As stated by “REA’s Handbook of English Grammar, Style, and Writing,” proceeding without an outline is like navigating a new city without a map. Unfortunately, most students new to essay writing are unfamiliar with how to outline an English paper. Students who neglect to use an outline often produce rambling, Faulkner-esque essays. Taking an hour to gather your thoughts and write an outline can save time writing the essay and lead to a better grade.

Acquaint yourself with an outline template. The Owl at Purdue states that most outlines use Roman numerals for essay sections (introduction, main points and conclusion) and, in descending order of specificity with indentations, capitalized letters, Arabic numerals and lowercase letters.

Start with the introduction. Include a fact or statistic to introduce the essay, or include background information on the issue or author discussed. At this stage in the writing process, listing the specific quote or tidbit of information is not necessary. Simply note its inclusion in the outline. State your thesis and list the three main points of the essay.

Outline the first theme of the essay in two or three words. For example, write “capitalism” if the topic of your paper is discussing themes of Ayn Rand’s book, “Atlas Shrugged.” List (as Arabic numerals within the template) three or more ways the book supports this theme, like “Dagney Taggart’s refusal of government assistance.” Because you will elaborate on these points upon writing the essay, keep the outline’s description of these points to one sentence. Repeat this process for the other two themes.

Gather supporting information. Go to the library, search the Internet or use your textbook to find credible sources that support your points. Color-code your themes to make the process easier: delegate one theme, “capitalism” in yellow, “individualism” in green and “objectivism” in blue. For all supporting quotes or page numbers, highlight it in a color that matches the theme to which it corresponds for easier reference.

On the outline, determine which point should be bolstered with the sources found. For example, the book’s metaphor for socialism found in the passage describing moldy government-subsidized soybeans would be placed in the theme, “capitalism” under the point, “Government failures.” Under this point (as a lower-case letter within the template), write the page number of the passage or write a short description of the source.

Write points for the conclusion. Dirk Siepmann, author of the book “Writing in English,” recommends using the conclusion to express outcomes of the issues discussed in the essay and give statements regarding open ends and unanswered questions.

Potential employers, educators and other organizations provide aptitude tests for potential candidates. These tests gauge the intelligence and skills of the taker during a specific amount of time. Most aptitude tests are not completed in the allotted amount of time, but participants are expected to complete as much of them as possible. The tests are on general or employment-related topics and include multiple-choice answers. Participants take these tests on a computer most of the time, but some take it on paper using a pencil.

Discover what will be included on the aptitude test you will be taking. You can do so by simply asking the administrator what is on the aptitude test. Do research to determine sample questions for the type of industry you are taking the test for. You can also find sample aptitude tests that you can take to determine your strong and weak points. Do this daily until it is time to take the aptitude test.

Study sentence structure and basic English writing formatting for paragraphs, essays and speaking. Pay attention to how each sentence flows and the correct way of speaking without using slang or uncommon words. Verbal ability questions determine the participant’s grammar, understanding of analogies and ability to follow instructions. These tests help employers determine how proficient you are in communication. Data checking tests require participants to search for errors specifically for clerical-type jobs, and this study method is common for this section.

Practice basic and advanced math that includes charts for the numeric ability tests. These tests are generally basic, but they may include some advanced math and charts. Brush up on things you learned in high school and take time to learn new things that may have been confusing to you in the past.

Read instruction manuals for basic appliances around your home and search online for manuals for products you do not own. Following recipe instructions can also be beneficial to studying for this test. Abstract reasoning portions of the test have questions to determine your logic and solutions to questions. These questions determine your intelligence and ability to learn new things.

Reassess your personal knowledge concerning physics for the mechanical reasoning test. These tests assess your mechanical knowledge concerning topics including inertia, force, energy and friction. Study books about the movement of the human body and books about how magnets work. Utilize the time until your test to study and understand physics terms and how they apply to everyday life.

Study electronic diagrams concerning your chosen field of work if you plan to become an electrician or enter a mechanical field. Fault diagnosis questions determine how participants find issues and fix problems concerning electronics or mechanics.

Research the field you plan to enter and the company you wish to work for. Break the job title down and determine your expected duties. Work sample tests include scenarios of work situations and conflicts and how well the user can handle it. Knowing and understanding your potential job responsibilities will prepare you for this portion of the test.

Online career colleges offer students the flexibility of earning a certificate or degree while maintaining their current lifestyle. Career colleges also focus on teaching courses that give students real, hands-on experience. As industries such as health care and technology continue to expand in the U.S., professionals will need to update their education and job skills to stay competitive in the workforce.

Types

Online career colleges differ based on factors such as the types of degrees and programs offered. Bryan College Online provides students with the option of choosing between online associate degree and diploma programs. Students can enroll in accounting, criminal justice, finance, marketing or travel agency operations. In comparison, Westwood College has online associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs ranging from graphic design and business, to medical assisting and automotive technology. U.S. Career Institute grants graduates with certificates in professional areas including legal transcription, office administration and medical coding. However, students can also enroll in one of their 10 associate degree programs.

Curriculum

Courses offered at online career colleges hone in on the skills required for student’s particular field or chosen area of emphasis. Byan College Online Associate Degree of Applied Science in Finance covers topics including entrepreneurial finance; investments, security analysis and portfolio management; money and banking; and fundraising for nonprofits. The Child Day Care Specialist Certificate program at the U.S. Career Institute covers child development, child psychology, health and safety, and state and local regulations for running day care businesses. Some online career colleges also break down courses into core, required and general education.

Requirements

Admissions requirements for online career colleges vary from program to program. Westwood College states that applicants must possess a high school diploma, GED or equivalent degree prior to applying to an associate or bachelor’s degree program. International applicants who are non-native English speakers must successfully complete an English proficiency exam. Moreover, prospective students must interview with a Westwood College representative, as well as provide transcripts and standardized test scores. In contrast, certificate only programs such as those offered at the U.S. Career Institute request that students complete a standard online application with their personal contact information, age, educational background, intended program and payment method for tuition. Official high school transcripts, test scores and personal essays are not required.

Financial Aid

Students attending online career colleges such as the U.S. Career Institute must pay their own tuition. No financial assistance is offered. However, students enrolling in one of Westwood College’s full-degree programs can apply for federal aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, full-time students can apply for new student, continuing education and matching scholarships. Additional materials, including recommendation letters and a personal essay, must be submitted along with the application. Bryan College Online admissions representatives direct students to federal financial aid resources, and help with applications for Federal Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and state loans and grants.