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to date? Have the arguments been presented logically? Is the goal of the article information, or is the author seeking to persuade or sell? Trust facts, timely information and motives that seek to inform.

Step 6: Gather your research efficiently and keep track of your sources.

The initial time you spent brainstorming your topic will maximize your search time and refine how you gather information.

* Be careful to stay on topic and to maintain a narrow enough focus. Depending on the topic, also be sure to connect the importance of your subject beyond the mere specifics. In brief, frame your specific information in a way that impresses upon your reader that they are spending their time in a worthwhile way, to learn about something important.

* Break down your article into two to four key parts. Make sure you have solid information for each part. Explain each part clearly, and back each point up with solid evidence. Facts work best, while sharing authoritative perspectives and one's own experiences can supplement.

* Clearly direct the reader in your introduction, so readers know where you will lead them. Tight and informative articles, with clear directional signals, hold readers' attention and transfer information effectively.

* Do not just copy and paste bits of text in your articles. Instead, put the information in your own words from the beginning of the information-gathering, note-taking process. Also, do not borrow an entire structure from another article or try to copy another writer's tone. All of these factors count for plagiarism. For more information about Helium's guidelines on plagiarism, go to http://www.helium.com/tm/26380 9

* Cite your sources at the end of the article. For books, site author, title and copyright date. For articles, site author, title, publication and date. For web sites, use URLs.

Good researchers make the best writers. Spending time to think through a topic first makes your research time more efficient and helps ensure that you approach your article in an authentic way, rather than simply following what others have already done. Fine tuning your knowledge of how to use search tools to find the right kinds of information expands your opportunities to get what you need. Making sure you discern the value of the information from a given site is also vital. Pinpointing your focus and finding the best portals through the Internet helps you pluck what you need from the "information highway," to carve your own clear path toward a unique, well-researched and solid article.

Check out these resources:

http://www.writerswr ite.com
Taylor and Lejeune, Consider the Source: Finding Reliable Information on the Internet (2004)

Learn more about this author, Barbara Whitlock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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