you will be arguing, you must examine details
• Point out the main reasons that will deliver proper support
• State subcategories or divisions, if you have this point clear, everything will be organized.

Some examples will help you avoid problems. You can browse online to find samples. In addition, look at some thesis statements of the 3 types: expository, augmentative and analytical. Don’t forget to expand your vocabulary as well. Try to ask for professional guidance to get proper feedback. 

Common Problems

After looking through the below common list of mistakes you will be ready to write the best thesis statements ever. 

• Some fail to believe statements are like making assertions. This is wrong; it is all about an empty observation. For example, instead of claiming industrial emissions tend to contribute to unfortunate global warming, you can refer to the factors that actually lead to such matter. 
• A thesis statement must be specific and narrow. Many people fail to understand this point.
• Don’t miss out any step.
• Statements must exceed essay scopes. This is not a difficult task. 
• Most statements should not be wordy. They must be summarized at least in the introduction. You can later develop everything in subsequent paragraphs.

Remember 

Each thesis statement should go straight to the point. Forget about unrelated points. Don’t rush onto its development. You must get enough data to get going. If you want to write a good paper, don’t forget to follow a basic structure. This will help you proceed in a good way. If you have no clue, look for samples and forget about boring writing experiences. You can unleash your inner potential without a single issue. If you’ve been struggling to draw a good thesis outline, don’t worry. Take a deep breath and begin to practice.

When you turn back your head to the past, you will realize, your writing skills have certainly improved. Don’t give up! You can make it happen. Don’t forget to put the above hints into practice. Before you know it, you will be delivering magnificent papers. You don’t need to guess, you simply need to expand your knowledge. By learning from mistakes, you will venture onto error free writing time. This may sound difficult but it is not complicated at all.

Are you willing to invest time on mastering your thesis writing skills? Do you think writing a thesis is hard? Have you been stuck due to thesis writing assignments? We are looking forward to hearing from your own perspective. Share comments today.

Finding the right techniques while studying can save time and make sure that the information is being absorbed, learned, and understood. One of the most effective studying techniques is taking part in a study group. Whether you are taking part in study groups that are led by an instructor, or informal study groups, there are a number of benefits that can be experienced. The following are a few positives to choosing to study with a group. 

The Ability to Have Questions Answered

When it comes to an instructor led environment in the classroom, there may not be time for questions to be addressed during the lecture. Students that have decided to take part in a study group can have their questions addressed and answered. The best part about this is the fact that peers and students will often answer questions differently than a teacher, providing the opportunity to easier understand the concepts that are being taught. 

Encouragement to Learn the Material

Finding the time to study is easier than finding the motivation. Many students become easily distracted and are unable to focus on the task at hand. Working with a study group is going to encourage you to study with the group, go over the material so something can be added to the group discussion, and so that you can help others in the group to clarify any of the teaching points that they don't understand. Studying as part of a group is a big motivator to learn and understand the material that is being presented in class. 

Recalling the Material Being Learned

Repetition is an important part of learning. We must take in the information through different channels like reading, listening to it, talking about it and writing it down in order to fully absorb and understand the material that is being presented. Taking part in a study group encourages repetition as you are talking about the lessons being presented with the group, taking additional notes, and even explaining to others in the group about any of the concepts that they don't understand. The study group can reduce the time spent studying on your own - and can often be more of an effective way to learn the material and further the education.

Developing Peer Relationships

Studying as part of a group is a great way to make friends with people in the same class. The peer relationships can come in handy when you missed a class and need to go over the material that was learned or are simply looking for motivation when it comes time to study for the final exams or tests. The peer relationships are an important part of the education and can become a valuable learning tool. 

The Ability to Ask the Instructor/Assistant Questions

In groups that are designed for study assistance led by the instructor or an assistant, you are able to ask questions about the material, get a clear answer, and even learn more about the information that is going to be covered on the final exam. This valuable tool can help to develop the relationship between the student and the teacher and is a great way to get more from the class that is being taken. 

There are various avenues that can be used to find a study group. You can inquire to the teacher whether there are any formal study groups scheduled, or create one with other students by stimulating interest in the class. Often a group will come together and become friends with one another, creating even more support surrounding the education and increasing the chances that they are going to excel within the class or the program.

Ryan Ayers writes and creates articles in the field of education. This article was written to explain the benefits of a study group and the encourage further study in this area with a Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction.

From an early age, children are taught that education is important. This is a correct statement because the importance of education will never falter. To succeed in any aspect of life, having some form of education on any given subject is not optional, but necessary. 

Education: The First Encounter

When most people hear the word education, the first thought that they have is usually about going to school. Yes, most education that happens on a large scale happens at a school, but that is not all. From the very beginning of life, the first education that babies get is taught to them by their mothers. A mother is the first teacher because she teaches the first skills that are needed to survive. Most people, even mothers, do not realise this but it is very important. This type of first hand education continues on until the child is old enough to attend school.

Learning The Basic Skills

In most places around the world, children first attend school around age 5. This is where the formal education, like math skills and reading comprehension, begin but that is not all that is learned. Children who attend school throughout the years are not only learning academics, but social skills as well. Interacting with their peer group on a regular basis educates them on personal relations. These interpersonal skills are important for lifelong progression because people are everywhere. Some studies suggest that the ones who have good people skills find it easier to progress through life.

As children grow into teenagers, their high school education helps to pinpoint certain areas of study and prepare the student for a college education. It is a known fact that going to college and getting a formal college education is an extremely good way to get prepared for a successful future. While it is true that some people may make it through life and be successful without going to college, that sort of success story is not as popular as we are lead to believe.

The School Of Life

However, even if they did not attend college that does not mean that they are uneducated. Self-taught education is a very real education that can be gained through personal research and avid reading. While the ones who teach themselves do not have the necessary credentials to prove what they know, in many cases practical application of lessons learned will speak for themselves. 

Any discussion on education would not be complete without mentioning the one school that everyone who has lived has attended. That would be the School of Life. The lessons we learn every day can usually be applied to many different situations and learning of other people's mistakes can help prevent us from having undesired outcomes.

Only a fool would argue that education is not important. On the contrary, getting educated might be the most important thing that can be done in life. How you take advantage and apply your education is up to you.

Gloria Haynes is a retired English teacher, who taught at Albany High School for 30 years. She now spends her days writing for her local newspaper and gardening with her grandchildren. 

One of the most important things that children learn when they are in their late elementary and junior high school years, perfecting it during high school, is how to write a good persuasive essay. It can also be one of the most challenging. How does one write an essay that not only does its job— effectively expressing the views that it was meant to — but also captures the reader’s attention and makes him or her want to come back for more? That is the purpose of this article, which will outline five aspects of an intriguing essay.

1. The depth of the topic

In a well-written essay the topic should be carefully chosen—it should not be too general to allow for elaboration nor too restricted that there is not much that can be said about it. For example, if the topic is firefighting, you should not choose a general statement like “Firefighting is an interesting job,” but rather a more limited one like “Firefighting requires tremendous strength and endurance.”

2. Good grammar and vocabulary

In everyday speech we often make grammatical errors of various sorts, such as don’t for doesn’t, double negatives, inappropriate forms of pronouns and so forth. All of these errors are to be shunned like the plague when you write an essay; they are marks of poor, effortless thinking. The tone of your essay should always be such that you sound as though you have put a great deal of thought into deciding not only what to say but how to say it.

The vocabulary that you use is every bit as important as your grammar. Do not attempt to show off by using too many difficult words. 

3. Structure and format

Every good essay needs to have structure to it. There should be:

• an introduction in which you state clearly what you are going to try and prove in your work. Your thesis statement should be given here.

• a main body in which you set out to explain in detail why you think the way you do. If necessary you should also refute any arguments that seem to contradict your views.

• a conclusion in which you sum up what you have been discussing and attempt to go beyond it. In this section you can also include quotes and proverbs, which really have a way of giving the conclusion a kind of "style."

The structure of your paragraphs should be as formal as that of the paper itself. No paragraph should appear to “begin nowhere and end nowhere.” Instead, each paragraph should either begin with a topic sentence that states its purpose or end with a clincher sentence that does the same. Optionally you may include both.

4. Flow

When we talk about the "flow" of an essay, what we mean is how well each of the paragraphs seems to follow naturally from the one that comes immediately before it and to lead into the one that comes immediately after it. There should not be any suggestion of abruptness anywhere. For that reason you should have your points organized before you begin to do the actual writing itself. First jot them all down, one by one, on a piece of paper. Next, arrange them in an order that makes sense according to what you are writing about. All the while keep the title of your essay in mind - everything else that you do with regard to the assignment should revolve around it.

5. The effectiveness of your argumentation

The final aspect of an intriguing essay is how well you argue your points. It is never enough simply to say, "This way of thinking of or doing things is bad or inferior" - you have to give concrete, specific examples in support of your point and make sure that they can be verified.

An intriguing essay will not only bring you good grades. It can also serve as your ticket to success in higher education and maybe even at finding a job- for the best essay writers are well paid, sometimes $100 or more for one project. 

Joe Johnson is a writing habit researcher and avid blogger who shares his knowledge on a number of publications on a range of topics from: writing formats, researching, study habits, and student behavior. Click here to learn more about available MBA programs and new essay formatting techniques.

Who said teachers could not bring an entire new teaching plan? According to many studies, students are more receptive to alternative teaching methods. Who doesn’t enjoy an interesting movie? There are plenty of good movies out there. Many experts are encouraging educators of our new era to expand their methodologies. Benefits are plenty!

Movies and Cinema influences are not new. The best option is to find suitable and unique approaches. Visual impact of specific movies can change it all around. In case you did not know, there are grandiose movies to select from. Keep reading to make a wise choice:

1. Super Size Me

Many call it propaganda. While critics vary, this documentary can open every student’s eyes. Students will be able to debate and share their own opinion. This is fabulous to open up debates. 

2. The Cove

This documentary was awarded with Oscar. It is a powerful production due to its details and approach. 

3. Bowling for Columbine

This outstanding production is a must see. Sad for many, it displays reality in a magnificent and realistic way. Michael Moore doesn’t leave any detail aside. It is highly recommended since it is easy to understand and it is among the top documentary films ever! Moore brings a unique style with extensive analysis. 

4. The Wire

This is not a documentary but David Simpsons brings a fantastic outline. 

5. An Inconvenient Truth

This movie is related to Al Gore’s reforms, it is a global-warming oriented film. Students will be able to understand highlights linked to standpoints and a difference that array due to many ideas. 

6. Generation Kill

While this is not exactly a documentary, it is close to a documentary style movie. It focuses on the 1st forty days in the unfortunate Iraq War. 

7. Spellbound

This movie focuses on a spelling bee. This is an intriguing film without a doubt.

8. Hoop Dreams

This film is necessary! Students will find it enriching and enlightening. It is a must see documentary which focuses on 2 young men goals that are from Chicago and want to reach the fantastic NBA. 

9. Fahrenheit 9/11

While there is a lot of publicity and propaganda attached to this movie, it is highly recommended. 

10. This Is It

Michael Jackson left a lot of knowledge to everyone. It is a magnificent approach to understand a tough business, goals and a different vision.

As you can tell, the list is rich in content. Movies can change everything in a single minute. They can be heartwarming or even create uncertainty. Media solutions are out and about. Why not taking advantage of fantastic productions brought by unique figures? There is not much analysis to put onto it. The best is at your hands. The more you look, the better it is. Choose one of the above educational movies and get going. This can only bring benefits.

Do you like to watch movies? What if your teacher starts featuring specific movies on a weekly basis? Do you believe on the power of films? Do you enjoy watching documentaries? Share your own perspective today.

College is one of the most stressful times for anybody. You have to deal with all the drama, the constant partying, and of course, the endless piles of work that you never seem to get through. The stress can break some people which is why learning to manage stress in college is critical. 

In this article we are going to take a little look at some of the best ways to manage stress in college. Follow just a few of these and you will really start to feel ‘in control’ of yourself and on top of your work, which in the end should leave you more time for partying! Life is good again.

1. Sleep

Perhaps the biggest tip we can offer is to actually get some sleep in college. Students are notorious for not sleeping enough. You should aim to get at least eight and a half hours a night. Sounds impossible, and while it’s not easy, it is important. Sleeping allows our bodies to recharge and feel ‘fresh’. When we wake up, we will feel much less stressed about the world around us, and that is a good thing! For you and everyone around you.

2. Take a Break

Your professors may not tell you this, but in order to manage stress, you need to take a break from your work. If you’ve ever locked yourself away in your dorm, studying for days, you know what ‘cabin fever’ is and how constant work can stress you out. Every so often you’ve got to take a mental break and chill. Go out. Work out. Swim laps. Watch mindless TV. Whatever. The next day (After enough sleep!) you can get back down to business with a clear noggin. 

3. Get Help

Get help from people. This includes your professors, RA’s and your friends. Don’t be afraid of using the student health services if you need to. If you are feeling crushed under a lot of pressure then talk to people. Your friends are especially great for coming up with plans to reduce those stress levels. Maybe a study party will help. Sometimes working and studying in a group is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Everyone is under similar pressure and feeling like you’re not alone is important.

4. Exercise

Exercise is also fabulous for relieving stress. Hit the gym, the pool, the heavy bag… or just walk around! Fresh air is good and exercise releases endorphins into our body, and your body absolutely loves endorphins! They help us feel great about ourselves, and as a result, stress levels drop. It really is that simple.

5. Eat Healthy

Finally, eat healthy foods. The majority of students are packing their diets with carbs and sugars, which contribute to higher stress levels. Add more fruit and vegetables to your diet and ease off on the fast food.

Hopefully a couple of these tips are going to help you manage stress levels at college. Remember, you are not alone. College can be a stressful time, but you can learn to manage and control it. 

Studentrenter.com is a listing service for College students to find off campus student housing. In addition to loads of listings, they provide a popular blog on issues related to all aspects of college life. You will also find student discounts on everything from travel to textbooks. Yippeekayay!

Studying can be fun only if one knows how to make it less stressful. Luckily, there are many ways how to make studying more enjoyable. While it is not unusual to find a lot of students who dread studying time, there are many easy ways that help boost one’s interest for studying. Check out the following tips:

1. Listen to your favorite classical music.

Be careful in choosing the kind of music to listen to while you are studying. Do not choose the ones that have lyrics on them or else you will be tempted to sing along with it all night instead of focusing on your studies. Try some Mozart classical collection or any other music that helps boost your concentration as well as your retention skills. When you feel like you are starting to become sleepy, try to switch to an upbeat tune for a few minutes but get back to classical music once you resume to your studying time. 

2. Prepare some healthy snacks for you to nibble all through the night.

Please note that you need to have healthy snacks especially during these times when your brain has to perform several cognitive functions. Prepare a bowl of blueberries, dried nuts or some bananas. Avoid eating junk foods which contain too much salt, sugar or any other preservatives. These unhealthy foods will only contribute to chemical imbalance in the brain thereby giving you headaches and other symptoms of anxiety and stress. 

3. Clean up all the mess first.

Once you have come up with your regular schedule for studying make sure that you clean your study area first before starting to open up your books. A clutter-free area will greatly reduce much of the stress that you experience from studying. 

4. Find all ways to feel comfortable while studying.

Avoid studying in an area where there is poor lighting and ventilation. You also need to check whether your chair and desk feel comfortable to prevent you from having backaches as you sit there all night. You also have to set the room temperature to something that is not too cold or too warm. The room temperature will greatly impact your mood for studying. Too much cold will send you earlier to bed leaving plenty of topics uncovered and very warm room temperature will make you sweat and lose your enthusiasm for studying.

5. Get your body moving.

As you spend many nights studying for that big exam, your body will also thirst for some exercise. Exercise not only boosts proper circulation of blood to your entire body. It will also reduce your stress levels because exercising will help enhance the production of feel-good hormones making you feel better and well-conditioned for another night of studying. 

6. Organize your schedule.

Some students are just too busy to have time for studying. While this sounds too counterproductive for them, juggling between too many extracurricular activities in school can put your grades at risk. This is when you have to come up with a daily schedule to enable you to manage your time well. An organized schedule will give you enough time to do everything without leaving your priorities behind. It is also through having an organized daily schedule that you will be able to set regular study time and be able to avoid last-minute preparations for the exam. 

7. Avoid spending too many all-nighters.

It is alright to spend some sleepless nights for studying. However, this should only be done on rare occasions otherwise you are at risk of suffering from the ill effects of sleep deprivation. Depriving yourself of enough time for sleeping can adversely impact your memory and retention skills. Remember that your brain will be able to function at its best once you see to it that you always have enough sleep at night. 

Follow the above mentioned tips for studying and you will find yourself staying on the right track towards academic success. However, avoid obsessing yourself with too high academic achievements. Always remember to set realistic goals and find ways to cope with your failures as you learn from them. Enjoy your studies and enjoy a brighter future ahead of you. 

Ryan Rivera sued to suffer from panic attacks for seven years. He now dedicates his life helping those who suffer from stress, anxiety, panic attacks and depression through his writings. You can read more of his articles at Calm Clinic. 

When time comes to apply for admission to college, many high school students are looking for ways to stand out. While college admission boards will pay a significant amount of attention to things like grades and SAT or ACT scores, the application itself is also a factor. Many of the common tips and guides can help students to create a standard application, but they won't help students stand out and get noticed in a positive light. To play to their strengths, aspiring college students should use these five helpful tips to craft a more unique and effective college application.

1. Use Conversational Language

One of the most common mistakes for college applicants is writing too formally. Although it may be tempting to use an impressive vocabulary, it can actually be a disadvantage if the definitions are not appropriate in a certain context or the phrasing sounds unnatural. Whenever possible, students should write just as they would speak. While grammar and spelling are important, keep the application conversational.

2. Supplement the Application With Digital Media Files

With today's technology, it can be difficult to summarize a person's skills and talents in a single application or sheet of paper. Anyone who has skills in an alternative medium should be sure to include that with their application. Students will make a real impression if they send in a DVD of their recent band performance, their poetry written aloud or even digital images of recent paintings. 

3. Capture a Specific Moment With Exceptional Detail

Many students try to fit as much as possible about their life and their talents into an admission essay for a college application. While this can be effective, it won't help the student to stand out from the crowd. An alternative approach is to write about a specific moment in time. This could be anything from the shock of diving into cool water at a recent swimming competition or the moment when a student realized they wanted to become a doctor. Capture all the minute details that go into creating a vivid moment that an admissions board will remember. 

4. Include a Link To a Personal Website

A refreshing and unique way to stand out with a college application is to include a link to a personal website. By creating a website that details achievements, students can present their case for admission in a novel and creative way. This also demonstrates technological skills and website design, which will further impress the college. 

5. Write From the Future

Most applicants write in the past tense for their essay, detailing what has been done over their lifetime. For a different approach, try writing from the future. Create an essay that details what has been done over the past 20 years thanks to a college education from the institution where you are applying. 

Each of these five unique approaches can help students to really stand out when writing a college application. By creating something unique, students will have a better chance of making a great impression on the college admission board.

Jason Stein knows the ins and outs of admissions essays! As an applicant tracking system developer, he is sure to always be updated on the latest college application trends and university’s demands of their potential applicants. When not at work, Jason can be found riding his bike down roads less travelled, spending time with his wife and kids, and eating pizza. 

Planning on going to college? You will need to take one of the college board tests. The ACT has been the standard college placement test in the Midwestern part of the country. However, the number of students taking this test is expanding. Since almost all colleges accept both the SAT and ACT tests, many students outside of the Midwest are opting for the ACT. If you are thinking about taking the ACT, you will need some basic tips and strategies for approaching the ACT questions. The ACT test has four standard sections. These are English, Math, Reading and Science. There is also an optional writing section which most students take. 

General Tips

1. Practice. Practice. Practice. Use practice tests to make test taking almost habitual.

2. Make sure you are familiar with all the directions before the test. You do not want any surprises on test day.

3. Do not skip questions. There is no penalty for a wrong answer so random guessing can only help.

Tips for the English Section

1. This section is composed of a number of passages that simulate actual student writing. You will be asked to revise underlined parts of the passage and to answer general questions about the overall organization and structure of the passage.

2. Use your ear. If something sounds wrong, it probably is.

3. Be aware of the context of the passage. Sometimes things that seem wrong are correct because of the context. Pay special attention to shifts in verb tense throughout the passage in this regard.

4. After you pick your answer choice, re-read the passage with your choice inserted to make sure it sounds correct.

Tips for the Math Section

1. For math problems with variables, pick some logical values for these variables and substitute these in the problem. For example, if the problem asks about what happens when an odd number and an even number are multiplied, pick one odd and one even number and multiply them. This way you can see whether the result is odd or even.

2. For problems which ask for the solution to an equation, you can plug the answer choices back into the original equation and see which one solves it.

3. Problems are designed to test conceptual knowledge and not computational speed. If you find yourself getting involved in difficult and intricate computations, then you probably missed a key insight. You should backtrack and try to find what you are missing. 

Tips for the Reading Section

1. This section tests your reading comprehension. You will be given a series of passages and asked to answer questions about the content, structure and details of the passage. Passages are fiction and non-fiction based on the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities.

2. Underline key nouns and verbs. You can also write brief summaries of each paragraph in the margins.

3. Try to answer each question on your own before looking at the answer choices. Then you can compare your own answer to the answers provided.

Tips for the Science Section

1. The science section tests your ability to engage in scientific reasoning.

2. The key is to understand the graphs and charts of data. You will not need to fully understand the scientific concepts if you can reason through the results.

3. These passages will often give more information than is needed to answer the question. Try to find this extra information and eliminate it from consideration.

Tips for the Writing Section

1. The prompt is open ended has no right answer. The important thing is to state your key thesis clearly and provide support for this thesis.

2. Make sure you write at least four paragraphs: an introduction, at least two body paragraphs and a conclusion.

3. Your body paragraphs need clear and focused topic sentences that support the thesis of the essay. The sentences of the paragraph should support the topic sentence. 

4. Practice writing these essays often

With some practice and the proper strategies, you can do well on the ACT test. Good Luck!

Larry Lembcke is an educational blogger and fitness consultant. He shares fitness tips and educational material for everyday people. His work has been featured on online.king.edu.