The Research Process

Step 1: Chose a Topic.

Pick a topic that is not too broad and not too narrow. Also, don’t pick a topic that doesn't somewhat interest you or the process will become harder than it should be.

Step 2: Preliminary Research.

Take some time to research your topic to get a basic knowledge of it. This is where you decide if this is the correct topic for you; also, your last early chance to see if it’s too broad or too narrow.

Step 3: Research Question.

After choosing your topic, develop a question you are trying to solve or prove with your research paper.

Step 4: Research Time.

Check out some sources relating to your topic. Be sure these sources are credible and unbiased while also remaining aware of the authors and evaluating where the information is coming from. Also consider if the source is going to boost up your paper; don’t use sketchy, random web-sources—try to use sources with URL’s ending in .gov or .edu. The even better sources are peer-reviewed and coming from trusted databases.

Step 5: Organize Your Sources.

With ANY paper you write that stems off of knowledge you've gained from outside sources you have to cite where you got it. There are no loop holes for this rule—you find it, you cite it. The lucky part is that there are tons of sources that can help you cite them correctly. A website that is always highly used and recommended is Easy Bib (http://www.easybib.com/). This website helps you create bibliographies for sources used in research and even allows you to organize them in folders and projects.

Another website that can be helpful is Evernote (https://evernote.com/) which works best when using FireFox or Google Chrome. This website acts as an online notebook and is very helpful if you are struggling with organizing a lot of sources. Once you download the WebClipper (https://evernote.com/webclipper/), you can clip a whole or parts of articles being used and keep them stored a folder under your account—which takes less than a minute to create. The website keeps the URL with the article so you can go back to cite sources at any time with a click.

Step 6: Create an Outline.

Outline what you want your paper to look like including ideas, sections with topics, and your thesis statement. New sections and research can always be added on but as a way to get started an outline is extremely helpful. Try to provide a topic sentence for each paragraph to help keep you on track of the information you need and throw out the information that doesn’t have as strong of a relation.

Step 7: Write Your Paper.

You have your research and your knowledge—it’s time to get writing. Use your outline and sources to write a well-thought paper. Keep in mind, this is your first draft, you can always go back and make some changes. Be sure to stay on track and only add sources that help your topic and not anything that will distract from it.

Step 8: Editing.

Once you’ve written your paper, go back and edit it yourself, then have a friend or two edit it; the more editors, the better. Be sure to double-check that all of your bibliographies are written and formatted correctly. When you think your paper is done with the editing process, use the corrections and comments to turn it into a final draft.

Step 9: Final Draft.

This is the last step of the process, the moment has come! Re-read your paper a few times and then, if possible, wait until the next day to look at it again. Make any last minute minor changes if you need to and submit your paper.

Sources:

Pittman, Joseph. "Conducting Preliminary Research." Prezi.com. N.p., 6 Apr. 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.

Science of Persuation

The purpose of this blog is to inform readers of different styles of writing and other knowledge gained in my Contemporary Communications class. Enjoy!

Rhetoric: The art of using language persuasively.

Exigency: what you want to accomplish with your persuasion.

Logos: Logic; relies on statistics, facts, evidence, situations.

Pathos: Emotions; relies on personal anecdotes, emotional accounts.

Ethos: Character; relies on ethics, morals, image, etiquette.

Science of Persuasion:

Reciprocity: they give you something, you give something back. An example of this in Devil in the White City is when Burnham and Holmes make guarantees and promises to the people they work around in order to get what they want.


Scarcity: people want more of what there is less of. Burnham, in Devil in the White City, uses scarcity in to his advantage to create more of a drive to workers to finish the fair building on time.


Authority: people follow the lead of credible people. In the novel, men and women who entered H.H. Holmes pharmacy had trust in him considering his status, when the reader knows his true being—which in fact, is not to be trusted at all.


Consistency: looking for commitments that can be made. In the novel, Burnham appeals to his workers to gain commitments by telling them how amazing and known the fair will be when finished.


Liking: similar people, compliments, mutual ideas. In the novel, H.H. Holmes creates a liking for himself by charming and persuading people. Many women are allured by him and like him due to his rhetoric.


Consensus: people look to the actions of others to decide their own. In the novel, “Every Chicago resident who could read devoured these reports from abroad”; these reports being the ones that described the stunning nature of the fair. (pg. 70)




Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City. New York: Crown, 2003. Print