How to Write a Research Essay: From Idea to Finished Paper
Step One: The Question
Generate a question about your topic that is meaningful, interesting and worth answering. This will help you FOCUS your topic.
Examples:
Viruses TOO BROAD
What is the impact of viruses on our lives in the 21st century? TOO BROAD
To what extent has the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) evolved since it was first discovered?
Does the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cause AIDS? TOO NARROW
Alternatively, you may be assigned a topic and a series of questions by your teacher. In either case, you will need to review the literature available.
Step Two: The Literature Overview
Use a comprehensive resource such as an encyclopedia, atlas or textbook to find background information, especially keywords that will assist you with your deeper research. Use the bibliography to locate other sources. (You may wish to use an on-line encyclopedia such as World Book, accessible from the Delview Library home page.)
Step Three: Deeper Research
a. Use the keywords you found above to search the DELVIEW LIBRARY CATALOGUE. Jot down the call number of the relevant books, and search the shelves in that area.
b. Use the Delview Library home-page to find online journals. The EBSCO database will provide links to a number of relevant sources.
c. Use the World Wide Web. You may use the search engine of your choice, or one of the links from the Delview Library home page.
d. Use an evaluation tool to ensure that your resources are appropriate.
Step Four: Taking Notes
Avoid plagiarism by using a note-taking form, in either electronic or paper format.
Generate a question about your topic that is meaningful, interesting and worth answering. This will help you FOCUS your topic.
Examples:
Viruses TOO BROAD
What is the impact of viruses on our lives in the 21st century? TOO BROAD
To what extent has the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) evolved since it was first discovered?
Does the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cause AIDS? TOO NARROW
Alternatively, you may be assigned a topic and a series of questions by your teacher. In either case, you will need to review the literature available.
Step Two: The Literature Overview
Use a comprehensive resource such as an encyclopedia, atlas or textbook to find background information, especially keywords that will assist you with your deeper research. Use the bibliography to locate other sources. (You may wish to use an on-line encyclopedia such as World Book, accessible from the Delview Library home page.)
Step Three: Deeper Research
a. Use the keywords you found above to search the DELVIEW LIBRARY CATALOGUE. Jot down the call number of the relevant books, and search the shelves in that area.
b. Use the Delview Library home-page to find online journals. The EBSCO database will provide links to a number of relevant sources.
c. Use the World Wide Web. You may use the search engine of your choice, or one of the links from the Delview Library home page.
d. Use an evaluation tool to ensure that your resources are appropriate.
Step Four: Taking Notes
Avoid plagiarism by using a note-taking form, in either electronic or paper format.