Research notes

Research – Chapter Four
Though not essential, the preference is for researchers to consult secondary sources before selecting a specific topic
Stay focused on your topic
Remember you are not writing a biography.
You need to find a topic such as the sample paper on p. 73
Make your thesis specific enough to make the paper manageable.
Ex. The use of color symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby not only enhances the meaning of the text, but allows additional insights to his complex characters.
Evaluate sources
Look for credentials. You do not want sources that would not be considered authoritative.
Think of .org or .edu if you wish to use sources that you googled.
Look at sponsorship of the site and any other motives that may be hidden in the web site.
Try not to go back farther than 5 years, 10 years at the most so your material will be relatively current.
Be sure to correctly cite any source. Get the bibliographic information as soon as you find the source as the internet can be fluid.
Reference Databases
You will want to use as many of these as possible.
Use the TJC library’s online databases for most of your material.
Historical societies for literary works/authors may be helpful too.
(Such as the Kate Chopin website we looked at recently)
Taking Notes
Note cards work for some people but are very time consuming.
Preference is to highlight items on copies and compose an outline and then your paper from there.
Summarizing
Condense the main part into your own words.
Do most of your writing like this.
Remember that you must still credit the original source for the material.
Think of one or two sentences of your words for each paragraph of the original text’s words.
Paraphrase
A paraphrase is as long as the original text material, but placed in your words.
Use this rarely – only when the material is so perfect for your argument that you must have it all!
Limit quotes, and use only one or two long quotes in the entire paper. (Four or more typed lines, indented an additional five spaces from the original margin)
Organize notes
Prepare a working outline before drafting.
Group ideas – remember you are using the research to prove YOUR point and YOUR argument, not someone else’s
Prepare a counter argument with sources to back up your ideas also.
Working Outline
Thesis:
Introduction
General symbolism in novel
Thematic connection to color
Use of seasons
Coordinating character association
Counterargument
A. Critics that do not support the idea
B. Counter anaylsis
V. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis
B. Project further analysis points




Integrating Sources
Use in text citations and be sure each one corresponds with your works cited list.
Blend the researched material with your words, and end with a parenthetical reference.
As the novel progresses to its close, the characters "learn the tragedy of insensitivity in the most dire conditions" (Charlton 22).

Document
At least once per paragraph (except the introduction and conclusion if they are entirely your words)
Immediately after any direct quote, whether it is short or long.
Material from your primary source also as you have done in recent papers. (page number following a sentence with embedded quotes utilizing the author’s name)
Avoid Plagiarism
Do not carelessly or deliberately use the author’s words as your own.
Make obvious changes please.
Quote if you cannot change the passage enough.
Try embedding short quotes with your words.
Format
Follow MLA style.
P. 71 and 72 in text for margins and spacing.
See sample paper p. 73-79.
Long quote set up p. 75-6 (note the author’s name is in the introductory sentence prior to the quote, so the page number only is included). If you don’t do that, cite with the author and page number in your parenthetical reference.
Works Cited
Alphabetize by the author’s last name and/or title of the unauthored text (other than a, an or the).
Pay attention to the hanging indent.