Chapter 6 & 7 Response

In chapter 6, guideline 2 provides some noteworthy advice when beginning a research project. This guideline suggests making a research plan by determining the various sources that will be used, and the preparation needed to evaluate each of them. The main point in this guideline is making sure that the information is not only appropriate to what it is being researched, but, even more importantly, that it is reader-centered enough to persuade readers. When conducting research, the goal for the researcher should be to find the best information possible. To help meet this goal, one should consider starting with a general search, scheduling enough time to complete research, and examining multiple research methods, as mentioned in the book.

Another helpful suggestion within chapter 6, guideline 6, is to take careful notes during research. The book recommends keeping track of sources by making bibliographic notes that include things like the author, title, year of publication, and so on. One thing that I've found to be useful when researching is to use an annotated bibliography. This is basically a bibliography that has a written evaluation following the citation where the researcher provides a summary of the main points and the relevancy of the source. This is very helpful for going back to review sources at a later time. It eliminates having to read sources over and over in order to remember what they are about.

I found the section within chapter 7 on revealing organization in writing to be informative, especially the headings and visual arrangement of text categories. Some tips within the headings category included:

• Whether to use parallel headings or a mix of headings
• Ways of designing headings (color, boldness, size, hierarchal levels)
  
• The different kinds of headings (questions, key words, and main ideas)

The visual arrangement section touches on using lists, indenting subordinate information, and starting new chapters or major sections on a new page in long communications.