College essay ideas: researching your topic wisely

Research is probably one of the most important parts of your writing process, because your paper is only going to be as good as the research is that you use to support it. Learning how to research effectively is a skill, and it is important to find the right sources that will back up your thesis. If you have never completed the research phase before, here are a few tips on how to research your topic wisely.

Start with the Basics

There are a lot of people who are against using some basic websites for research. However, it is not a bad idea to start with a site like Wikipedia in order to get an idea of your topic. Also, at the bottom of each entry, there are usually some good sources that will lead you to the next phase of your research. Using a dictionary to look up key terms, and other simple sites will help you to dig into deeper questions. However, don’t use sites that provide basic information to conduct thorough college essay research.

Look to Institutions

Any website that ends in .com or .net can be written by anyone who has purchased the domain. If you stick to .gov, .edu, or .org most of the time the information that you will find will be more reliable and accurate for your research. Use these sites as the foundation of your intensive research. Also, many institutions will have contact information of an actual person that you could interview for fresh information or if you have a question that needs clarification.

Use a Variety of Media

Don’t just use the Internet. There is a whole world of books, people and newspapers that have a variety of information that could be of good use. Don’t just rely on your fingertips. Get out into the world for the most effective research. Ask experts in the field for their opinions because they make good quotes, and it can lead you to further exploration in your thesis.

Finding the right media to research can be daunting will all of the choices that are out there. Take the time to become familiar with your topic, and learn the basic information first. After you have a good understanding, start conducting more intensive research from reputable sources. Finally, make sure that you use a variety of resources, including people, in order to develop the most unique and interesting college essay.