Topic Selection

• Do you understand the assignment? Your teacher may give you a list of possible topics or let you choose your own. Be sure you know your options.

• Think of key words, synonyms or phrases to focus your search. A general encyclopedia might help.

• Use 99 Jumpstarts to Research or the Sears Subject Headings books for ideas.

• Try the Library of Congress Online Catalog or Topic-O-Rama

• Is there a subject you're really interested in? Have you read or heard something that made you curious? Is there a topic that will help you choose a career? Are you passionate about an issue?

Ask Questions

• Different types of questions to ask yourself.

• What do I already know? What do I want to find out? How can I find what I need?

• Write your thesis statement- Thesis Builder

Choose Your Sources- Keep Note Cards for Each One!

• Reference Books, Books, Bibliographies BHS Online Catalog

• Magazines, Newspapers- print or online

• Videos, DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs

• Interviews

• Databases BHS Media Center Research Page

• Search engines, Directories

• Survey/Questionnaire

• Other sources: associations, organizations, clubs, businesses, banks, churches, government agencies (federal, state, local), hospitals, museums, zoos/wildlife sanctuaries

Evaluate Online Sources for Accuracy

• Look for an author(s) & ways to contact them; the purpose- is it biased, is there a lot of advertising; content-age appropriate, is it current; organization- easy to search; technical aspects-links work, pictures/symbols appropriate

• Go to urbanlegends.about.com or easywhois.com

Get Organized

• Think about the information you collected

• Write different kinds of cards- direct quotes, paraphrases, summaries

• Organize your note cards

• Make an outline of the information you want to present- Notetaker

Rough Draft

• Have a friend or classmate check your paper for errors or things they don't understand

• Look at the corrections your teacher suggests.

• Fix any problems before turning in the project.

• DO NOT turn in a re-typed rough draft!

Cite Your Sources

• If it's not something everybody knows or your own original creative thought, you must cite your source!

• Are you supposed to use MLA or APA style? Slate Citation Machine or EasyBib will help.

• Write Source MLA Site will explain the different types of resources.

• Title the page correctly: Works Cited, Bibliography or References