How to Use the Internet for Researching for an EssayDecember 30, 2019

Essay writing would have been made easier after navigating the Internet for ten minutes or so. Have you been careful in researching? Are you tempted to use Wikipedia most of the time? Do you rely heavily on one source? All of these questions would determine your resourcefulness, diligence, and interest in what you have been studying.

You happen to be a History student, and you must argue on the existence of slavery and domesticity during the height of Athenian democracy. You're tempted to inject a brief discussion of Wonder Woman in popular culture after watching the pulsating trailer of "Wonder Woman 1984". You may find one or two sources that would link both, yet you may end up confusing your professor. (You're thinking of including Giganta, even Medusa, but it would be better for a topic relating to comic books. You could save it for another module, which you must request next term.) On the other hand, you're researching on a thriving art scene in Uluru, but you could encounter a brick wall. Must you travel to the remote section of the Outback? Is it worth sending emails to countless people who have been there? Are you willing to allot more time for additional reading? All of these questions would prompt you to reconsider your essay topic, and possibly make a switch. And it's not too late. You’re expected to start on your research long before your professor would assign it to you (and your coursemates). Any changes that you would make must have been planned. These two cases would give you an idea of the importance on how to use the Internet on researching for your essay assignment. You have an argument, so it's time to back it up with information.

5 Thing to Remember While Researching for Information

Paper writing is an academic exercise, so don't take Wikipedia (or any particular source) as gospel. You must be able to know all sides of the argument, which you would figure out after browsing through Wikipedia for a few hours. It's the same thing with a particular source, but you should know that anyone can edit Wikipedia (or any particular source), and that information that you thought would be right could confuse your professor. There's no limit to the number of sources that you must consider until you truly understand the instructions given by your professors. If you're a Literature student, you must have decided on what theme(s) to explore.

If you want extra points, you must pay attention to footnotes. This step would require extra effort on your part, as you must make frequent visits to the library. Footnotes would highlight references that have been discussed within the academia, and your professors would like you to look into it. Moreover, you could learn a new insight or two, which would make your argument more persuasive, if not look at it from a viewpoint that has not been seen before. Plan your schedule on this one, as it would spread yourself thin. The hard work would be wasted if you overexert yourself, if not lose sleep over it. You won’t think sharp for your next assignment (or examination).

Ask your librarian. You need someone older, if not someone more knowledgeable than you, who could assist you in this slippery, if not confusing, stage called researching. You don't want to spend too long in researching, yet you want to make sure that you didn't make the most of your time in the library. Don't hesitate to tell the librarian about the paper you're writing on, and don't be ashamed to reveal your lack of knowledge, if not you miss on something. Listening is very important here, so make a note if you're too tired to remember it. A notepad could be a lifesaver, not to mention that it's lighter than an iPad (or laptop).

Work through your reading list. It would be foolish to read the first book that you find in the library. As for the online source, you're likely to go through it. You'll be tempted to take notes, but it could turn out to be a waste of time. You should have made a list of what books and online articles to read, and then determine the number of minutes (or hours) that you would invest in each book (or article). You have examinations, chores, and errands that can't be postponed for another day (or week). You're likely to be frustrated, if not get cranky, by this time (of the year), so ask your coursemate for assistance.

Brainstorming should cut your work in half. You could do it in front of the computer screen, if not on a sheet of paper. Post-it Notes could mess up your room, if not a white board (in front of your table). You would be able to determine what you know and what information you need to know. Furthermore, you must be able to delve deeper in the topic that you're writing about. It's not only important that you guess the themes of a particular book, if not what theory does your professor want to validate (or refute), but also know what your professor wants you to gain after writing your paper. A conclusion would be insufficient, so expect to look at your messy notes many times.

More Than Words

You know the arguments too well, but you don’t know what words to use. Always keep a tab on an online dictionary, and expect to spend an hour or two in looking for synonyms (or antonyms), figuring out the right phrase (that could serve as a proverb or statement), and determine when to use a prepositional phrase. The last one would mean that not all long sentences look good on paper. It’s the same thing with your essay question, so read it many times (until you understand it). If all else fails, you must request for a one-on-one conference with your professor.

Read all articles→