WikiSummary

Summaries can be really useful as a quick reminder of an article’s main points to use when revising for an exam or to bring to class. They are also helpful before delving into the original as a road map. WikiSummary is a free database containing over 600 summaries of scholarly research in the social sciences. At the moment, the categories seem limited to political science but there are also some classic economics and...

The Reverse Outline

Sometimes I get so caught up in writing a paper that I lose sight of the overall structure, particularly if it’s a long one! When I am trying to evaluate the logical sequence and coherence of the arguments in a rough draft, I make an outline of what I have written. I usually include all of the main sections of my paper and the specific arguments under each, but it can be as skeletal or as detailed as you need. This can be...

Colour-coded highlighting

The first full week of school has come and almost gone, and if your schedule is anything like mine, you already have a long list of reading assignments to complete. One thing that can be discouraging about actually doing all of the coursework on schedule is that when you sit down to study for exams, you have nothing but a blank book staring back at you. This is where strategic color-coded highlighting comes in.   By...

Back to school organizing

It’s almost time to head back to school and a new semester means a fresh start. This new year, start off on the right foot by taking concrete steps toward two of your resolutions – getting organized and achieving more academically. Rather than wait until half the semester has passed you by, use this first week of school to get yourself prepared for the semester ahead. Here’s a list to help you get started. The...