The Bedford Researcher chapter 4 summary

William Hoffmann
English 102
4/9/14

The Bedford Researcher Chapter 4 Summary

       Chapter four of the Bedford Researcher explains the needed components to write a research paper. Reading with an attitude helps a writer ask the questions needed for determining sources while gathering information on their chosen topic and issue. Knowing what a writers limitations are, their own opportunities, what a readers needs and interests are, will help the writer write the relevant type of documents and the design and context in which it will be read. In addition, while researching via the library or an online browser marking sources, taking notes on them, or annotating your sources can help you refer back to them later on or help reshape your argument on the issue and topic. While looking for sources it is also important to identify the type of source you are reading along with if it is a primary source or a secondary source. Primary sources include poems, novels, essays, and journals. Secondary sources include an analysis or interpretations of primary sources by another person which can be helpful but needs to be limited to ensure that your own paper is original with your own ideas/thoughts.

       After your primary and secondary sources are found consider the use of them to make it most appealing to the reader. Depending on your topic using appeals such as authority, emotion, values and beliefs, character, and logic will help the writer develop their paper based on their audience. After gathering evidence from wherever, it is important to refer back to the research log to stay on track and to make sure you are following all of the required components for the paper. Finding appropriate sources is critical for a research paper and sometimes rereading a source can help better understand it. Asking questions such as what is the main point, or who is it written for along with skimming, reading actively, or rereading helps perfect a writers research.