WRIT 1301: University Writing

Use this guide to get started with research for WRIT 1301.

Tutorial: Choosing a research paper topic

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

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: What does it mean to be a scholarly source?

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

Tutorial: Creating an effective search strategy

After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:
  • Use meaningful keywords to find the best sources
  • Apply search strategies like AND and OR to connect keywords

Use library databases to find sources from academic journals, magazines, newspapers

Search and find newspapers and magazines

 

Guide for reading magazines, current news, commentary, and opinion

This guide is a selected collection of current journals and magazines of news, commentary, and opinion. Here is a sample of what is sometimes called 'Long form journalism" -- longer, in-depth articles written by journalists but usually about or with experts like researchers or professors. They are written with less jargon then scholarly journal articles and are great sources to consult as you learn more about a topic. They feature stories about current or controversial topics. You can "browse" and read current issues or search. 

Find statistics and public opinion

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.”

Library research guides for current issues and topics

Doing research about current topics can challenging because the facts and stories continue to evolve. They are also impacted by the long and complex issues and histories underlying all events.  

The following guides might be helpful to you as you do research on your topic. 

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2023 11:25 AM