Writing Process: Outlining and Introduction

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STEP 5: OUTLINING

Outlining is the process of taking the information from your brainstorming list and organizing it so you can present it in the most logical and effective way. 

This is the fourth entry in a series concerning the writing process. You can review the full series here

Start by taking your brainstorming list and identifying ideas that go together. I like to use a numbering system, but you can also use symbols, highlighting in different colors, or whatever works best for you. The important thing to remember is that your essay should be organized based on ideas.

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Writing Process: Thesis Statement

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STEP 4: THESIS STATEMENT

A clear thesis statement is key to writing a good essay. It’s not easy, but it is necessary

This is the third entry in a series concerning the writing process. You can view the full series here.

The point I’m going to make about thesis statements is very similar to the point I made about essay topics, but this time I have some fun illustrations.

 

 

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Writing Process: Choosing Your Topic and Brainstorming

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STEP 2: CHOOSING YOUR TOPIC

The second step in writing a good essay is choosing the right topic. Your topic determines what you will write, so choose wisely

This is the second entry in a series concerning the writing process. Make sure that you read Part 1: Reading the Prompt before reviewing this article.

Choosing the right topic for your essay can be tricky. Usually, there is flexibility built into a prompt so that you have a choice of which part of the question to focus on.

 
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Writing Process: Introduction and Reading the Prompt

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Writing essays is challenging for many students. This is understandable, especially for students who have never written an essay before. It’s stressful trying to produce a longer piece of writing. 

I believe that part of the stress comes from uncertainty about how to actually write an essay. Teachers provide written instructions, but sometimes students need more. Of course, there are tutorial videos online, but I want to do something a little bit different. I want to let students watch me write a complete essay. I won’t be pre-writing the essay or outlining it in advance, so students will be able to watch my actual process. 

The video will be broken into steps and appear with written explanations, but students will also be able to view the video in its entirety in the final article of this series. I’ll be explaining what I’m doing in the video, and I have a few illustrations, but the majority of the videos will be me going through an authentic writing process.

 
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Technical ESOs for 12th Graders: Carefully Storing Sensitive Data

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At Enlightium Academy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 12th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 12th grade are expected to understand the reason for carefully storing sensitive data.

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Technical ESOs for 11th Graders: Creating Secure Passwords

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At Enlightium Academy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 11th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 11th grade are expected to understand the reason for creating secure passwords.

Passwords can be a beast. Below are some practical (and actually sort of fun) actions for you to take to stay on top of your passwords.

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Technical ESOs for 10th Graders: Understanding Malware and Antivirus

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At Enlightium Academy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 10th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 10th grade are expected to understand malware and antivirus.

Keeping your computer free from malware allows you to surf safely. Malware could be planted by hackers, terrorists, or bored individuals.

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Technical ESOs for 9th Graders: Data Organization

Technical-ESO---9th-Grade

At Enlightium Academy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 9th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 9th grade are expected to learn how about data organization.

Students should review this article with a parent.

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How Restarting Your Computer Can Help Improve Online Student Performance

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When your computer is having a problem, you've probably heard your student's teacher or tech support member tell you to “turn it off and back on again.” But why does this seemingly simple step often solve so many issues? In this blog post, we'll explore the science behind why restarting your computer can help improve your online student's performance. From frozen screens to sluggish Internet connections, being able to quickly troubleshoot and fix problems with a few clicks of the mouse could be the difference between success and failure for your child's online studies.

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Unlock the Power of Writing: An Introduction to Word Processors on Your Computer!

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Welcome to the world of word processors! A word processor is a computer program that helps you create and edit documents with ease. From class assignments to book reports to creative stories, you can use a word processor to type, save, and print all types of written documents. Whether you use Google Docs or Microsoft Word, this guide will help you unlock the power of writing on your computer!

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Understanding Operating Systems: A Guide for Parents of Online Students

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Parents of online students often have questions about the technology their children use. One important topic to understand is operating systems, as they are the foundation of every computer and device. Whether it's a PC, Chromebook, Mac, or another device, each has an operating system (OS) that helps it run and allows users to do various tasks. In this blog post, we'll explain what an operating system is and how it affects online learning. We'll also provide helpful tips on choosing the right OS for your child's needs.

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Eco-Friendly Education: How Learning from Home Can Help the Environment

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It is a blessing that we are able to follow how the Bible teaches us to take care of our land. “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess,” Deuteronomy 5:33. God does not promise to make Christians wealthy or healthy, but he does bless those who walk with him in ways that draw them nearer to him. To walk with God means to direct all things toward him, even how we steward our planet. So, when we take care of our surroundings it pleases the Lord. Even small steps can make a meaningful difference to our environment. 

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Keeping Your Brain Sharp

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Summer is a time of rest and relaxation, and for most people this means putting off most, if not all, of their academic endeavors. And while taking a mental break can be a good thing and result in renewed energy for school later, this doesn’t mean that learning has to stop. It’s easy to fall victim to laziness during the summer and cease reading and learning in every capacity.

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Technical ESOs for 8th Graders: Keeping your Computer Secure

Technical-ESO---8th-Grade

At Enlightium Academy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 8th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 8th grade are expected to learn how to keep your computer secure.

Students should review this article with a parent.

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Technical ESOs for 7th Graders: Using Social Media Wisely

Technical-ESO---7th-Grade

At Enlightium Academy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 7th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 7th grade are expected to learn how to use social media wisely.

Students should review this article with a parent.

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Technical ESOs for 6th Graders: Maintaining Christian Values While Accessing the Internet

Technical-ESO---6th-Grade

At EnlightiumAcademy, students have Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) for each grade level. This means that upon completing the 6th grade, each student is expected to grow not just academically, but also spiritually and socially.

One of the three academic ESOs is technical capabilities. Upon reviewing this article, students in 6th grade are expected to learn how to maintain Christian values while accessing the Internet.

Students should review this article with a parent.

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Study Tips: Using Flash Cards

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What are flashcards?

Flashcards are a common studying tool that have been used for decades. The basic components are:

  1. Term: the term on a flashcard is the short word, phrase, or question that you are trying to remember.
  2. Definition: the definition is the meaning of the term. It can also be a fact, explanation, or answer.

While many cards will show both the term and definition on one side, the most effective cards will have the term on one side and the definition on the other.

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Why Doesn't My Student Care?

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One common characteristic plagues students today: apathy. The struggle of the parent, student, and teacher is to overcome apathy and motivate students toward genuine learning. What can you do?

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Twisted Scripture: Ask And It Will Be Given To You

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When we speak (be it words of comfort, or advice, or persuasion, etc.), sometimes we appeal to the words of someone whose authority on the subject can be agreed upon by both, the speaker and the listener. We do this knowingly or unknowingly, and examples range from as simple as, “my dad said it’s better if done this way…” to as complex as, “astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have discovered that the universe is expanding 5 percent to 9 percent faster than expected” (Ashley Morrow, NASA). 

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Twisted Scripture: God Works Together All Things For Good

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Because the Bible is God’s word, it is an incredibly powerful thing. God has communicated His very heart to us in written form; He has given us wisdom and a glimpse into the mysteries of His very being and has revealed His work in human history to us. If the Bible says something, it is incredibly significant - it is something that we should hold on to with our lives! If the Bible gives a promise, that is a promise we can be certain will come true. These promises can give us the most comfort we will ever receive. However, what happens if we get one of these promises wrong? If we misinterpret the Bible and make it say things that it does not, we can give ourselves and others false hope and, in so doing, bring much hurt.

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