This is the first stage of your research. You may start with a broad subject for research, but eventually you need to narrow your focus to a more specific one.

• Find background information

• Choose a good topic

• Identify key sources

• Evaluate your sources

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The next step is to find out general information about your chosen topic. At this stage you can conduct a light internet search or read Encyclopedia articles about your topic.

• Find background information

• Choose a good topic

• Identify key sources

• Evaluate your sources

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

At this stage, your research will become more focused as you explore your chosen aspect in more detail. Make a list of key questions you want to answer through your research.

• Find background information

• Choose a good topic

• Identify key sources

• Evaluate your sources

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

At this stage, you will check your information to see if it is relevant and reliable.

• Find background information

• Choose a good topic

• Identify key sources

• Evaluate your sources

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Once you have decided on the arguments that you will make in your essay, use your strongest sources to support them.

• Find background information

• Choose a good topic

• Identify key sources

• Evaluate your sources

• Use strong sources as supporting evidence

When you use external sources for evidence to support your thesis in your essay, you need to credit them properly.

• Find background information

• Cite sources correctly in your paper

• Identify key sources

• Evaluate your sources

• Use strong sources as supporting evidence

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

If you could ask an animal a question, what would it be?

• What time is it?

• What does the fox say?

• Why did the chicken cross the road?

• How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Read through the writing prompt carefully to make sure you understand the paper’s requirements. In fact, it’s a good idea to read the prompt several times.

• Choose an Idea

• Understand the Writing Assignment

• Narrow the Topic

Once you understand the writing assignment, you should choose one idea to focus on. Pick an idea that interests you based on the prompt. You can search Internet sources to find general information about the topic. Then use reliable online and print sources of information to look for more focused ideas.

• Choose an Idea

• Understand the Writing Assignment

• Narrow the Topic

It’s important to choose a topic that you can cover within the length of your writing assignment. Often, you will have to specify the topic to a more specific idea.

• Choose an Idea

• Understand the Writing Assignment

• Narrow the Topic

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1