Sunday 24 November 2013

Grammar And Citation

By Franklin Skribbit


One of the most challenging tasks for students of any discipline is to write a term paper or other important form of paper when it is assigned with a seemingly far off due date.

Laptop vs. Pen & Paper

One reason why this ease with deadlines and difficulty with long term projects might be is because a paper or term paper that is due in a relatively short amount of time gives the student a structure to work from by which they can organize their efforts and produce a quality paper.

When using a laptop, research various applications and programs which may assist you in your note taking. Programs like Evernote provide easy, instant access to your information regardless of whether you are viewing it from a phone, tablet, or computer. You can also scan your handwritten notes in for digital storage if you so prefer.

When you are working on citations, refer back frequently to your handbook to make sure you are using the correct format and style for citing. Your citations in-text and in the bibliography are important and even missing a simple thing like a period can cause you to miss points if your professor is feeling particularly pernicious. Be detailed in your study of the citation style noting things like line spacing, margins, page numbering, and font size.

The first thing that a student can do to make sure that they can complete their term papers in a timely manner and to work on them throughout the semester rather than the week before the paper is due is to take the time to organize and plan. Organizing a paper, at least at this step, is not so much about content as it is about rationing out the work and coming up with a general outline for the paper.

Outlining itself is another way for a student to help themselves to stay on task with their term papers throughout the semester. After the general organization of the paper is complete, a student can focus on the specific outline for the paper.

Effective note taking requires some preparation. If you haven't done the homework or the previous night's reading assignment, understanding your professor becomes much harder. Familiarize yourself with the material and arrive a few minutes early to class so that you can review the material again before class begins. Also, remove or turn off distractions like your phone and the internet so that you can focus on what is being taught.

By breaking up the paper with an outline containing specific sections, a student can write out a schedule as to when they will write each section or broken down piece of the paper. For example, a page or so may be dedicated to a specific point that can be written one week with another part of the paper written the next week.

Regardless of your note taking style here are some things you want to make sure you don't miss. Obviously if your instructor says, 'this will be on the test,' write it down. If the professor repeats himself and more importantly if he slows his repetition down so that it can be taken word for word, you want to capture that information. On the flip side, if he speaks faster, louder, or with added emphasis, pay attention. When they write on the board or use a power point, snag that too, and if possible, get a copy of the power point. And lastly, take note of any material where a relationship between ideas is expressed by using words like 'however,' 'most importantly,' or 'first, second, third.' As you work to perfect your note taking style, it will become easier for you to focus and prepare clear notes that you can study later. Whether you're pursuing a business administration degree in National City, or simply taking a single continuing education course, you will find this skill to be most valuable in helping you succeed.




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