Academic Writing

Session Two – Researching a Topic

 Knowing how to research
effectively is one of the core
skills of essay writing
First step in researching:

• Think about the topic

• Brainstorm ideas
• Think of key words or terms
• Generate alternatives –
synonyms
• Do a search for key terms
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Concept map

Use picture,
diagrams, flow
charts, graphs.
Use words,
sounds.

Learn as a whole
Sequential
Spatial learning rather than step-
learning
by-step.

Space-oriented
Time-oriented Will not easily
remember
something if it is
simply said to
them
 Preliminary Reading
• Find synonyms for your content and limiting
words (a thesaurus can help!)
• Find sources of information
• Find well-known authors in your field

These tips will help you introduce yourself to

the topic and prepare for database and
catalogue searching
 Exercise
Apply whichever you feel more
comfortable with – brainstorming, mind
mapping, listing ideas or finding
synonyms to your own essay question.

This should help you find ideas when

researching in the library or online.
 Where can I find sources?

• Databases, such as Proquest, Expanded

Academic ASAP and JSTOR
• Online searches, such as Google, Google
scholar
• Web of Knowledge
• Library catalogue
 Relevant Sources

• Significant to your topic

• Relevant to your argument
• Comparable with other
sources
 Current Sources
 Must be evaluated according
to the essay topic
 Some topics need up-to-date
information
 Others require comparisons
with the past
 Reliable Sources
 Is the author a recognised authority in the
field?
 Does the author have institutional backing?
 Are conclusions backed up by solid evidence ?
(check references)
 Are conclusions balanced?
 Are conclusions comparable to other sources?
 Is the source academically written and
presented?
 Process of Researching a Topic
• Find reliable, academic sources on your topic
• Read enough to get an idea of what writers are
saying; what are the issues, problems, range of
views?
• Take careful notes
• Start to work out your own position
• Find more sources that discuss particular issues
• Work out how you will answer your question
 Next sessions

• Planning and Outlining Your Essay

• Referencing

* Check writing tasks