The document outlines a metaphor and steps for engaging in research and writing. It presents a metaphor that research involves identifying scholarly conversations, listening through materials, and adding one's own voice. It then lists steps for beginning research, including developing questions, searching keywords, vetting sources, taking notes, and creating thinking drafts to repeatedly refine the process.

1. Chapter 12 Becoming Rhetorical: Class Notes 2/1/17
Metaphor for Engaging in Research and Research Writing
1. Identify the scholarly conversation (What are people talking about in this field)
2. Listen to the conversation (Gather materials, read, and learn)
3. Put in your “oar” or add your voice to the conversation (Write something new)
Steps for Beginning the Research Process (Numbers 1 & 2 above)
Keep in mind that the research process, like the writing process is re-cursive (i.e. it is
continually repeating until the paper is published).
1. Developing Initial Research Questions—what do you know & what do you think
you want to know about your topic?
2. Generate Keywords for Searches—take the important words from your question
to use as keywords in searches.
3. Conduct Initial Searches—start with Google, Lexus Nexus, Library Database,
Google Scholar.
4. Vet Sources—analyze the rhetorical purpose of the source & compare against
your purpose for writing (a tabloid article may not work as a source for an article
about agriculture in a scholarly journal).
5. Take Notes—
 Use Flashcards
 Have a system for what information you keep on each card
 Build the paper’s bibliography as you go in a Word file
6. Thinking Drafts—Rough-rough drafts that allow you to put your initial thoughts
on the page following research.
7. Repeat and Refine steps 1-6.