What's new

Writing 101

Phil

New member
Below, I have created an example outline to help explain and demonstrate effective writing. Usually, the most difficult part of writing is figuring out what to write about. In most cases for high school and college settings, teachers and instructors usually assign the topics as well as what supportive information they wish to see. However, there will likely be times when one has to write about something that might not be so interesting to the writer (e.g., politics). Usually, the instructor or teacher would be willing to authorize a little creative license for the writer to steer off of the beaten path. The instructor, at the end of the day, just wants to see if the student has researched the material and if the student is able to articulate what he or she has learned. So, the important steps here are the following:
1. Identify how the writer wishes to alternate the topic
Example: History.
How to make it interesting: Write about specific events that had happened from that given time period based on the present date. For instance, for the first week of July or shortly thereafter, my essay or discussion topic would have included details about Independence Day.
2. Ask the teacher or instructor by explaining the plan.
3. Create an outline and write a section (usually just one page) if he or she ask for it beforehand. Once the instructor/teacher sees the student is serious, future creative licenses will most likely come much easier.

Typical Essay How-to:
Identify the main topic

Research the topic

List the resources that support the topic (can also use for rough draft of bibliography)

Create an outline

Main title: How to go Camping

Introduction: The great outdoors is full of history, adventure and wildlife. From the great plains of Arizona to the hills of Tennessee, (etc.)….

Thesis: Even though camping may require having to travel outside of the city limits (strongest counter argument), camping can be a great, unforgettable experience because bringing the right things (heading 1), making a good plan (heading 2), and knowing where to go (heading 3) provide the best camping adventures.

Heading #1: What to Bring

Supportive Paragraph #1: Hygiene items, maps, etc.

Supportive Paragraph #2: Clothing items

Supportive Paragraph #3: Food items

Heading #2: Equipment Selection

Supportive Paragraph #1: How to select a tent

Supportive Paragraph #2: How to select a sleeping bag

Supportive Paragraph #3: How to select & use cooking items

Heading #3: Where to go Camping

Supportive Paragraph #1: Pros and cons of camp sites in Arizona

Supportive Paragraph #2: Pros and cons of camp sites in Oregon

Supportive Paragraph #3: Pros and cons of camp sited in Tennessee

Conclusion: Happy Campers

Brief review of heading #1: Planning

Brief review of heading #2: Preparation

Brief review of heading #3: Camping options

Results or findings: The benefits of going camping

Closing statement: The great outdoors is calling… Go find adventure!

((page break))

Resources

Smith, Arron K. (2016). Retrieved from: http://ABCsofCamping.com/Camping101

Tyrannosaurus, Rex (2018). Retrieved from: www.DinosaursLikeCamping2.com

Ulysses, Victor (2017). Camping outside of the city limits (3rd ed.). New York, New York: Tracy Publishing.
---------------------------------------

Yours in writing,

Phil.

Editing notes: Bolded headings, adding title to closing section. Indenting for supportive paragraphs necessary.
 
Last edited:

MichelleSP

New member
As someone who wants to improve their writing, this reminder of the basics was very helpful! Sometimes we need to go back to the beginning to really hone our craft. Are you an English teacher?
 

Phil

New member
As someone who wants to improve their writing, this reminder of the basics was very helpful! Sometimes we need to go back to the beginning to really hone our craft. Are you an English teacher?
Michelle, I am not an English teacher but I do want to apply to a few universities so that I can teach, though. I am very thankful to God who granted me with the ability to learn APA when I was in my associates degree plan several years ago. Now, I see it as a way to help others. I am glad you liked my post. The most important concept about APA Style that I had to learn that, in deed, the doctrine is a style. In other words, I believe that if one applies every rule as much as possible, the result of writing would be rather robotic. Furthermore, even the most experienced writers that I know or or have read their work do not comply to every facet of APA. Beyond this, the listener or reader will never perfectly understand the writer's exact point. However, my goal is to encourage the desire of effective communication so that the writer still has a voice, the reader still mostly understands the reader and they meet somewhere in the middle.

Let chivalry not be absent from our writing or in every-day life.

Yours,

Phil
 

waldemar

Member
Below, I have created an example outline to help explain and demonstrate effective writing. Usually, the most difficult part of writing is figuring out what to write about. In most cases for high school and college settings, teachers and instructors usually assign the topics as well as what supportive information they wish to see. However, there will likely be times when one has to write about something that might not be so interesting to the writer (e.g., politics). Usually, the instructor or teacher would be willing to authorize a little creative license for the writer to steer off of the beaten path. The instructor, at the end of the day, just wants to see if the student has researched the material and if the student is able to articulate what he or she has learned. So, the important steps here are the following:
1. Identify how the writer wishes to alternate the topic
Example: History.
How to make it interesting: Write about specific events that had happened from that given time period based on the present date. For instance, for the first week of July or shortly thereafter, my essay or discussion topic would have included details about Independence Day.
2. Ask the teacher or instructor by explaining the plan.
3. Create an outline and write a section (usually just one page) if he or she ask for it beforehand. Once the instructor/teacher sees the student is serious, future creative licenses will most likely come much easier.

Typical Essay How-to:
Identify the main topic

Research the topic

List the resources that support the topic (can also use for rough draft of bibliography)

Create an outline

Main title: How to go Camping

Introduction: The great outdoors is full of history, adventure and wildlife. From the great plains of Arizona to the hills of Tennessee, (etc.)….

Thesis: Even though camping may require having to travel outside of the city limits (strongest counter argument), camping can be a great, unforgettable experience because bringing the right things (heading 1), making a good plan (heading 2), and knowing where to go (heading 3) provide the best camping adventures.

Heading #1: What to Bring

Supportive Paragraph #1: Hygiene items, maps, etc.

Supportive Paragraph #2: Clothing items

Supportive Paragraph #3: Food items

Heading #2: Equipment Selection

Supportive Paragraph #1: How to select a tent

Supportive Paragraph #2: How to select a sleeping bag

Supportive Paragraph #3: How to select & use cooking items

Heading #3: Where to go Camping

Supportive Paragraph #1: Pros and cons of camp sites in Arizona

Supportive Paragraph #2: Pros and cons of camp sites in Oregon

Supportive Paragraph #3: Pros and cons of camp sited in Tennessee

Conclusion

Brief review of heading #1: Planning

Brief review of heading #2: Preparation

Brief review of heading #3: Camping options

Results or findings: The benefits of going camping

Closing statement: The great outdoors is calling… Go find adventure!

((page break))

Resources



Smith, Arron K. (2016). Retrieved from: http://ABCsofCamping.com/Camping101



Tyrannosaurus, Rex (2018). Retrieved from: www.DinosaursLikeCamping2.com



Ulysses, Victor (2017). Camping outside of the city limits (3rd ed.). New York, New York: Tracy Publishing.
---------------------------------------

Yours in writing,

Phil.
These are great information regarding the basics of writing. Thanks for these. Anyway from what country are you Phil?
 

waldemar

Member
Thank you for the compliment, Waldemar. I am in United States. How about you?
Hi Phil, I am from the Philippines. Great job on posting those high-quality infos about writing keep them coming so that beginners like us could learn more. :)
 

Top