1. Overview of the Research Process
Mrs. Lewis English IV

2. Step 1: Choose a topic
Locate, within a general subject area, a topic that fascinates you.
Example: Acid rain

3. Step 2: Narrow your topic
Narrow the topic by finding a specific angle or approach to it so that you can handle it within the prescribed page limit.
Example: The effect of acid rain on northeastern forests

4. Step 3: Locate sources of information
In the Information Center, search for sources of information and record publication information about books, magazines, Web sites, etc., on your 3x5 source cards, following MLA form.

5. Step 4: Develop a thesis statement
Formulate a thesis statement and a clear method of development. Your thesis statement usually contains a judgment, evaluation, or criticism; it states the main idea of your paper. Your method of development shows how you are going to support your thesis.
Example: Acid rain harms forests by damaging leaves, limiting nutrients, and poisoning with toxic substances.

6. Step 5: Begin an outline
Make a tentative topic outline, writing your thesis statement at the top and indicating major topics that support it. Under each topic, leave space for listing facts, examples, and supporting details that your research will provide.

7. Step 6: Label your note cards
Take your second set of index cards (4x6 or larger), called note cards, and write a topic heading on the first few cards; these are the major topics from your topic outline.
Example: Card 1. Leaf Damage
Card 2. Nutrient Limitation
Card 3. Poisoning

8. Step 7: Take notes
Locate sources and begin taking notes, selecting only relevant information and entering it only under the appropriate topic headings on your note cards. Use a separate card for each idea or piece of information.

9. Step 8: Enter your supporting information into your outline
Once you have sufficient information, organize your note cards under your major topics and return to your topic outline. Now fill in the subtopics under your major topics. These are the facts, examples, statistics, and expert opinions that support each major topic.

10. Example of supporting information in an outline
A. Nutrient Limitation (major topic)
1. Atmospheric nitrogen deposited on a forested watershed in Maine (Specific support 1)
2. Support 2
3. Support 3
B. Poisoning (major topic)
1. Red spruce decline near Bay of Fundy (Support 1)

11. Step 9: Write a rough draft
With your completed outline and the information on your note cards in hand, start writing your rough draft, putting in documentation for all borrowed material as you write. Use paraphrasing, summarizing, and direct quotation, as appropriate, and provide discussion of borrowed material.

12. Step 10: Edit and revise Self-edit
Exchange your paper with other students
Study the feedback you receive from peers and teachers
Run a spell checker, make corrections, and proofread carefully
Revise, revise, revise!

13. Step 11: Create a works cited page
When your rough draft is the best your can make it, prepare your final version, including a works cited or references page at the end, based on the source cards you used.

14. Step 12: Submit your completed paper
Submit your paper to
Submit a printed version to Mrs. Lewis on time and with pride, knowing that it is your best work!