1. Rescue for the Researcher and Writer

2. The Research Process • Planning the project • Selecting / refining a topic • Finding sources • Evaluating your sources • Organizing your findings • 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 • 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

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. 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

15. Creating an Outline • Introduction A. Grab audience attention B. State thesis • Body A. Build points B. Develop ideas C. Support main claim • Conclusion A. Reemphasize main idea www.owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp

16. 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 Writing the Rough Draft

17. Introduction • 8 ways to introduce your topic • Background information • Definition • Story • Question • Quotation • Contradiction • Fact or statistic • 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 • Review key points and restate your thesis in a “new” way • Recommend a course of action • Make a prediction • 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