Feedback on Article
Assignment
ELI 100(3)
Fall 2001
Tyler Hawkins
Feedback on Article
Assignment
This presentation is available on the
course Web site
Outline Tips - Format
• Put a blank line in between your header
and the title
Example:
ELI 100(3)
Aki Ross
10/11/01
Using eBay to Become Fabulously Wealthy
Outline Tips - Format
• Combine all three parts, with a heading for
each section. Example:
Outline
I. Introduction
A. Background of Osama bin-Laden
Summary
In this article, the author gives a detailed explanation of the…
Critique
After reading this article, I decided that I wanted to research more...
Outline Tips - Format
• Put a MLA citation (see handout for format)
for your article at the top of the paper
Example:
Hawkins, Tyler. ”How to Get Rich Selling on
eBay." Time June 18, 2000: 38-48.
Outline Tips
• Typically, outline information is organized:
– from general to specific
– from abstract to concrete
• Your outline DOES NOT have to follow the
same order as the article
Outline Tips
• Use Roman numerals (I, II, III) for main
sections & capital letters (A, B, C) for
subtopics
• Use numbers (1, 2, 3) and small letters
(a,b,c) to give details
Outline Tips
• Use the outline structure to break down the
information and show a hierarchy
• This structure might not be EXPLICTLY
stated in your article
Outline Tips
• Using outline format will show me that you
understand what you read
• You shouldn’t have an outline item with
several sentences in it
• In your outline, if you have A - you need B
Outline Tips
• This is good information, but needs to be
reorganized
Example:
A. Osama bin Laden, who became a
militant Islamic leader was one of the
many religious fundamentalist extremist
recruited, armed and financed by the
CIA to drive Russians out of
Afghanistan.
Outline Tips
• This format shows that 1,2 & 3 are
supporting details
A. Osama bin Laden
1. Became a militant Islamic leader
2. Is a religious fundamentalist
extremist
3. Was recruited, armed and
financed by the CIA to drive
Russians out of Afghanistan.
Outline Tips
• If you are going to list something - it’s OK
to use just a few words for a heading (see
example)
• However, use full sentences for the details
• This shows me you that you understand
what you read
Outline Tips
Example:
B. Main causes of cancer
1. Family history is the main factor
2. Lifestyle is also an important
factor
Note: Some outlines require periods after
sentences, some don’t. For this
assignment, you don’t need them
Plagiarism
• What is plagiarism?
• What does this definition mean?
Plagiarism
• Do not just copy entire sentences directly
from your article
• It’s very obvious - I know the level of your
writing
Plagiarism
• VERY IMPORTANT: The details in your
outline and summary should be in your
own words.
• If you just copy the article, I don’t know that
you understood it
Plagiarism
• One thing that you CAN do is emulate
(imitate) the style of good writers
• If you see a phrase or expression that you
really like, it’s OK to try to use it in your
own writing
Plagiarism
• However, there is a fine line between using
expressions or short phrases and
plagiarism
• When in doubt, put it into your own words
Plagiarism
• Using a few words or a special term is OK.
Examples of special terms or useful phrases:
– greenhouse effect
– nuclear transfer
– reign of terror
– On the one hand…. However, on the other
hand.
– senseless attack
– appropriate military response
Plagiarism
Examples:
• OK
The author mentions that Osama binLaden is a fundamental extremist.
• Not OK
The author mentions that Osama binLaden is a fundamental extremist who was
trained and financed by the CIA.
Plagiarism
• If you want to use the exact words of the
author, use quotation marks and put the
page number.
Example:
A. Reasons for Attack
1. Osama bin-Laden wants “to destroy
the corrupt American government” (p.
183).
Plagiarism
• If you plagiarize your article in your final
draft, it will negatively affect your grade
• We will discuss plagiarism more during the
research paper project
Outline Tips
• Make sure your phrases give enough
information to the reader. Example:
I. U.S. Plans for Attacking Afghanistan
A. Bomb
B. Soldier
• A and B do not give enough information
Outline Tips
• Try this instead:
I. U.S. Plans for Attacking Afghanistan
A. Constant air strikes
B. Attacks by Special Forces
troops
• These give the reader enough information
Outline Tips
• For your outline subtopics (A, B, C) instead of asking questions, phrase it as a
sentence. It sounds more academic that
way (see example)
Outline Tips
Example:
A. How will the U.S. respond to the 9/11
attack?
Change this to:
A. Possible U.S. Responses to the 9/11
Attack
Summary Tips
• When you tell your friend about a movie
(e.g., Titanic) you give the main ideas - not
too many details or examples
• You don’t need to tell your friend EVERY
detail for them to understand the main
point of the story
Summary Tips
Example (to a friend):
• Titanic is basically a love story that takes
place on a luxury ship in the 1910’s, which
runs into an iceberg. There is a three-way
love triangle between the characters
played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
and Billy Zane. In the end, Leo’s character
saves the life of Kate’s character, but dies
in the process. ~THE END~
Summary Tips
• In a summary:
Less is MORE….
• This means that writing a lot in a summary
is not always a good thing
Summary Tips
• Make sure you are giving only the main
points that the reader needs to know
• Don’t give a lot of examples or details - just
what his needed
• Summarize the story in your own words
Summary Tips
Example (too many details for a summary):
The writer describes several ways that consumers
can help to protect the environment. For
example, recycling newspapers, cans, plastic
bottles, and glass can reduce the amount of
trash in landfills. Also, the author recommends
using smart technologies, such as energyefficient appliances and fuel-efficient automobiles
to reduce the amount of pollutants in the
atmosphere.
Summary Tips
Example (just enough details for a
summary):
The writer mentions that recycling and the
use of smart technologies (e.g., fuelefficient cars) can have a beneficial impact
on the environment.
Note: e.g. (for example) is used to efficiently
provide a needed detail
Critique Tips
• Your critique is a chance to show that you
understand what the author is saying
• Use your analytical skills to uncover the
author’s meaning - it isn’t always obvious
Critique Tips
• If you disagree with the author, give your
reasons
• Refer to specific parts of the story that you
disagree with
Critique Tips
• If you liked the article, why?
• Overall, what did you gain from reading
this article?
Critique Tips
• Mention a quote that particularly impressed
you
• State its significance
Final Thoughts
• As always, have a competent writer of
English proofread your paper
• The Writing Workshop in Kuykendahl Hall
is a good resource (make an appointment
early)
The End!