CR11 Planning and Research

Invention Strategies

Write down all the possible topics when considering

Evaluating Possible Topics

Interesting

The topic must interest the audience

Debatable

Choose a topic that can be seen from more than one perspective

Not Too Bored

The more specific your topic, the better the resulting essay

Not Too Narrow

The subject will be too narrow if a writer can cover the subject in a paragraph or even in a single page

Not Too Unconventional

Look first for a cause that is not too hard to accept when offering an explanation

Databases

Some databases may be available only in the library; others may be accessible all over campus

To search for books, videos, or periodical publications, use the library catalog

Features that appear in many databases:

Keyword or Subject Searching

Searching for More Than One Concept

Limiting a Search

Truncating Search Terms with Wild Cards

Options for Saving Records

Encyclopedias

Offer quick reviews of topics and easy access to factual information

Have excellent selective bibliographies

Statistical Resources

Used as evidence in an argument

U.S. Bureau of the Census

Produces a wealth of statistical data

Other Federal Agencies

Gather statistical data

United Nations

Opinion Polls

Some of these are available in libraries

Government Resources

Beyond statistics, government agencies compile and publish a wealth of information

Web-Based Sources

Helpful if you are looking for information about organizations, current events, political debates, popular culture, or government-sponsored research and activities

Multimodal Sources

The Internet may give you ideas for livening up your own work with all sorts of visuals

Note Taking and Prewriting

Prewriting helps you analyze the ideas you record from outside sources

Working with Your Outline

As you take notes, also remember to refer to your outline to ensure that you are acquiring sufficient data to support all the points you intend to raise

Managing and Documenting Sources

Taking notes using a computer gives you more flexibility than using pen and paper alone

Keeping Research on Track

Focus your investigation on building your argument

Look for at least 2 pieces of evidence to support each point you want to make

Use a variety of sources

Be sure your sources are authoritative

Do not let your sources' opinion outweigh you own

Do not ignore information that opposes the position you plan to support

Be sure to use the right number of sources

Sketching a Preliminary Outline

An outline is usually not written in complete sentences

Types of Sources

Primary Research

Primary sources are firsthand information

Secondary Research

Secondary sources provide commentary on and analysis of a topic

Evaluating Sources for Relevance

The sources you find provide useful information that you nees for your paper and help you support the claims

Evaluating Sources for Reliability

Make a more in-depth evaluation once you selected some useful sources to support your claims

Rottenberg, Annette T. and Donna Haisty Winchell. Elements of Argument: A Text and Reader. 11th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2003/2015