WRIT 1401: Writing and Academic Inquiry

Getting started - planning and finding background info on topic

Finding Background Information

These online sources can help you to choose and refine your topic. They will also provide you with the background information and keywords and search terms.

Tutorial: Choosing a research paper topic

Choosing a research paper topic tutorial video. 4 minutes.
After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:
  • Find ideas and language on a topic using online tools and techniques
  • Use techniques like mind mapping, the 5W’s, and freeform writing to narrow a large topic

Find articles using article databases

Citing your sources (e.g. MLA, APA, etc.)

Many article databases (e.g. Academic Search Premier, Google Scholar) will create a citation for you. After you found the item, look for "cite" or "quotes." Here are examples:

In Google Scholar:

Click the "quote" below the item in Google Scholar.

In Academic Search Premier: 

Click cite in Academic Search Premier.

 

Learn more about on annotated bibliographies 

Annotated Bibliography from UW-Madison

An annotated bibliography is an organized list of sources, each of which is followed by a brief note or “annotation.”

Get help from the U Libraries - Online!

Tutorial: What does it mean to be a scholarly source?

What does it mean to be a scholarly source tutorial video. 4 minutes.
After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:
  • Recognize a scholarly (versus a popular) source
  • Understand how a scholarly source differs from other types of sources
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2024 10:26 AM