Research as Inquiry

One part of writing that many struggle with is incorporating research in with their own ideas and thoughts. From not knowing where to put a quote to failing to paraphrase ideas to make another’s words and thoughts work with your own, adding research to a paper can be one of the most difficult tasks writers face, but one that can be harnessed over time.

First, and most important, is that it is imperative that you know where your words end and another author’s begin. This is where aspects of citation come in. To understand the proper citation techniques and styles, please visit the Citation Styles section of this module and information on different styles.

In addition to those citation rules, writers must master paraphrasing, summarizing, and connecting evidence back to the original thesis. Understand that these are skills that take time to master and as you face a number of starts and stops in the beginning, reach out to your professor or contact the GC Writing Center in the library.