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* Research Basics *

College-level research can be difficult, even for students who have previously done research. This guide is a great starting point for learning about how to successfully conduct literature-based research, such as secondary research or a literature review.

Everyone has different approaches to creating academic work. Some writers plan everything out, while others discover their ideas as they write. But no matter your style, the process generally follows the same key stages: planning, drafting, and revising.

Understanding these stages can help you turn your thoughts into clear, well-structured academic writing. Planning helps you organize your ideas and clarify your goals. Drafting gets your thoughts down on paper, even if they’re still rough. Revising is where you shape and strengthen your work—refining your argument, structure, and style.

This guide provides flexible strategies you can adapt to fit both your personal workflow and the specific demands of your assignment. Use it as a tool to write with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

The Writing Process

  1. Pre-Writing Strategies
    • Understanding your assignment
    • Conducting effective research
    • Developing a strong thesis
    • Creating outlines that work
  2. Drafting Your Paper
  3. Revision and Editing
    • The revision process
    • Editing for clarity and style
    • Proofreading techniques
    • Final formatting

Click on the links (red text) in the list above to learn more about each topic.