How to conduct essay research

Understand the prompt or thesis statement

If you’re writing in response to an essay question, it’s important to understand all angles to the prompt. Note anything in the prompt that jumps out at you: important keywords, specific details, or verbs that ask you to consider the prompt. For example, if an essay prompt asks you to compare the foreign affairs policies of two presidential terms, the words “compare,” “foreign affairs,” and “terms” will jump out to you. It’s asking you to choose two political eras and examine their international relations.

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If you are developing your own thesis statement or forming an argument, then be specific and introduce a new angle to your audience. Begin with a question that you want to explore, and phrase it in a way that not only piques the reader’s interest but requires more evidence to reinforce the topic. If you are claiming that a specific author defined American literature in the 20th century, for example, then you’ll need to back this up with careful research—scholarly letters, academic papers, and critical views to bring your point home.

The importance of brainstorming

Brainstorming is vital to putting your thinking on the right track—and the best part is that it can begin with any possible idea. When you begin brainstorming, consider it a freewriting exercise: Jot down any idea that might have anything to do with your topic. If you find yourself stuck, try another brainstorming technique to get your creative juices flowing.

Use keywords from brainstorming to narrow your thesis

Pay attention to what jumps out at you and use this to find another angle. You might find yourself revising your thesis statement or approaching your essay prompt in a different direction. After you’ve further developed the bulk of your argument, use these tips to keep your essay organized. The tried-and-true format of the five-paragraph essay is an ideal way to organize your points.

Start your research

Now that you have an angle on where your essay is going, it’s time to do your research.

Whether you go online or visit your local library, it’s important to find material from credible sources, whether they come from journals, publications, or public figures.

Some sources may push their own agenda: whether they’re selling a product or service, self-promoting an expert, or spreading disinformation, you need to weed these out from your research. Here’s what to look for to find a credible source:

• A well-respected publisher, such as a paper of record (e.g., New York Times)
• Sources with multiple citations, or peer reviews
• Current, up-to-date information for contemporary news topics
• Sources from familiar organizations (e.g., Library of Congress, Encyclopedia Britannica)
• Unbiased writing, or an examination from multiple perspectives

Scholarly journals—that have been through the vetting process, i.e., reviewed by peers—can be found at databases such as JSTOR or LexisNexis. (These two may require subscriptions; see your academic institution or local library for access.)

An intelligent search engine like Microsoft Bing can also help with research. Use Bing resources to discover content related to math, science, and world history that can relay advanced concepts in easy-to-understand terms. Projects such as Microsoft Academic can bring the world of higher education research to your fingertips, through advanced AI learning as well as the sum knowledge of expert communities.

While neither writing nor research is an exact science, you can always hone your skills. Whether you want to boost your writing productivity or learn how to harness specific grammar concepts, the tips and techniques will help.