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English 1109: English 1109

Writing and Research: How to get started

Many instructors may provide you with a broad topic for you to research. Use these tips to help understand the broad topic and then narrow it down to something more specific for your paper or project.

  • Find general, background, or introductory information on your topic. (Sometimes CQ Researcher is helpful, linked below.)
  • Use your textbook, in-class articles, and terms your professors use to find information.
  • Meet with your instructor if you are having trouble finding a topic.
  • Look at both sides of an issue regardless of what position you are taking. (Check out Opposing Viewpoints, below.)
  • READ! Spend a large amount of time reading the information you find. It will help you understand your topic better, and allow you to make well-informed arguments.

The Research Process

Library Instruction Coordinator

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Rebecca Penrose
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Office: WSL 116B
661.654.2114
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CQ Researcher a collection of weekly research reports on recent news topics and issues of broad interest in the public policy sphere. Reports address a wide variety of subjects, including health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.

Opposing Viewpoints -  allows researchers to read the overview of a topic, featured viewpoints, view infographics, videos, news, and read articles from academic journals.  Researchers can browse by issue, visualize connections between search terms and topics, and view relevant articles for those topics through the 'Topic Finder' resource.

Gale eBooks - browse by subject or search the full catalog.