How Students Should Balance the Use of Outside Sources with Their Original Ideas

How Can Students Balance the Use of Outside Sources with Their Original Thoughts and Ideas in an Essay? 

You surely know that students have to write a great variety of academic papers of all types. There are definite recommendations on how they should be written, as well as strict demands that cannot be violated. The US system of education is based on several guidelines. One of them is to be original and creative. Although you should find and use the thoughts of other authors, people expect you to use your own original ideas.

This is when a definite problem appears. Some students cannot find a perfect balance between using someone else’s ideas and adding their own concepts. They even ask – What online essay writing service can do my essay for me? This informative blog post deals with exploring strategies for students to maintain a harmonious blend of outside sources and their own ideas in essays. Read on, as this data will be useful!

Understanding the Role of Outside Sources

First of all, we want to explain the purpose of outside sources in academic essays. They are used to support arguments, provide evidence, offer examples, etc. They help to make your theory realistic because it is based on the previous official findings. You are obliged to use them every time you write a scientifically based academic paper. Today, it is quite normal, but many students lose their creativity by using only outside sources.

The Significance of Original Thoughts and Ideas

Now, let’s go to the discussion of original thinking and ideas. Why are they essential in academic writing? No one wants to reread the same thoughts in your essays. If there was no need for originality, people would have only a few papers that state the same ideas. They always want to learn something new. That is why your research must not end with someone else’s ideas. You should offer your own ones. They contribute to critical thinking and intellectual growth. 

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Effective Use of Outside Sources

The next thing we’d like to highlight is the right way you can use outside sources. If you know the right tips, you will avoid problems with plagiarism and originality. Make allowances for the following points:

●  Selective and relevance. First of all, you need to carefully select sources that are relevant to your topic and argument. Be sure they are official, and they totally suit them. Otherwise, the entire research will be irrelevant. If you evaluate the sources correctly, it will be much easier to cover the topic. Your text will be credible and reliable.

●  Proper citation. Secondly, give heed to citations and references of outside sources. You surely know that there are many academic writing styles – APA, Chicago, MLA, Turabian, and others. Each has its own peculiarities and thus differs from others. Be extremely accurate because you may make a mistake that may cost you a lot. Double-check the assigned style before you start to cite and make references.

●  Incorporating source material. When you try to combine the source content and your own ideas, be sure to blend them logically. Make smooth transitions and let your readers understand where your own ideas start and end.

Strategies for Balancing Originality

Now, we want to focus on the best ways to balance your originality. This essential task isn’t easy to fulfill. Here are our useful tips and strategies:

●  Outlining. It is useful to create a clear essay outline that incorporates your original ideas. It’s helpful to organize your thoughts before adding outside sources. Thus, you will not lose your own creativity because you’ll have your unique ideas before you find any external sources.

●  Developing a unique thesis. The heart of any academic paper is surely its thesis statement. This single sentence explains the importance of your research. So, it’s a perfect tool to shine with your originality. Make it uncommon and creative to show that you can think outside the box.

●  Use of Evidence. When you use someone’s concepts, you are not expected to cite everything. Commonly, a couple of citations are sufficient. You should interpret the original thoughts you have according to the materials you found. In other words, you need to explain your findings in your own words to show your creativity and avoid the silly repetitions of others. Your analysis and synthesis are crucial in this case.

Synthesis and Critical Thinking

One more point you need to consider is the role of synthesis in academic writing. When you use the thoughts and outcomes of other authors, you are supposed to find a perfect way to connect them with your topic and ideas. Thus, you will need your critical thinking to find the smoothest way.

Avoiding Overreliance on Outside Sources

Many students get too dependent on outside sources of information. Yes, they are supposed to use them as they are very helpful, and teachers demand them. On the other hand, they kill the originality in students. Students do not think on their own. They blindly trust a definite source and build the whole strategy around it. This strategy is a serious mistake. You are supposed to keep a perfect balance between original content and external sources. Make sure your originality does not suffocate because of overreliance on those sources.

Peer Review and Feedback

A lot of youngsters don’t realize the importance of seeking peer review and feedback during the writing process. When you ask others to help you or when you read the way other folks handled their assignments, you obtain important experience. Thus, you can avoid typical mistakes.

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Defining Thoughts for Our Readers

The use of outside sources is crucial for every scientifically based academic paper. Yet, students are expected to find a perfect balance to mix those sources with original thoughts and ideas in their projects. The largest part of your assignment must represent your original thoughts. Don’t forget about this rule, or you will lose your own originality.