Writing papers for course assignments usually involves doing research in a library to gather supporting information. This tutorial will provide you some assistance in each step of the process. Here's an overview of what will be covered:
Step 1: Develop Your Topic: Explore and Refine
- Before you settle on a topic, it's a good idea to explore some background research first to develop it. The library is a great source for background information!
- Once you've done some background research, it's time to narrow and refine your topic. Remember, the shorter your final paper, the narrower your topic needs to be.
Step 2: Find Sources: Tools and Suggestions
- Use OneSearch to find books, articles, web sites and more!
- Try the sources suggested by a librarian in this subject area.
Step 3: Search & Evaluate: Methods and CRAAP
- After you've refined your topic, it's time to start looking for sources. Do you need books, articles, or something else?
- Try the search methods suggested by a librarian for this subject area.
- It's always a good idea to evaluate sources before using them in your assignment. Do you need to have scholarly sources or the most recent research? Use the CRAAP test!
Step 4: Write & Cite: Put it All Together
- Pull everything together to share your argument and your evidence. Tie ideas from your sources together with your own thoughts and analysis to make a compelling case.
- Use a style guide to format the paper's layout and source citations.
