B
efore you walk into a library and ask questions or log onto the Internet, it makes sense to
be prepared. What essential tools or equipment do you need to start your research paper?
The basic materials are easy to get your hands on and are surprisingly simple. To be prepared you
will need:
■
a current library card from a local or city library
■
a highlighter
■
a plastic or metal index card holder
■
lined index cards
■
a folder with pockets
■
access to Internet facilities or equipment
LESSON
Getting Started
LESSON SUMMARY
To write a good research paper, you need the right materials. In
this lesson, you’ll learn what to have at your fingertips so that you’ll
save valuable time throughout the research process.
1
15
Getting a Library Card
Almost every town and city has a public
library, museum, or cultural institution that is
open to everyone free of charge. If you don’t
live near a public library or your community
doesn’t have one, you can usually join and

oughly by using a note card system, also
known as an index card system. However,
before you begin that process, it is a good idea
to have a place to store all your index cards so
they don’t get lost and scattered. Also, if you
need to visit several libraries and institutions
while you are gathering your materials, you
can take your index card holder with you
wherever you go so that it becomes your per-
sonal traveling desk. In this way, you will never
be without your work and you can easily refer
to what you’ve done because your note cards
are all in one place.
Index Cards
If you’ve never used index cards before, don’t
worry. They are an efficient and user-friendly
way to take down valuable information. Like
taking your note card holder with you, it is also
important to keep a full stack of index cards
with you at all times so that you don’t run out.
There is nothing worse than finding an ideal
book or source and not having an index card
with you to jot down those important
thoughts and ideas. Index cards are also light,
and you can spread them out in front of you at
any desk or on any surface. Lugging a large
notebook with you is too cumbersome.
Pocket Folder
Bringing along a folder with extra pockets
allows you to keep any stray sheets of 8 × 11

Summary
Being prepared is the first step to researching
and writing a good paper. Applying for a
library card or Internet password early allows
you to visit and use all kinds of libraries and
institutions without having to wait for entry.
Having portable equipment with you at all
times allows you to be ready to gather materi-
als instantly, and keep them in order. Once you
acquire these items, you are on your journey.
–
GETTING STARTED
–
17

I
t’s exciting that there are so many topics and individuals out there that have potential research
interest. Your research topic may be chosen for you if you are in a particular class, but often
you will have to come up with a topic by yourself. How do you narrow down your topics or
choose just one idea? For the moment, you don’t have to answer that question. Instead, allow
yourself to brainstorm and make a list of at least five potential ideas or people that might inter-
est you. For instance, your list might look something like this:
The invention of electricity
World War II
Environmental pollution
Henry VIII
President John F. Kennedy
LESSON
Finding a Topic
LESSON SUMMARY