Planning & Brainstorming

Planning, time management, and brainstorming are important early tasks in the research and writing process. We have gathered resources from our collection and from the Web to help you.

Library Materials

• Books About Planning Your Time
  How do you fit writing a research paper into a busy schedule? Browse these books for some good advice on planning your time.
• Books with Ideas for a Research Paper
  Need an idea for your paper? Browse these titles to explore the possibilities.

Web Sites

• A+ Research and Writing: Getting Started
  Look at steps 1 through 3 for advice on getting started, choosing a topic, and forming a focus. This step-by-step guide is hosted by the Internet Public Library.
• Writing a Research Paper: Introduction to a Topic
  Not sure how to start thinking about your topic? Read this section from an online workshop hosted by the OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue. Also, review the sections on scope and thesis or question before you continue.

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Research & Citing Your Sources

Finding good, reliable sources will help you establish a foundation on which to support your thesis. When you choose a source for your paper, remember to document it correctly for your works cited list or bibliography. Here, we have found guides and manuals to help you.

Online Library Resources

• Info Paths
  Info Paths are helpful guides developed by librarians for information in a variety of formats. You will find information on a wide range of popular topics.
• Online Databases by Subject
  When you are searching for the most current information about any topic, use an online database to search magazines, academic journals, newspapers, and reference sources. To use these databases from home, you will need a library card in good standing and a PIN.

Library Materials

• Books About Writing a Research Paper, Plus Citation Style Manuals
  These books will help you with understanding the overall process of writing a research paper and how to cite your sources.
• The Chicago Manual of Style
  This is another popular and flexible style manual used in the humanities and other fields. Some teachers may ask you to cite your sources in this style.
• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
  For most high school and first-year college students, this is the manual that you will use to cite your sources and format your paper.
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
  For researchers in the social sciences, this is the most frequently used style manual.

Web Sites

• A+ Research and Writing: Step 4 - Gathering Information
  Step 4 of this guide created by the Internet Public Library will help you when you are ready to gather sources for your paper. Also, check out step 5 for help with forming your thesis statement.
• The Internet Public Library
  The online public library designed to serve the needs of the Internet community. This is another place to find online sources.
• Librarians' Internet Index
  A useful resource with Web sites and content selected by librarians. Use this site to find online sources.
• Research and Documentation
  This is the online version of the booklet, Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age by Diana Hacker. It features guides for documenting sources using MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE styles. It will also demonstrate the proper way to format your paper.
• Research and Documenting Sources
  This is a list of resources offered by the OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue that will help you with finding sources and documenting them.
• WorksCited4U
  A free online bibliography builder using MLA, APA or Chicago formatting.
• Writing a Research Paper: Research
  In this section of the online workshop at the OWL, you will learn how to locate and select sources for your paper. Also, ask a librarian if you need help.

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Writing & Revising Your Paper

Now that you have your thesis and your research sorted out, you are ready to write. In this section, we have collected resources about the process of writing and revising your paper. Ask a classmate or teacher to proofread your paper, too.

Computer Classes

• Writing an Effective Research Paper
  Attend a computer class and learn how to write effective research papers. Join this interactive class and receive hands-on practice using Microsoft Word. Sign up today!

Library Materials

• Books About the Writing Process
  Whether you need help with grammar or proofreading, these books will help you.
• DVDs About the Writing Process
  We also have a collection of DVDs that will help with your writing. Be sure to check out the Upgrade Your Writing series.

Web Sites

• A+ Research and Writing: Step 6 - Writing the Paper
  In step 6 of the A+ guide by the Internet Public Library, you will find help with writing your first draft. Remember, revision is essential to creating an excellent paper.
• General Writing Concerns
  This section of the OWL (Online Writing Lab) will help you write and revise your paper. It also includes tips on overcoming writer's block and other kinds of writer's anxiety.
• Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling
  This is a great quick reference for the basic rules of grammar and punctuation provided by the OWL (Online Writing Lab) from Purdue.

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Useful Resources

In addition to the other books, Web sites, and online library resources we’ve bookmarked for you, here are a few useful all-in-one resources.

Online Library Resources

• Greenwood Skills Center
  Located in the Skills Center: Student Resources section of the Pop Culture Universe, this database offers short guides on writing different kinds of papers, including a comparative essay, book review, and research paper.
• Homework Help Databases
  Not sure which database to use? Try a database from the Homework Help section.
• Info Path: Literary Criticism Resources
  This guide will help you locate print resources in the Library for literary criticism.
• LearnATest: Online Writing Practice
  Practice and develop your writing skills through these practice sessions offered through the LearnATest database.
• Literature Resource Center
  This database contains biographical information on more than 124,000 writers, information on authors appearing in Contemporary Literary Criticism Select and 11,700+ biocritical essays on authors and their works.
• SIRS Knowledge Resource
  Use the Educator's Resources from this database to cite sources, create outlines, and write research papers for both students and teachers.

Web Sites

• A+ Research and Writing
  The Internet Public Library developed this easy, step-by-step guide to writing a research paper. Specific sections of this site were referenced throughout this virtual gallery.
• The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing
  This extensive all-in-one site focuses on guidance for college students, but it is also very helpful for high school students writing a research paper.
• The OWL at Purdue
  The Online Writing Lab at Purdue offers guides, handouts, and self-paced workshops on writing a research paper, grammar, and citing a source. Specific sections of this site were referenced throughout this virtual gallery.

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