Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program 1

Organizing a Paper or Lecture

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Overview

Searching the literatureSearching the literature

Taking notesTaking notes

Creating an outlineCreating an outline

SummarySummary

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Searching the Literature

Find an on line database of periodicalsFind an on line database of periodicals– PubMed for medical topicsPubMed for medical topics

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMedwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed

– PsycInfo for psychological topicsPsycInfo for psychological topics• www.psycinfo.orgwww.psycinfo.org

– Or, go to library and get help from reference Or, go to library and get help from reference librarianlibrarian

Select recent review articles in good Select recent review articles in good journalsjournals

Find recent articles from reference lists Find recent articles from reference lists of the review articlesof the review articles

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Taking Notes – 1

Begin with comprehensive recent Begin with comprehensive recent paperpaper

Read and make tentative list of major Read and make tentative list of major subtopics for your paper/lecturesubtopics for your paper/lecture

Create a series of blank pages with Create a series of blank pages with each subtopic as a headingeach subtopic as a heading

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Taking Notes – 2 Select a paper to read and note info relevant Select a paper to read and note info relevant

to each topic on each relevant pageto each topic on each relevant page– Begin each note by listing a shorthand for paper it Begin each note by listing a shorthand for paper it

came from (“O’Brien, JSA,1994”)came from (“O’Brien, JSA,1994”)

Each page of notes will now have all Each page of notes will now have all information from all articles on each topic information from all articles on each topic – E.g., epidemiology, pharmacological treatments, E.g., epidemiology, pharmacological treatments,

etc.etc.

Of course, use additional pages for a topic Of course, use additional pages for a topic if the first page fills upif the first page fills up

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When Reviewing Papers

Know goalKnow goal Begin with abstractBegin with abstract If needed, studyIf needed, study

– TablesTables– MethodsMethods– ConclusionsConclusions– Etc.Etc.

See if Introduction or Discussion give See if Introduction or Discussion give useful referencesuseful references

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Revising Notes

Review topic headings on each pageReview topic headings on each page

See which additional topics are See which additional topics are needed for the paper/lectureneeded for the paper/lecture

Continue reviewing and revisingContinue reviewing and revising

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Preparing to Write

For each topic, write a brief For each topic, write a brief summary of major points madesummary of major points made

Place topics in the order relevant to Place topics in the order relevant to your lecture/paperyour lecture/paper

Begin the outlineBegin the outline

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Guidelines for Consistency

““Abuse” and “Dependence” refer to Abuse” and “Dependence” refer to DSM-IV diagnoses onlyDSM-IV diagnoses only

Create a skeleton others can modifyCreate a skeleton others can modify

Show where slides goShow where slides go

Outline: ~5-10 pagesOutline: ~5-10 pages

Visuals: ~15-30 slidesVisuals: ~15-30 slides

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Creating an Outline

Requires brief phrases or short Requires brief phrases or short sentencessentences– Goal is to guide writing/lecture structure and Goal is to guide writing/lecture structure and

logical flowlogical flow– Allows you to speak and write in own wordsAllows you to speak and write in own words– Helps you find your placeHelps you find your place

KISS (Keep It Simple)KISS (Keep It Simple)– Don’t write a paperDon’t write a paper– Keep to a skeleton of ideas and their supportKeep to a skeleton of ideas and their support

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Complex Outline

IV.IV.Writing can be easy. All you need are a Writing can be easy. All you need are a few basic skills and a lot of practice. few basic skills and a lot of practice.

A.A. Keep your logical prior step in mind, Keep your logical prior step in mind, and always remember to create a segueand always remember to create a seguefor your next step. for your next step.

B.B. Keep the level of vocabulary appropriateKeep the level of vocabulary appropriatefor the audience. for the audience.

C.C. Be sure to emphasize each major pointBe sure to emphasize each major pointseveral times. several times.

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Simple Outline

IV.IV. Writing - easyWriting - easy

A.A. Be logicalBe logical

B.B. Be appropriate for audienceBe appropriate for audience

C.C. Emphasize major pointsEmphasize major points

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Organizing the Outline

I.Epidemiol A.Prev B.Incidence

I.Epidemiol A.Prev B.Incidence

For each major topic, select the For each major topic, select the points needed to make the major points needed to make the major pointpoint– These are listed under each These are listed under each

Roman number as capital letters Roman number as capital letters

I.Epi A.Prev 1.Youth 2.Adults

I.Epi A.Prev 1.Youth 2.Adults

Any points required for support of Any points required for support of A, B, etc. are listed under that A, B, etc. are listed under that capital as Arabic numeralscapital as Arabic numerals

I.II.III.IV.

I.II.III.IV.

Choose a limited number of major Choose a limited number of major points to makepoints to make– These become Roman numeralsThese become Roman numerals

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An Example Outline

I. Introduction

A. Epidemiology

1. Use

2. Disorders

a. Abuse

b. Dependence

I. Introduction

A. Epidemiology

1. Use

2. Disorders

a. Abuse

b. Dependence

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References

Recent papers & reviewsRecent papers & reviews

15-30 for AMSP lectures15-30 for AMSP lectures

Use numbers in textUse numbers in text

Example in References:Example in References:

8.8. Kendler KS, Thornton LM, Garner CO: Stressful Kendler KS, Thornton LM, Garner CO: Stressful life events. Am J Psychiatry 2000; 157: 1243-life events. Am J Psychiatry 2000; 157: 1243-1251.1251.

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Summary

Good organization is keyGood organization is key

Always start with an overview/outline Always start with an overview/outline of major pointsof major points

Consistency, accuracy, clarity and Consistency, accuracy, clarity and flow of ideas are essentialflow of ideas are essential