Moving from nuggets of information to a smooth, persuasive analysis or argument is the most challenging part of the research process. Though every writer’s habits of mind are different, you’ll probably cycle through four basic activities: interpreting your sources, refining your thesis, organizing your ideas, and forming a draft.

Interpret Your Sources. On their own, your source notes are only pieces of information. They need your interpretation to transform them into effective evidence. What does each mean in the context of your paper? Is it strong enough to bear the weight of your claim? Do you need more evidence to shore up an interesting but ambiguous fact? Keep your sources in their supporting role and your voice in the lead. Alternate statements and support to sustain this balance.

Refine Your Thesis. Your thesis clearly, precisely states the point you want to make. It helps you decide what to say and how to say it. When it is clear to your readers, it prepares them for your scope and general message.

If you’ve used a working thesis to guide your research, sharpen and refine it before drafting, even if you change it later. Explicitly stating it in your opening is only one option. Sometimes you can craft your opening so that readers know exactly what your thesis is even though you only imply it. (Check this option with your instructor if you’re unsure about it.) Make your thesis precise and concrete; don’t claim more than you can show. If your paper is argumentative — you take a stand, propose a solution, or evaluate something — make your stand, solution, or appraisal clear.

Organize Your Ideas. It isn’t enough for your paper to describe your research steps or to string data together in chronological order. Instead, you need to report the significance of what you found out. If you began with a clear research question, select and organize your evidence to answer it. But don’t be afraid to reorganize around a new question.

If your material resists taking shape, arrange your source notes or archive in an order that makes sense. Then this sequence becomes a plan to follow as you write. Or write out an informal or formal outline, perhaps using your software’s outline tool. If you lack source notes for a certain section, reconsider your plan, or seek other sources to fill the gap.

Begin to Draft. An outline is only a skeleton until you flesh it out with details. Use yours as a working plan, but change the subdivisions or sequence if you discover a better way as you draft. Even if everything isn’t in perfect order, get something down on paper. Start at the beginning or wherever you feel most comfortable. Try also to connect the parts of your paper. For example, summarizing the previous section will refresh readers’ memories, especially in a long paper.