Research and Writing Advice
from Gregg, at Plagiarized.com
I once heard a keynote speaker talk about the value of lazy employees. Lazy people look for the quickest and easiest way to get a job done, and they don't like to do the same job twice. I like lazy people (read: I am a lazy person). My own lazy strategy to research involves asking for help liberally. I usually start with a visit to http://groups.google.com/. I can then go to a newsgroup that deals with my topic on an academic level. I post a quick message asking for reading suggestions for my specific topic and any other help they might offer... then I wait. I usually receive quality replies within three days.
If your local library doesn't carry the material you need, you still have options!
- Use your library's Inter-Library Loan service.
- Use the Electric Library for quick access to material that you need.
- Ask for help on a newsgroup (if you don't know what those are - your best bet is to start at groups.google.com). I've had people fax me a copy of an article I couldn't find. I've even had people mail me material. (be polite, be professional, ask nicely!)
- Ask collegues or the instructor. Instructors often keep small "personal libraries" or will know where you can more easily find what you're looking for.
- Check departmental libraries. University and college (and even high school) departments often keep unofficial "libraries" for use by faculty and majoring students only.
Other advice:
- Start early. I never do - and it costs me every time.
- Starting to write without a clear and complete idea of what it is you are going to say is great - if you're writing fiction. But it can be a real challenge to produce an intelligent essay unless you plan ahead. You need to plan ahead.
- Make use of writing assistance services - even if you think your grammar is perfect. It is far better for these people to tell you your paper is no good than to find out when you receive your graded paper.
Keep your eye on the prize. While grammar, spelling, and format are important, you primarily want to produce a clear and intelligent essay. Ask yourself:
- Does my argument make sense? Will the reader understand what I am trying to say?
- Have I presented enough supporting evidence?
- Have I acknowledged other possibilities?