So now you know what you want to write about, you have an idea, but you need the stuffing for the turkey, the helium for the balloon, the melody to go with the beat.

 

This is where research is crucial. Find out what others have been writing about your case study, or general topic. Find out where you fit in that conversation. Then, it’s time to decide where the sources fit in your argument as you prepare an outline.

 

Expanding knowledge and thinking about structure go hand in hand; think of researching and outlining as different, though not separate tasks.

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Research. Look for academic and non-academic sources on your topic; make note of your results and any difficulties you may have encountered (too many/too few hits). If you use an online database, you can discuss your search results with a tutor and they will help you refine your search terms to find sources that are a better fit for your topic and argument. 

 

A good place to start is the library portal.

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Annotate your sources by scribbling on a print-out: underline, circle, copy keywords, write notes on margin. Identify passages (quotes) you think you might use in the paper. Bring your search results and annotated printouts to the Writing Center to discuss your choice of sources with the tutor. 

An alternative can be using a Pdf editor that allows highlighting and commenting. What matters is being an active reader.

 

Questions to ask yourself (and the tutor): Are my choices valid? Do I need to make my searches more case-specific? Do I need a broader framework? Have I been seeking only confirmation, or have I collected a variety of conflicting/opposing views on my topic? The tutor can help with all that and set you on the righteous path!

Consider writing an Annotated Bibliography following the template in the next slide.

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