OUTLINE
OUTLINE
When a writer
paraphrases a section from a source (for instance, when a student paraphrases a few sentences from a newspaper article
to use in his research paper), what he is actually doing is turning the original text into his own words. He's not adding his
own opinion, and he's not using the original wording: he's "translating" the original text into his own language, to flow better
with his own writing.
A paraphrase is an accurate, thorough restatement of the original text in your own words. It will actually be about as long
as the original work, and it will most certainly retain all of the original ideas. Paraphrases, when they appear within a paper,
must be cited, because they are the author's ideas that come from the original work, not your own ideas.
When to Paraphrase:
• When the ideas are more important than the author's authority or style
• When the original language isn't particularly memorable, but the ideas are
• When the original language is too difficult to understand (for instance, when the particular jargon or complexity of
the original work is so difficult to understand that you need to paraphrase it so that the meaning is immediately
clear)
Examples of Paraphrasing
Here is the original source an author might use in a paper:
Differentiation as an instructional approach promotes a balance between a student's style and a student's ability.
Differentiated instruction provides the student with options for processing and internalizing the content, and for
constructing new learning in order to progress academically.
Here is an example of bad paraphrasing of the source. Even though the student is citing correctly, underlined words are
simply synonyms of words used in the original source. You can also see how the sentence structure is the same for both
the original source and this paraphrase.
Differentiation is a way to encourage equality between the approach and talent of the student (Thompson, 2009).
This type of instruction gives students different ways to deal with and grasp information, and for establishing new
learning to move on in education (Thompson, 2009).
Here is an example of a better way to paraphrase the source. In this example, the author has taken the essential ideas and
information from the original source, but has worded it in her own way, using unique word choice and sentence structure.
The author has condensed Thompson's (2009) information, including what is relevant to her paper, but leaving out extra
details that she does not need.
Teachers use differentiated instruction to help students learn, allowing the teacher to cater lessons to the way each
student learns and each student's skill (Thompson, 2009).
Avoiding plagiarism when you paraphrase
• When paraphrasing, you have to be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism.
• This can happen if the paraphrase is too similar to the original quote, with phrases or whole sentences that are
identical (and should therefore be in quotation marks). It can also happen if you fail to properly cite the source.
• Paraphrasing tools are widely used by students, and can be especially useful for non-native speakers who may find
academic writing particularly challenging. While these can be helpful for a bit of extra inspiration, use these tools
sparingly, keeping academic integrity in mind.
• To make sure you’ve properly paraphrased and cited all your sources, you could elect to run a plagiarism check
before submitting your paper. And of course, always be sure to read your source material yourself and take the first
stab at paraphrasing on your own.
Quotations/Quoting
Quotations are exact representations of a source, which can either be a written one or spoken words. Quotes imbue writing
with an authoritative tone and can provide reliable and strong evidence. However, quoting should be employed sparingly to
support and not replace one’s writing.
How Do You Quote?
1. Ensure that direct quotes are provided within quotation marks and properly cited
2. A Long quote of three or more lines can be set-off as a blockquote (this often has more impact)
3. Short quotes usually flow better when integrated within a sentence
When to Quote Instead of Paraphrase:
• When the wording of the original is memorable or vivid and you can't re-write it to sound any better
• When the exact words of an authority would lend support to your own ideas
• When you want to draw attention to the author's opinion
Likewise, our heavenly Father takes special care to protect us from dangers we cannot foresee. Sometimes we are not even
aware of His guarding hand, and at other times, His care is evident in unusual ways. Therefore, we can “trust in the Lord”.
The hymn writer John Sammis wrote “He daily spread a bounteous feast and at His table dine the whole creation, man and
beast , and He’s a friend of mine”. Our loving God, who takes care of the sparrows and robins, will most surely protect and
provide for His own children. No wonder Jesus said, “Do not fear.” The trust in God is the perfect cure of fear.
Outlining is one of the reading strategies because... Sentence Outline is an outline composed of sentences.
an outline organizes materials hierarchically and Sentence outlines go into the little details of the paper and
sequentially by classifying the main topics, subtopics and are particularly useful when the topic is complex in nature.
the supporting details. All headings and sub-headings must be in sentence form.
There are two types of outline, and these are: It is the type of an outline typically used to plan the
1. Topic Outline and; composition of books, stories and essays.
2. Sentence Outline
Note:
Topic Outline is a list of words or phrases. It arranges the ➢ Roman Numeral (I, II, III) indicates the start of a
ideas hierarchically (showing which are main and which new paragraph. I is the first sentence of the
are sub points) in the sequence one wants and shows introduction. II. Is the first paragraph of the body,
what one will talk about. Topic outlines help a writer see a III is the first sentence in the second paragraph
larger structure through a series of short ideas. This type and so on.
of outline is particularly helpful when writing about a ➢ Capital Letter (A, B, C…) indicates a main point
variety of ideas or issues that could be ordered in any within the structure of the paragraph
number of ways. ➢ Arabic Numeral (1,2,3…) indicates a sentence for
each main point
In making a topic outline, remember:
➢ Recall all the headings and subheadings must be Basic Pattern
words or phrases not sentences. First main point
➢ The wording within each division must be parallel. A. First Sub-point under I
➢ Remember that a division or subdivision cannot B. Second Sub-point
be divided into one part; therefore, if there is an 1. Sup-point B has its own sub-points
“A”, there must be a “B” and if there is a “1”, there Second main point
must be “2”. A. First Sub-point under II