Thesis Statements, Outlining, and Citing Sources

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to thesis statements, outlining techniques, and citation styles utilized in academic writing.

Thesis Statement

A controlling idea that you will develop in your paper, typically found at the end of an introduction.

Argument

The opinion expressed in a thesis statement, which varies depending on the type of paper being written.

Evidence

The support for your argument or claim, providing concrete examples to strengthen your assertion.

In-text Citation

A citation method where the source details are included within the text of your writing to give credit to original authors.

Reference Citation

A complete bibliographic entry for all references used in a work, typically found in a reference list at the paper's end.

APA Style

A citation style commonly used in social sciences, following the author-date format.

MLA Style

A citation style used primarily in humanities, following the author-page method for citations.

Outline

A systematic method of organizing ideas in a structured manner that shows relationships between main points and subpoints.

Formal Outline

A structured outline using Roman numerals, letters, and numbers to denote hierarchy.

Informal Outline

A simple, flexible outline using bullet points or dashes, intended for personal use during early planning stages.

Common Mistakes in Outlining

Can include too few or too many main points, unbalanced structure, vague language, and inconsistent format.

Direct Quotations

Exact reproductions of text that require proper formatting and citation in research writing.

Citing Sources

The practice of giving credit to original authors in your work to promote academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.

Hanging Indentation

A format in which the second and subsequent lines of a reference citation are indented from the left margin.