1. Rescue for the Researcher and Writer

2. The Research Process 1.Planning the project 2.Selecting / refining a topic 3.Finding sources 4.Evaluating your sources 5.Organizing your findings 6.Writing & revising

3. Time Management http:core.lib.purdue.edu/plan4.htm

4. Understanding Your Assignment  Format of the project (research paper, oral presentation, design...)  Length  Audience  Assessment criteria  Citation style (APA, MLA...)

5. Exploring Your Topic Google Hint: ~sustainable development will search for sustainable development and its common synonyms define: sustainable development will search for definitions and links Brainstorm ideas for a topic Come up with keywords Consider using broader & narrower terms

6. Webbing Penn State University Libraries. (2005). Retrieved August 22, 2005, from http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/infolit/andyou/mod1/idea3.htm

7. 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

8. Looking for Information  Check the library for:  Books  Periodicals  Government documents  Newspapers  Videos  Human expertise

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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

14.  Create descriptive headings / subtopics  Use index cards or paper that can easily be reorganized  Keep the notes short  Add personal comments Taking Notes http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/notes.shtml

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. If you have any questions or need help with your researching and writing, please contact us at Holland College Library Services.

23. 2009 Holland College Library Services