Writing - How to Research and Organize Your Writing - Quick Guides

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Study GuideWriting–How to Research and Organize Your Writing1.Finding Examples and EvidenceOnce you’ve chosen a topic, the next step is figuring outwhat you’re going to say and how you’llsupport it. Strong writing depends on good examples and solid evidence.1.1Start with a Clear ThesisBegin by writing athesis statement—a sentence that clearly states your main idea. Your thesis actslike a roadmap. It helps organize your thoughts and guides your research so you don’t wander offtopic.1.2Take Notes Before You WriteBefore drafting your essay, spend timegathering ideas and information.•For personal essays:Write down your thoughts, memories, observations, and experiences related to the topic.•For text-based analysis:Take notes as you read. Highlight or underline important passages that support your ideas.•For most academic essays:Read books, articles, or other sources to find facts, examples, and details that support yourthesis.If you plan to usequotations, copy them carefully and exactly. Also, write downwhere each quoteor fact comes from. You’ll need this information later to cite your sources correctly.1.3Don’t Worry About Using EverythingNot everything in your notes will end up in your essay—and that’s okay. Notes can include:•Questions that come to mind•Ideas to explore later•Reminders to check facts or sources

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Study GuideThis preparation stage helps you think deeply about your topic and strengthens your understanding,even if some notes never appear in the final draft.1.4Brainstorming, Notes, and OutliningFreewritingStart byfreewritingon your computer. Set a timer for about 10 minutes and write whatever comes tomind about your topic without worrying about grammar or organization. Later, you can copy usefulparts into your draft.Organized NotesTake notes on your computer and include all citation details. Writers are responsible for accuratelydocumenting sources, whether they use:•Parenthetical citations•Footnotes or endnotes•A references page or bibliographyThere are many documentation styles, but starting asource list earlywill save time later.Creating an OutlineYou may also want to create aformal outline. Use:•Roman numerals for main points•Letters or numbers for subpointsOutlining on a computer makes it easy to rearrange ideas and try different organizational plans.1.5Using the Internet for ResearchThe Internet gives you access to a huge amount of information, including:•Newspaper articles (current and historical)•Scholarly journals and abstracts•Interviews, blogs, and multimedia sources•Materials from libraries, universities, museums, government agencies, and internationalorganizationsBecause there isso much information, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

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Study Guide1.6Evaluate Online Sources CarefullyNot everything online is reliable. Before using Internet sources for serious research:•Get help from alibrarian—they can guide you to credible sources.•Learn how to use databases and search tools effectively.•Always evaluate whether a source isaccurate, current, and trustworthy.Remember: just because something appears on a website doesn’t mean it’s true.1.7Citing Online SourcesWhen you use electronic sources, follow acurrent style guide(such as theMLA Handbook) toformat citations correctly. This applies whether you’re using:•In-text citations•Footnotes or endnotes•A references page or bibliography2.Quiz: Finding Examples and EvidenceQuestion 1Complete the following statement:Creating an outline will help you ________Answer Choices• write a catchy title for your paper.• focus on the main ideas that support your thesis.• draft an exciting conclusion for your narrative essay.Correct Answerfocus on the main ideas that support your thesis.

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Study GuideWhy This Is Correct• An outline organizes ideas logically.• It keeps the writer focused on supporting the thesis.Question 2Which statement about taking notes isFALSE?Answer Choices• Always record quotations accurately and note the source of facts and ideas.• You will use every bit of information you have gathered in your research.• Your notes might include questions and related ideas to explore further.Correct AnswerYou will use every bit of information you have gathered in your research.Why This Is Correct• Not all research information ends up in the final paper.• Writers select only the most relevant and useful material.Question 3Which statement about outlines isTRUE?Answer Choices• Creating an outline takes up too much time at the beginning of the writing process.• Outlines are only helpful when you are writing long, complex research papers.• A word processing program can automatically format headings and subheadings.

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerA word processing program can automatically format headings and subheadings.Why This Is Correct• Modern word processors provide outlining tools.• Outlines are useful for many types of writing, not just long papers.Question 4When should a writer start creating a list of information sources?Answer Choices• early in the writing process—as the writer is gathering facts, quotations, and ideas• in the middle of the writing process—after the first draft but before the final proofreading• at the end of the writing process—after the final draft, as the writer is preparing the bibliographyCorrect Answerearly in the writing process—as the writer is gathering facts, quotations, and ideasWhy This Is Correct• Keeping track of sources early prevents citation problems later.• It saves time and reduces errors.Question 5Complete the following statement:If you are going to use the Internet to conduct serious research, you should ________

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Study GuideAnswer Choices• call up and print out the first ten Web sites listed on Google about your topic.• go directly to Wikipedia to find only the most credible sources on your topic.• talk to a librarian about where to find reliable, credible sources on your topic.Correct Answertalk to a librarian about where to find reliable, credible sources on your topic.Why This Is Correct• Librarians can guide you to peer-reviewed and authoritative sources.• Not all Internet sources are reliable.Question 6Which shows thebest potential sourcesto research a paper titledChickenpox in U.S. Children?Answer Choices• Harvard School of Public Health Journal,www.findhealthnews.com, American PediatriciansAssociation Web site• USA Today Newspaper,History of Childhood Diseases,www.lifestyle.msn.com, Dr. Phil's Facebookpage• Journal of Gum Diseases,www.vaccinationsaretoxic.com, a mother's comments about her son'schickenpox on TwitterCorrect AnswerHarvard School of Public Health Journal,www.findhealthnews.com, American PediatriciansAssociation Web siteWhy This Is Correct• The sources are credible and relevant to pediatric health.• Scholarly journals and professional organizations provide reliable medical information.

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Study Guide3.The Importance of Specific DetailsOne common writing mistake is beingtoo general. Strong writing needsspecific details—clearexamples, solid evidence, and concrete support for ideas.3.1Why Details MatterSimply stating an idea is not enough. You need toshowyour reader what you mean.For example:•In a poem analysis, it’s not enough to say the language feels dark or gloomy. You should pointtospecific words or imagesthat create that mood.•If you argue that magnet schools improve education for minority students, you must includeevidence, such as statistics, studies, or real-life examples.•If you write about learning from failure, don’t just reflect on the idea. Useexamples fromyour life, history, or current events.Essays that rely on vague statements without support are usuallyunconvincingandboring. Specificdetails make your writing clearer, stronger, and more interesting.3.2Understanding PlagiarismAs you take notes, remember that you mustcredit your sourceswhen you use someone else’swords or ideas. This means keeping track of information forin-text citationsand for yourworkscited or references page. Always follow a style guide (such as MLA or APA) for proper formatting.What Counts as Plagiarism?Plagiarism happens when you use someone else’s words or ideaswithout giving credit.•Copying and pasting text without citation is plagiarism.•Paraphrasing someone else’s ideaswithout citationis also plagiarism.Paraphrasing doesnotmean changing just a few words. If the idea did not originate with you—and it’snot common knowledge—you must cite the source.

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