Chapter 1

Chapter 1 is all about getting your mind and ideas in the right place before starting your research paper.  It is about how you can instill confidence in yourself by know ahead of time what your plan is.   Chapter one goes into detail about taking ownership of your project, understanding the research project, working with sources, developing a position, understanding the importance of readers and context, being aware of technological advances and changes, managing your time, and finally how to pick your topic.  This chapter focusses heavily on choosing an appropriate topic, I think they do this to stress the importance of this step.  It is the first step, but also one of the toughest.  Bedford gives three steps to picking a topic; step one is to identify conversations about your topic, step two is to assess your interest in the topic, and step three is to consider your writing situation.  This chapter also includes a very helpful project timeline, a guideline on how to approach, work through and finally finish your research paper.  

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 is all about digging deeper into your topic. The chapter outlines some interesting ways to explore your topic. For example, it suggests discussing your topic with others, which at first look does not seem so different, but for me that is not the usually way I start to examine my topics. However, I do see the helpfulness behind it.  The book says to make a list of people and a list of questions to ask them then go down it.  It also suggests to make a list of places you might make observations about your topic, a list of resources to search or browse like catalogs, libraries, and databases, and create a system for keeping track of the information you collect.  Then it says to conduct preliminary observations, find and review sources, skim your sources then take notes on them.  Finally this chapter explains ways you can then focus your topic so that it is easier to find more helpful sources.  It suggests identifying conversations about the topic, assessing your interest, and frame your argument for the focused topic. 

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 covers the first step in the writing process: managing information and taking notes. When I'm having a hard time with beginning an essay, I tend to rely on research and noting down as much factual information and ideas as possible. In the chapter, it describes the importance of organizing digital information so it is kept in a safe place to return to later on. Digital information is considered to be information found on the internet, in bookmarked apps, to-do lists, and note apps. Modifying direct quotations is also covered.  Bedford goes into detail in using an ellipsis, brackets, and using "sic". An ellipsis is used when you are trying to describe to the reader that your quotation isn't exactly identical to the exact source - such as when you only want to use half of a statement compared to a whole. Brackets are used in the form of changing and adding words to a quotation, and "sic" is used to declare that the author of which you are using direct quotations from had a text error, and the mistake is therefore not your own. Paraphrasing and summarizing are also key topics in this chapter, and when and when not it is necessary to do so.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 covers reading critically. They want you to understand your research topic front and back. Make a strong statement and go on from there with the body information about your topic that you found by reading critically through your sources. Bedford suggests that you want to read reread and take notes on the key points of your source. Sometimes with I’m reading information I can often forget what I just read and I end up reading the same thing two or three times but, once I reread the information about my topic I tend to have a better understanding ofwhat it says. This chapter explains that you always need to keep track of your sources and take notes on information that will help with your paper. When reading Bedford says to pay attention to the author’s main point, and whether the source is primary or secondary. What I have learned from this chapter is rereading an article can be helpful but it would be more efficient if I just read it critically and took my time by focusing on the questions in the chapter in the first place.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 reviews "Searching of information with Digital Resources." Prior to reading this chapter, I felt confident preparing both a research plan and a proposal and in researching within online databases. When doing a basic search you want to merely skim the material rather than go into full depth in regards to your particular topic, whereas when performing an advanced search it is important to focus within the "Boolean Operators".  Boolean Operators will allow you to focus a search by specifying which keywords or phrases that can, must, or must not appear in your results.  They help you to able to narrow down your search and research the topic a bit more specifically and knowledgeably.  Online databases are helpful because you can narrow down your search to author, title, keyword, or a particular heading in order to refrain from searching and digging through regular google searches that may not be beneficial to your topic or essay. Chapter eight did a fantastic job of helping me break down sources and steps that are essential to receiving a deserved grade on my final argumentative paper.

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 explains how to evaluate sources and also which sources is most beneficial, that will provide you the best information. Any information you’re putting in to your paper should be useful to the reader.  Make sure you get all the evidence that you need, don't leave anything out, also if possible try to get more information than needed. Bedford suggests to really look in to who the author is and decide whether they are an expert in their field, or if they are merely someone that is just trying to put their own opinion out there without any true knowledge or expertise in the field. After taking a look at the author this chapter says to then look who the publisher of the newspaper, journal or web site was.  Also the chapter explains that you need to take into account when the source was published, maybe the information you found is from 20 years ago and is out of date. That is very important to look at dates and the time line between all your information on your topic.  Bedford suggests that all of the sources you use should evaluated the same way and make sure your information is equally vetted.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 goes into depth of avoiding the act of plagiarism. Sometimes when we write we actually unintentionally plagiarize and therefore find ourselves in an unwanted position; which is mainly when we take poor notes or improperly record our gathered information. Without the use of quotation marks, you are claiming someone else's words as your own and therefore plagiarizing. It is also important that when you include a paraphrase, you make sure to have it differ only so slightly that it might as well be considered a direct quotation. Plagiarism is considered dishonest, and can be penalized even if the author is unaware of what they have done. Intentional plagiarism, obviously, is when an individual is aware that they are copying the work of another writer and re-using as their own to submit. Research ethics are described to be ideas that make sure that you are writing honestly and ethically. It is always a good idea to make sure you acknowledge each and every source that you include regarding your topic, as well as accurately and fairly present the information and ideas. Citing your source information should always be done to be sure that you aren't claiming the thoughts and opinions of anyone else to be your own.