Effective Reading, Writing, and Studying

This is a list of common terminologies used when reading, writing, or studying academic material. The definitions are from OpenAI (2024).

Academic Terminology

Abstract

• A brief summary of the key points and findings of an article or scientific study
• Allows readers to quickly understand the purpose, methodology, and results of the study.
• Scientific studies may have a structured abstract: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion (IMRaD)
• Reading and Understanding Abstracts--APA Style (7th ed.) handout

Draft

• A preliminary version of your paper that may undergo revisions and edits before the final submission.
• Allows you to develop and refine your ideas throughout the writing process.
• Rough Drafts--Excelsior Online Writing Lab

In-text Citation

• A brief reference to a source within the body of your paper.
• MLA Style Example: (Smith 45)
• MLA Citations in the Body of Your Paper--Excelsior Online Writing Lab
• APA Style Example: (Smith, 2020)
• Author-Date Citation System--APA Style official website
• Appropriate Level of Citation--APA Style official website

Outline

• A structured plan that organizes the main ideas and supporting details of your paper.
• Helps you visualize the structure of your paper and ensure logical flow.
• Types of Outlines and Samples--Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Creating an Outline--Kathleen Jones White Writing Center Indiana University of Pennsylvania 
• Sample Detailed Outline--The Writing Process from MIT Global Studies and Languages

Paraphrasing

• Restating information from a source in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
• When you are paraphrasing, it is still crucial to in-text cite and reference the source to give proper credit to the author.
• Paraphrasing--Excelsior Online Writing Lab 
• Tips for Paraphrasing--Excelsior Online Writing Lab
• Chapter on Paraphrasing from the ebook Critical Thinking in Academic Research (2nd ed.) 

Peer Review/Scholarly (often used regarding articles, e.g. peer reviewed articles or scholarly articles)

• The process of having a paper evaluated by colleagues or experts in the field before publication 
• Provides constructive feedback to improve the quality and credibility of the work.
• Peer Reviewed Sources--Polk State College Libraries 
• Finding Scholarly Articles--Polk State College Libraries

Plagiarism

• Using someone else's ideas, words, or work without proper acknowledgment or permission.
• Considered an academic dishonesty and can have serious consequences
• Polk State College students, submit a paper for a plagiarism check through The Writing Studio
• Polk State College's Catalog/Handbook 2023-2024 on Cheating and Plagiarism 
• Avoiding Plagiarism--Excelsior Online Writing Lab

Proofreading

• Carefully reviewing your paper to correct grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Focuses on surface-level mistakes to enhance readability and professionalism.
• Revising & Editing Process--Excelsior Online Writing Lab
• Polk State College Students--Get help from English faculty through The Writing Studio and through TLCC Tutoring

Quoting

• Directly copying a portion of text from a source and including it in your paper.
• Must use quotation marks and provide an in-text citation and reference to give credit to the original author.
• APA Style on Quotations--APA Style official website
• MLA Citation Guide (9th ed.) in-text citation--Columbia College Go to the section labeled Quoting Directly
• Using Quotations--Excelsior Online Writing Lab

Revision

• The process of reviewing, editing, and improving your paper to enhance clarity, coherence, and overall quality.
• Essential for refining your arguments, correcting errors, and ensuring consistency.
• Revising & Editing Tips--Excelsior Online Writing Lab
• Steps for Revising Your Paper--Purdue Online Writing Lab

Scanning

• Searching for specific information within a text by looking for particular words, phrases, or data.
• Useful for quickly locating relevant details for research or study.
• Reading Strategy: Scanning (YouTube video)

Skimming

• Quickly glancing through a text to identify key points and determine its relevance.
• Helps readers gain an overview without reading in detail.
• Here's How to Skim Read Effectively!--Academic Affairs, University of Denver

Summarizing

• Condensing the main ideas or key points of a text into a concise form.
• When you are summarizing, it is still necessary to in-text citation and reference the source to acknowledge the author's work.
• Learn How to Summarize a Text--Excelsior Online Writing Lab

Thesis Statement

• A concise statement that presents the main point or argument of your paper.
• Guides the direction of your research and provides a focus for your writing.
• Thesis Statement Example--Excelsior Online Writing Lab

Works Cited or Reference Page

• A list of all sources cited in your paper, providing complete bibliographic information.
• Enables readers to locate the original documents and verifies the credibility of your research.
• MLA Sample Works Cited Page--Purdue Online Writing Lab
• APA Sample Student Paper--APA Style official website (scroll down to see the References section)

 

Reference

OpenAI. (2024, April 23). Academic terminology [ChatGPT 3.5 Conversation]. https://chat.openai.com/share/9e076ddd-ab14-4ae4-ba27-a4044fa46a49