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ENC 0022 - Developmental Writing (Plant City): The Research Process

This guide is intended to assist with the research component of College Prep Writing.

Follow These Steps

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Start early.
  • Work from the general (simple) to the specific (more complex).
  • For your search terms, think of keywords and phrases, not whole sentences, that describe your topic.
  • Keep a preliminary bibliography of each item you find, even if you don't know whether you will ultimately use it.
  • Include the subject you're researching, the source that you found (book, article, website, etc.), and a note about or quotation from it.
  • Record your notes in a consistent format, and keep them all in one place (online, on your device or on paper).
  • Stay organized to save time and frustration.
  • Look! When viewing online library resources, look closely at the screen to find useful tools for students, such as a citation helper, translator, MP3 audio, etc.
  • When you need help, Ask a Librarian!