Solution: Y o u can't argue two sides of the issue if your topic has only one side. Get a new topic that is controversial (without being offensive, of course!). 7. Is the topic too new? Problem: If the topic is too fresh, such as the Starr Report, there may not be sufficient information available yet to fill a paper on your specific subtopics. Solution: Find a topic that affords you sufficient information to cover the issue thoroughly. 8. Do I like my topic enough to want to write a research paper on it? Problem: Your teacher likes your topic, your par- ents like your topic, your buddies like your topic. Even your dog likes your topic. The problem? You don't like your topic. Solution: Y o u guessed it: Get a new topic. In Chapter 4, you'll explore how to write a thesis state- ment. That way, you'll learn how to keep your writing on tar- get. 27 [...]... Dewey developed a system that is used by most elementary schools, high schools, and small public libraries today His classification system, published in 1876, divided nonfiction books into ten broad categories, as follows: 00 0-0 99 10 0-1 99 20 0-2 99 30 0 -3 99 40 0-4 99 50 0-5 99 60 0-6 99 70 0-7 99 80 0-8 99 90 0-9 99 General works such as encyclopedias Philosophy Religion (including mythology) Social sciences (including... computer terminal to read a book, either Since it takes time to write and publish books, they tend to be reliable sources, but more on that in Chapter 12 Right now, you'll learn how to find the books you need to complete your research Classification of Books The books you use for research papers fall into two main categories: fiction and nonfiction • • Fiction works (novels and short stories) are cataloged... key words for your topic that you'll use to search for sources This helps you focus your efforts right on your topic Example: Key words for a research paper on Charlotte Perkins Gilman's"The Yellow Wall-Paper" might look like this: Gilman, Charlotte Perkins (author) "The Yellow Wall-Paper" (title) Mental illness (a topic in the story) Nineteenth-century medicine (another important topic) Feminism (a... Magazines On-line sources Pamphlets Primary sources (letters, diaries, etc.) R e v i e w s o f books, movies, plays, a n d T V shows Surveys Yearbooks 42 Chapter 6 How Do I Use Books for My Research Paper? Be sure you go to the author to get at his meaning, not to find yours JOHN HUSKIN For many students, books are an indispensable part of research For starters, books are "user-friendly"; it's easy to open... materials Can't think of any synonyms or related terms for your research topic? Check the Library of Congress Guide to Subject Headings This set of reference books identifies the subject headings used by the Library of Congress It can help you find key words as well as related terms 3 Learn the lingo Nearly every research tool has an abbreviation-or two! Examples: The Dictionary of Library Biography is abbreviated... to evaluate each source individually This is covered in Chapter 10 Some topics, in contrast, require one type of material more than the other Example: A research paper on intelligence will likely use secondary sources; a paper on Vietnam, in contrast, might draw more on primary materials Basic Search Strategy Before we get into how to use specific resources, let's cover the general guidelines for research. .. the call desk, and wait for someone to retrieve the book for you Some libraries have a mix of open and closed stacks Whether the stacks are open or closed, be sure to copy down the call number exactly as it appears in the card catalog Otherwise, it is very hard-if not impossible-for you to find the book Don't try to remember all the digits in the number as you rush to the stacks Jot it down Most libraries... by the author's bias 39 Secondary Sources: • May offer a broader perspective than primary sources • Tend to be less immediate than primary sources • May be affected by the author's bias Effective research papers often use a mix of both primary and secondary sources Example: A research paper on the history of comic books might include: Primary sources, such as interviews with editors from the industry,... your research paper? All the information you need is probably available, but you must know how to locate and sort the useful facts from the useless ones And with much out there, knowing how to do research can save you many frustrating hours in the library Let's start this process by examining the different kinds of material you can find Primary and Secondary Sources All research can be sorted into two... secondary sources It is important to know the distinction between these two types of sources because they affect how you gather research PRIMARY SOURCES Primary sources are those created by direct observation The writers were participants in or observers of the events they describe Examples: Primary sources include: Autobiographies Diaries Eyewitness accounts 38 Interviews Historical records and documents . available yet to fill a paper on your specific subtopics. Solution: Find a topic that affords you sufficient information to cover the issue thoroughly. 8. Do I like my topic enough to want to write. your topic. Solution: Y o u guessed it: Get a new topic. In Chapter 4, you'll explore how to write a thesis state- ment. That way, you'll learn how to keep your writing on tar- get divided nonfiction books into ten broad categories, as follows: 00 0-0 99 General works such as encyclopedias 10 0-1 99 Philosophy 20 0-2 99 Religion (including mythology) 30 0 -3 99 Social sciences (including