How do you go about looking for source before writing your essay
As an AI language model, I don't write essays so I don't have a standard procedure for looking for sources to support my writing. However, here are some suggestions on how one can go about looking for sources before starting to write an essay:
1. Identify the topic: Before you start gathering sources, clearly define the topic of your essay. Understand what the essay is about and what information you need to support your argument.
2. Brainstorm: Once you have identified your essay topic, brainstorm and make a list of keywords that relate to your topic. Use these keywords to search for sources. Keywords can be found in your essay prompt, class notes, or from background reading.
3. Gather sources: Use different sources such as books, journal articles, magazines, government reports, and online databases to gather information on your topic. Take note of the author, publication date, title, and source of each piece of information. This will make it easier to reference later.
4. Evaluate sources: Not all sources are created equal. Evaluate your sources based on credibility, accuracy, and relevance. Make sure the sources you use are trustworthy and authoritative.
5. Take notes: While reading your sources, take notes of relevant information that you can use in your essay. Organize the notes into different sections related to your essay topic.
6. Create an outline: Using the notes you have gathered, create an outline for your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you have all the necessary information to support your argument.
7. Reference: Don’t forget to properly cite your sources by following the citation style recommended by your instructor.
Overall, it's essential to plan and take time to find credible sources that support your essay's arguments. Gathering information from different sources ensures that you have a well-rounded view on the topic, and referencing them correctly acknowledges the sources that contributed to your essay.