| Online Writing Labs |
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| Notetaking |
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| Outlining |
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| Manuscript Format |
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| Grammar |
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Once you've chosen and narrowed your topic, researched it and evaluated your sources, it's time to write the paper. Most composition courses require a writing manual which can serve as a guide as you take notes, outline, write the draft and complete your paper. Several colleges and universities provide online writing information for research papers through their "online writing labs" (sometimes called OWLs). The Purdue University Online Writing Lab has several excellent resources on beginning a research paper. Among these is Prewriting (Invention), which leads students briefly through a thought process for beginning a paper. Nuts and Bolts of College Writing (for which the library has obtained permission to use) is an excellent site for those writing for any course, covers the entire process of writing a paper, from the beginning ideas to the finished product, and mechanics. Generally, begin by taking notes, always with the thought that you will have to cite each source you use in your paper. Be sure to note exactly what you will need in order to cite correctly and in the style the instructor requires (see Citing Sources). You will be guilty of plagiarism if you do not cite information garnered from the sources you use. Next, assemble your notes and prepare an outline in order to write the first draft of your paper. As you write your first draft, be sure you know which manuscript format or "style" your instructor requires you to use: MLA (Modern Language Association); APA (American Psychological Association); Turabian or Chicago. Some instructors use modified versions of these. As you proof read and revise your drafts, be sure to verify any grammar questions you might have.
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| Address
comments or questions to: gvail@pjc.edu Last updated on 11/09 |