by George Brosi

Academic papers are argument papers. In your paper you are trying to present the most convincing possible argument for your thesis. Thus you need to look closely at all your sources to see what they really are arguing. Ask yourself, what thesis is this source trying to prove? Then, how is this source proving it? In other words, what are the lines of argument of this source. Remember that ordinarily people argue both positively and negatively. Some arguments are meant purely as proof of the thesis statement. Others are presented to counteract opposing arguments.

One of the most helpful ways to spend time as you do research is to write down very briefly on a separate piece of paper all the answers to your research question which you encounter followed by the lines of argument you find to support them. Then as you look at a new source you can determine whether it is speaking to the question you are addressing in the first place, and, if so, whether it is re-hashing arguments you already have thought of or advancing new ones. Also you can determine whether it is shining new light on old arguments.

Most researchers read the first few articles all the way through to get well grounded on the facts and the arguments. After considerable reading on the subject is done, much predicable writing is often found. Thus, after a while, the researcher begins to screen out duplicate materials. This is best done by reading the first and last paragraphs of the article and quickly looking through the body of the essay. It should have a meaningful introduction and conclusion which should tell you whether it has introduced any information or lines of argument new to you. Sometimes, however, other writers are not as well organized as you, so it is wise to scan the body of the article as well.

When you look at a new source, you are seeking new arguments and new lines of argument to use in advancing your thesis. At the same time, you hope to glean some material directly useful for your paper from each source, you are also engaged in a search for additional appropriate sources. Be sure to note carefully the other researchers and thinkers referred to by the article you are scanning. Also check for bibliographies, notes, or other references to other written materials.

It is discouraging when the library you are using does not have the source which looks like just what you need or when a source turns out to be merely a lesser repetition of what you already know, but that it what brings excitement to finding the sources which truly are useful. Research is not quick and easy, but it is ultimately quite rewarding.