Writing a Research Paper
Planning & Brainstorming | Research & Citing Your Sources
Writing & Revising Your Paper | Useful Resources
If you are viewing this page from home, you will need your Orange County resident library card to access some of the resources.
Planning, time management, and brainstorming are important early tasks in the research and writing process. We have gathered resources from our collection and from the Web to help you.
Library Materials
Books About Planning Your Time »
Finding time to write a research paper with a busy schedule can be difficult. Browse these books for some good advice on planning your time.
Websites
A+ Research and Writing: Getting Started »
Look at steps 1 through 3 for advice on getting started, choosing a topic, and forming a focus. This step-by-step guide is hosted by the Internet Public Library.
Purdue OWL: Research Papers - Choosing a Topic »
Read this handout about selecting a topic from the Writing a Research Paper guide from the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab). Also, review the sections on Identifying an Audience and Where do I begin? before you continue.
Research & Citing Your Sources
Finding good, reliable sources will help you establish a foundation on which to support your thesis. When you choose a source for your paper, remember to document it correctly for your works cited list or bibliography. Use the guides and manuals in this section to help you with this task.
Library Online Resources
Database Derby!! »
Try out your scavenger hunting skills on this database quiz! Discover new databases that could help you with the research for your paper.
Homework Help Databases »
When you are searching for the most current information about any topic, use an online database to search magazines, academic journals, newspapers, and reference sources. To use these databases from home, you will need a library card in good standing and a PIN.
Library Materials
Books About Writing a Research Paper, Plus Citation Style Manuals »
These items will help you with understanding the overall process of writing a research paper and how to cite your sources.
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers »
Commonly known as "Turabian style," this is a popular and flexible style manual used in the humanities and other fields. Some teachers may ask you to cite your sources and format your paper in this style.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers »
For most high school and first-year college students, this is the manual that you will use to cite your sources and format your paper.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association »
For researchers in the social sciences, this is the most frequently used style manual.
Websites
A+ Research and Writing: Gathering Information »
Step 4 of this guide created by the Internet Public Library will help you when you are ready to gather sources for your paper. Also, check out Step 5: Preparing to Write for help with forming your thesis statement.
Internet Public Library »
Find additional sources with this online public library designed to serve the needs of the Internet community.
Purdue OWL: Internet References »
Find online dictionaries, encyclopedias, grammar handbooks, and other online reference tools using the Purdue OWL. See the sections for Dictionaries, Style Manuals, Grammar Handbooks, and Editing Resources, and Online References to quickly look up a definition or topic.
Purdue OWL: Research Overview »
This is a helpful guide to starting the research process from the Purdue OWL. Review the sections for Online vs. Print Publications, Types of Sources, and Primary Research.
Research and Documentation Online 5th Edition »
This is the online version of the booklet, Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age by Diana Hacker. It features guides for documenting sources using MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE styles. It also demonstrates the proper way to format your paper.
Writing & Revising Your Paper
Now that you have your thesis and your research sorted out, you are ready to write. In this section, we have collected resources about the process of writing and revising your paper. Ask a classmate or teacher to proofread your paper, too.
Library Materials
Books About the Writing Process »
Whether you need help with grammar or proofreading, these books will assist you.
DVDs About the Writing Process »
We also have a collection of DVDs that will help with your writing. Be sure to check out the Upgrade Your Writing series.
Websites
A+ Research and Writing: Writing the Paper »
In step 6 of the A+ guide by the Internet Public Library, you will find help with writing your first draft. Remember, revision is essential to creating an excellent paper.
Purdue OWL: Proofreading »
Remember to proofread your work! This is a very important step and should not be skipped. Read this guide from the Purdue OWL about revising your paper.
Purdue OWL: Writing Task Resource List »
This Resource List from the Purdue OWL is an excellent place to find various pages in one place regarding the writing process. Even if you are stuck, there is a Writer's Block/Writer's Anxiety page to help you out.
Useful Resources
In addition to the books, websites, and online resources we've bookmarked for you, here are a few useful all-in-one resources.
Library Online Resources
LearningExpress Library »
Develop your writing skills with this database through practice sessions available in middle school, high school, and college levels.
Literature Resource Center »
This database contains biographical information on more than 124,000 writers, information on authors appearing in Contemporary Literary Criticism Select, and 11,700+ bio-critical essays on authors and their works.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context »
This database analyzes current events and popular issues from opposing points of view. It includes full-text magazine and journal articles, reference sources, primary sources, and more.
Tutor.com - Student Center »
Get help with your paper from a live tutor. Use the Proof Point service to have a tutor help you review your paper for grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Virtual Galleries »
Virtual Galleries bring together selected library and Web resources about a topic or theme in one place. For students, the Mobile Resources and Continuing Education Virtual Galleries are two great places to find additional resources.
Websites
A+ Research and Writing »
This website, developed by the Internet Public Library, includes an easy to use step-by-step guide to writing a research paper. Specific sections of this site were referenced throughout this Virtual Gallery.
Greenwood Skills Center: Student Resources »
This online resource offers short guides on writing different kinds of papers, including a comparative essay, book review, and research paper.
Purdue Online Writing Lab »
The Purdue OWL offers guides, handouts, and self-paced workshops on writing a research paper, grammar, and citing a source. Specific sections of this site were referenced throughout this Virtual Gallery.
