PLANNING YOUR WRITING Diane Labut

CHOOSE YOUR TOPICMake sure it is specific to class purposeGet approval from teacherNarrow topicBiggest mistake is too broadMakes for very scattered paperMakes promises you cannot keep

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Outlines and

Mind Maps help

organize thoughts

BEFORE WRITING YOUR TOPIC

Outline1. Thesis Statement (paragraph

one)a. Supporting Detail One (paragraph

two)1) Back up material (paragraph three)2) Back up material (paragraph four)

b. Supporting Detail Two (paragraph five)

1) Back up material (paragraph six)2) Back up material (paragraph seven)

What are the guidelines?What type?InformationalPersuasiveCritique

Length of paperHow much should you write?How can I plan for length?

Know Paragraph Layouts Purdue Owl – Great Resource

It takes approximately 3 double spaced paragraphs to fill a

page in a typed report.

STEP 1: OUTLINE1. Thesis Statement (paragraph one)

a. Supporting Detail One (paragraph two)1) Back up material (paragraph three)2) Back up material (paragraph four)

b. Supporting Detail Two (paragraph five)1) Back up material (paragraph six)2) Back up material (paragraph seven)

Re-read thesis paragraph to check if a and b covered everything you told your reader you would. Add a c if required.

2. Summary (paragraph eight)

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3 (2/3)

STEP 2: LEARN TO CITE SOURCES• Did you know?

• Word (latest 2 versions) helps cite sources

• Click on References• Choose Style• Insert Citation• Add New Source• Fill in Blanks

• Using Mel.org Cites Sources