This document provides guidance on starting a research paper, including [1] distinguishing assignment words to understand the task, [2] narrowing a broad topic to a specific focus through considering people, places, times, events or perspectives, and [3] developing a thesis statement to outline what will be explored within limits. It also offers tips for brainstorming search keywords, such as considering word variations, synonyms, related terms, antonyms and groups or individuals involved.

1. Star ting your research paper
Credit: Waikato Information Skills Education and used with permission: ©
2009 The University of Waikato Library :
http://www.waikato.ac.nz/library/learning/wise/Module2

2. Distinguishing assignment words
A critique/analysis of a book such as The Woman’s Bible by Elizabeth
Cady Stanton
A study of a major female character, such as Sarah Grimke or
Hildegard of Bingen
An exploration of women, religion and food taboos
• Task words provide instructions on how to approach an
assignment e.g. “exploration”, analysis, compare, discuss,
evaluate.
• Keywords convey the significant meaning of a topic e.g.
“women”, “religion,” “food taboos” etc.

3. Narrowing an assignment topic - e.g.
Temperance
Most topics are very broad and require that you choose
a particular focus.
Who – is there a specific person/people/group on
which to focus?
e.g. Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Canada?
Where – is there a geographical aspect to the topic?
e.g. Europe? North America? Canada? Maritimes?
When – is there a particular timeframe or period of
interest?
e.g. 19 th century? Early 20 th century?
What – is there a specific event or set of circumstances
involved?
e.g. Prohibition ? Education programs? Women’s suffrage?
How – is there a particular point of view to use?
e.g. Gender roles? Women’s participation in leadership?

4. Develop your thesis statement
• A thesis statement should be the most concise
declaration of what you are trying to prove.
• Show how relevant your thesis statement is to the
topic. Keep your topic precise. Let the reader know
what you will explore and what are the limits that
you will not explore during the course of your essay.
• Your thesis statement should guide the outline of
your essay.

5. Brainstorming for search keywords
• The keywords identified in an assignment do not
always pinpoint the specific information required.
• Keywords used in assignments may not be the ones
used by writers.
• Word variations must be considered, to find
alternative keywords.

6. Brainstorming includes:
• different endings of a
• groups and root word
personalities Leaders, leading , leadership
Woman’s Christian Temperance Use ‘*’ e.g. lead* to search all
Union, Letitia Youman endings.
• synonyms and
• acronyms
WCTU
related terms
Temperance, prohibition,
• word variations abstinence
Nineteen hundreds, 20th century, • antonyms
1900’s Alcoholism, drunkenness,
Use ‘?’to assist in search for decades intoxication
191? or 192? searches for 1910 -
1929