English essay writing manual for school students
Many students are nervous about starting a research paper because they just don't know how to begin. This is what leads to high levels of procrastination. But the tips below will show you how to take the first few vital steps. Following these steps will give you the confidence you need to get started right off the bat, with every project:
- Preview your topic.
- Familiarize yourself with the library.
Your assignment details will let you know how many sources you need, what types of sources are permissible, etc... Teachers may prohibit certain source due to their being inherently unreliable. Some instructors have blanket rules that internet searches are not allowed, merely because they want students to rely on scholarly journals and books. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use the internet as a stepping off point from which to find scholarly information.
Often students will begin work on a project and a topic about which they know nothing. They will be given a topic with which they are unfamiliar, or they may select a topic themselves, but still require preliminary investigations in order to understand the background to it. It is perfectly reasonable to use the internet to familiarize yourself with the basics of your topic prior to delving into the official paper. You can use generic sites or article directories to get a personal preview before you begin.
If you have a school library or local library, familiarize yourself with them. If your topic is large, you may need to visit a big college library or nearby public library in a big city. It might be helpful to get to know the layout of the library before you rush over to get a book on a deadline. Librarians are also a useful resources and are there to answer any questions you may have or show you how to find the document or book you need. You can familiarize yourself with the film collections, reference desk, or historical collections long before you start your research. Ask where these things are located or how to work the microfiche machine so that when you visit for the purposes of research, you will be one step ahead of the game.