Research Guides: Organizing Research for Writing Assignments: Home

Getting Started

You've got your assignment. You've got your topic and research question. You might already have a thesis statement. You've started your research...but what do you do with all of these articles and books and videos? How are you supposed to turn them into a solid argument? This guide will help you organize what you find while doing research into a great paper.

If you need help with your research, contact a librarian! We're always happy to help you use the library's resources and discover high-quality sources.

For help with writing, at any stage of the writing process, meet with the Writing Center! They offer in-person and virtual appointments as well as video feedback.

UVU Writing Center
Make an appointment to receive one-on-one feedback on your writing at any stage of the writing process. The Writing Center also provides in-person workshops and online tutorials.
AI & Academic Assignments (Students)
"This resource, developed in conjunction with writing tutors and faculty from a range of academic backgrounds, provides general considerations about learning, policy, and practices related to AI and academic assignments. However, learners should always tailor their work to their audience and assignment guidelines." - from guide introduction

Make a Plan!

Before you dive into any research project, make sure that you understand the assignment. Do you need to argue a position? Do you need to include counterarguments or naysayers? Is this an exploratory paper? Will you need to include a literature review? What kinds of sources do you need to use? How long is the paper? Once you know the requirements, it's time to make a plan.

Here are some things to think about as you begin your research:

If you need to create an argument, what are the points in favor and the points against? You may need to search for these points individually. For example, if you want to research the best way to increase voting, you might need to look at the barriers that prevent people from voting, as well as policies that might make it easier for people to vote.
If you need to include something like a literature review, you may need to look for sources that offer an overview of your topic in addition to searching for articles that cover recent advances or changes.
Will I need to use a specific kind of source? Some library databases specialize in finding scholarly/peer-reviewed articles. Others include only newspaper articles. If you need government information, the best place to find it is online.

Once you have a plan, create a schedule! This will help you avoid procrastinating and break this big job up into manageable pieces.

A Quick Word about Topics & Research Questions

Before you jump into your research process, we have a few pieces of advice about what makes a good topic and research question. Choosing a good topic and research question can save a lot of time and frustration down the line.

Is this topic researchable? That is, can you prove your point with evidence and outside sources...or is your argument a matter of opinion?
Does the topic fit your assignment? If you have a page limit of only 2-3 pages, you're going to have to choose something very specific; otherwise, you'll run out of pages before you can get into your topic.
Is your topic interesting? Research is a lot more fun if you're looking into something you genuinely find interesting. Don't worry that you might not be able to find articles about popular culture, contemporary music, gaming, social media, your hobbies, etc. Scholars are interested in all kinds of things.

If you're not sure if your topic is viable, talk to a librarian!

Once you've got a topic idea, you're ready for the next step: background research.