Research and Writing

            This week’s reading reflection is based on the topics of researching and writing strategies. While reading Susana Rodriguez’s, Researching, or How I Fell In Love With Post-It Notes, I was able to make a lot of connections to the thoughts and strategies Susana discussed. For example right from the beginning Susana states, “I don’t remember ever learning how to research in school… I don’t remember ever even being taught how.” I knew exactly what she was saying with this quote because I feel the same way, and I always have with the fact that teachers always expect us to write excellent research papers, but we never learned how to execute that “excellent” research. Of course over the years of having to perform this task we eventually learn on our own, but it takes quite some time. I still do not like the research process and always feel so overwhelmed when it comes time to research.

            The first thing I have to do is set aside a huge chunk of time that I can sit down and plan my paper and start the process of researching. I need to be in a quiet space and know I have a lot of time by myself to sit and think. Like Susana, I cannot pick up the pieces here and there, I need to start the process and finish the process all together or my thoughts are going to run wild and I will not be able to pick up where I left off. This method of researching has been the best one I have found for me so far. I also like to go over the material I find very slowly and make sure to critically read and pick out the most important information that will help me write my paper. Usually once I find all my sources and information I am able to put together my paper quite easily and efficiently; it is the research that is the biggest strain on my mind! 


(Word Count: 332)