|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GUIDES & RESOURCES
Writing Term PapersThis webpage is your guide to the wealth of information about research and academic writing available at the library and on-line. The page is designed to assist research paper writers of all skill levels, from the beginning student who is unsure of how to start, to a more experienced paper writer who wants to polish his or her style or learn a new trick. Experts may divide term paper or research paper writing into as many as twelve steps, but at the simplest level, there are three main components: 1) Choosing a Topic: The topic you choose is equally as important as the words you use when writing the paper. Your topic must fit the scope of your paper; that is, it must follow the limits your teacher or professor assigned, such as page or word length, and meet the needs of the assignment. In addition, you have to be able to research your paper (see Step 2), so you must choose a topic about which information has already been published. 2) Performing Research: Now that you have an idea, you can begin to search for information about your topic. Research takes time and patience, so begin early and be flexible. You may have to change your topic as you learn what and how much information is available. Your librarian can help you find a variety of information available in print or on the web. So, don't be shy, ask the experts! 3) Writing the Paper: Now that you've gathered your information, you'll need to start writing. For many writers, this is the most challenging part. But if you have chosen a good topic and performed high-quality research, you are already well on your way to a strong final product. Remember, nobody is perfect, especially on the first try. Allow yourself time to write and revise multiple drafts. In addition, an important part of research paper writing is giving credit to your sources, or "citing" your sources. There are handbooks and websites that can teach you the proper methods of citation. The materials on this webpage will help you with all three steps and others in between. There are many print and electronic handbooks, manuals, and guides that give writers of all levels advice on how to research, write, edit, and polish their papers. Simply click on the materials and links on this page to access the best of what the library and the web have to offer you, the research paper writer. In the Related Guided Searches section, there are several links to resources on a variety of topics. One of these might be yours. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Library Materials
Related Catalog Searches
Online DatabasesWebsites
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
