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Assignment Calculator
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Write a Research Paper
Step 1
By {[{step1DateTime}]} : How to Begin
- Understand your assignment.
- Read the prompt and make sure you understand the assignment.
- Contact or visit your instructor's office hours if you have questions.
- Select a workable topic.
- See the "Topic Development" guide or, for more in-depth strategies, the "Coming Up with your Topic" guide.
- Conduct preliminary investigation into topic and the issues surrounding it. (Why? Picking your topic IS research)
- Try looking up your topic in Credo Reference.
- Look for subject encyclopedias by searching the Library Catalog (e.g. encyclopedia and psychology).
- Ask a Librarian for help.
- Still not sure how to begin? Schedule a brainstorming appointment with a writing tutor.
By {[{step1DateTime}]} : How to Begin
- Understand your assignment.
- Read the prompt and make sure you understand the assignment.
- Contact or visit your instructor's office hours if you have questions.
- Select a workable topic.
- See the "Topic Development" guide or, for more in-depth strategies, the "Coming Up with your Topic" guide.
- Conduct preliminary investigation into topic and the issues surrounding it. (Why? Picking your topic IS research)
- Try looking up your topic in Credo Reference.
- Look for subject encyclopedias by searching the Library Catalog (e.g. encyclopedia and psychology).
- Ask a Librarian for help.
- Still not sure how to begin? Schedule a brainstorming appointment with a writing tutor.
Step 2
By {[{step2DateTime}]} : Write your working thesis or research question.
- Revise and narrow your topic as needed.
- Drop in at the Writing Lab to discuss your thesis.
Step 3
By {[{step3DateTime}]} : Design Your Research Strategy.
- Find your sources.
- Use the "My Research Strategy" Tool to design an effective search.
- Use the Library search box to find books, articles, and more.
- Use the Library subject guides to find more resources by topic.
- As you conduct research:
- Ask yourself "How will I use this as evidence?"
- Be aware that there is no such thing as the one perfect source.
- Gather citation information on your sources for your bibliography page.
- Consider using EndnoteWeb , Zotero or other tools to save citations and create your bibliography.
- Not sure where to start? Not finding what you are looking for? Ask a Librarian for help.
Step 4
By {[{step4DateTime}]} : Critically read and evaluate sources.
- Evaluate sources by currency, authority, accuracy, relevance, and purpose.
- What are Popular vs. Scholarly Sources
- What are Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources?
- Use critical strategies as you begin "Reading to Write".
- It's not too soon to start thinking about how to "Get Into" writing an essay [.pdf].
- Ask A Librarian for help with evaluating sources or schedule an appointment with a writing tutor.
Step 5
By {[{step5DateTime}]} : Develop overall structure. Draft sections of the paper. Organize your sources.
- Develop your ideas.
- Organize your thoughts and your paper's structure.
- Start writing segments or chunks, not necessarily the introduction. As you write you will discover more of what you want to say.
- Drop in at the Writing Lab to discuss your thesis, the organization of your ideas, or the introduction to your paper.
Step 6
By {[{step6DateTime}]} : Write the first draft.
- Think about how to write a successful paper [.pdf].
- Remember the academic "dos & don'ts [.pdf]" .
- Compose sections, concentrating on your ideas and not revising at this time. You might use the basic organization of an academic paper as a guide [.pdf].
- As you incorporate others' ideas or words be sure to cite your sources!
- Submit your draft to Writing Services' OWL for tutor response.
Step 7
By {[{step7DateTime}]} : Revise and rewrite--focus on content, development of ideas, connections between your points, and effective use of your sources.
Step 8
By {[{step8DateTime}]} : Proofread, polish and put your paper in final form.
Based on the original Assignment Calculator from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Developed by Randall Library and the UNCW Writing Center
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