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Information Literacy: Communicate

If you answer yes to the following questions, you are ready to write your research paper or essay:
  • Have you developed and researched your specific research question?
  • Have you synthesized information from multiple sources into an annotated bibliography?
  • Have you collected and analyzed relevant and accurate quotations and ideas from your research?
  • Are you more interested in your subject than you’ve ever been?
  • Can you see the implications of your research on the world around you?

STEP 1

Consider the type of research paper you are writing.
Is it a narrative, descriptive, expository, cause and effect, compare and contrast, argumentative, persuasive, or synthesis piece? Look at the various formats of essays at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).

STEP 2

Build your outline. 
Did your teacher provide you with a graphic organizer? If so, consider it while you develop an outline. If you prepare a detailed outline before writing, your essay will write itself. Visit the webpage below from OWL for tips on how to build an exhaustive outline. 

Line of Reasoning

Click on the photo to zoom.

STEP 3

Review your research and develop your thesis statement. 

STEP 4

Start writing!
Write your essay in the following order: Body paragraphs, essay review/conclusion, introduction and background information. Body paragraphs generally consist of a topic sentence, an introduction to quotation, quotation, analysis, and transition sentence or 3+ TIQA/evidence-based paragraphs.
Tip: Try to avoid using quotations as much as you can. Instead, summarize or paraphrase. Putting work into your own words helps you to remember and engage with your research. 

Library Books

Additional Resources

The SJND Miller Library's mission is to provide you with diverse resources to meet your information needs and curiosities; empower you to take initiative in furthering the depth and breadth of your education; teach you how to locate, access, evaluate, use, and properly cite information sources; and help you become a compassionate, discerning, and self-directed lifelong learner.