Transcript Document
Rescue for the
Researcher and Writer
The Research Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Planning the project
Selecting / refining a topic
Finding sources
Evaluating your sources
Organizing your findings
Writing & revising
Time Management
Planning
5%
Topic Selection
5%
Writing &
revising
40%
Organizing your
information
5%
Topic focus
15%
Gathering
information
30%
http:core.lib.purdue.edu/plan4.htm
Understanding Your
Assignment
Format of the project (research paper,
oral presentation, design . . .)
Length
Audience
Assessment criteria
Citation style (APA, MLA . . .)
Exploring Your Topic
•Brainstorm ideas for a topic
•Come up with keywords
•Consider using broader & narrower terms
Google Hint: ~sustainable development will search
for sustainable development and its
common synonyms
define: sustainable development will
search for definitions and links
Webbing
Penn State University Libraries. (2005). Retrieved August 22, 2005, from
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/infolit/andyou/mod1/idea3.htm
Thesis Statement
States the topic / main idea of the paper
Shows the purpose of your paper
Shows the direction of your argument
Written in focused, specific language
It is interesting
Looking for Information
Check the library for:
Books
Periodicals
Government documents
Newspapers
Videos
Human expertise
Looking for Information
Check the world wide web for:
The Invisible Web (beyond google)
Online databases
Current information (online newspapers,
articles, studies. . .)
The Library’s Best of the Web pages
Using
& other
General Search Engines
•Many web pages are free
•Most web pages are commercial
•Anyone can create and publish a webpage
Information on the web is
•Not highly organized
•Not always comprehensive
•Not permanent
Evaluate your Sources
Accuracy
Does the source seem correct? Do you need to
check the information with a second source?
Currency
Is this source up to date?
Objectivity
Is this source unnecessarily biased?
Coverage
What is the purpose of this source?
Authority
Who is the author / publisher of this source?
Going Beyond Google
Holland College Library has licensed several
databases that provide access to full text articles and
current information:
•Canadian Business & Current Affairs
•ABI/INFORM
•Academic Search Elite
•Professional Development Collection
•Vocational & Career Collection
•Encyclopedia Britannica
•Gale Health & Wellness
Taking Notes
Avoid plagiarism
Read the information, think, then put what
you’ve read in your own words
Avoid cutting and pasting
Identify direct quotes
Document your sources as you take notes
Taking Notes
Create descriptive
headings / subtopics
Use index cards or
paper that can easily
be reorganized
Keep the notes short
Add personal
comments
http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/notes.shtml
Creating an Outline
I.
Introduction
A. Grab audience attention
B. State thesis
II. Body
A. Build points
B. Develop ideas
C. Support main claim
III. Conclusion
A. Reemphasize main idea
www.owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp
Writing the Rough Draft
Introduction
Be very clear about what the main idea is
Body
Turn the key ideas in your outline into
paragraphs
Conclusion
Sum up your thesis – show you have
proven something
Introduction
8 ways to introduce your topic
1. Background information
2. Definition
3. Story
4. Question
5. Quotation
6. Contradiction
7. Fact or statistic
8. Surprising statement
Body of the Paper
Topic sentence at the beginning of each
paragraph
Supportive ideas follow the main idea
With each new “big” idea, start a new
paragraph
Sentences and paragraphs should be smooth
and logically connected
Conclusion
4 Ways to conclude your paper
1. Review key points and restate your thesis
in a “new” way
2. Recommend a course of action
3. Make a prediction
4. End with a relevant quotation
Editing your Rough
Draft
If time allows, set it aside for a day or so.
Editing tools
Dictionary / spell check
Thesaurus
Grammar & punctuation handbook /
grammar check
Red pen
An editor
Writing the Final Draft
Word processed is usually preferred
Pay attention to appearance
Read the paper out loud
Don’t forget to credit your sources
Bibliography / works cited page
Create a snappy title
Keep a backup copy
If you have any questions or need help
with your researching and writing,
please contact us at
Holland College Library Services.
2009
Holland College Library Services