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Mullins, Rebecca ENG101

Getting Started

  • Make a framework of your idea
  • Write a thesis statement
  • Write each supporting topic as a thesis statement for its own paragraph
  • Identify keywords that you will use from these statements to look for resources
  • Create a Boolean search strategy for each search
  • Read each resource fully before working with it
  • Take notes, don't open your draft essay until after you have read everything

Adding Research to a Paper

Adding Research Effectively

  • use a first-pass search to help plan what subtopics you will discuss

  • use a notes file to recall which citations or quotes stood out to you from the articles you read

  • transfer the written elements over to your MLA style essay draft when ready

  1. Formulate a Great Thesis
    • specific
    • understandable
  2. Find Resources[a pixel library representation]
  3. Read Resources, then Stop/ Search Again / Use & Read Sources for Note Taking - How do you want to use this resource?
  4. Write Your Draft Out of Order
    • write your support paragraphs FIRST
    • write the introduction and conclusion LAST 
  • copy and paste, copy and paste, copy and paste [a pixel clown representation]
  • cite anything in the opening sentence of any paragraph
  • summarize a lot, give a lot of unrelated facts and ideas