After you receive your assignment, make a schedule that divides your research assignment into small, manageable tasks. There is no way that you can do every step the day (or even a few days) before the assignment is due, so give yourself a reasonable amount of time.
You can use the following schedule as a model for making your own.
SAMPLE RESEARCH ESSAY SCHEDULE
|
Assignment: |
(Write out what your instructor has assigned.) |
Length: _______________
Draft due date: ______________
Final due date:_______________
My general topic: _______________
My narrowed topic: _______________
| STEP | DO BY |
|---|---|
| Choose a topic. | _____ |
| Find and evaluate sources. | _____ |
| Take notes, keeping publication information for each source. | _____ |
| Write a working thesis statement by answering a research question. | _____ |
| Review all notes; choose the best support for your working thesis. | _____ |
| Make an outline that includes your thesis and support. | _____ |
| Write a draft, including a title. | _____ |
| Review the draft; get feedback; add more support if needed. | _____ |
| Revise the draft. | _____ |
| Prepare a works cited list using correct documentation form. | _____ |
| Edit the revised draft. | _____ |
| Submit the final copy. | _____ |