Research can get overwhelming fast.
You start with an essay question, open a database, find a few sources and suddenly you have 27 tabs open, pages of notes, and no idea what you're actually doing.
The problem usually isn’t that you need more information.
You need direction.
Research With Direction shows you what to do before you start collecting sources—so you can figure out what you’re looking for, ask better questions, choose sources with purpose, and take notes that actually help you write.
Inside, you’ll learn how to:
→ create supporting questions that give your reading direction
→ recognize strong vs. weak research questions
→ choose credible sources worth your time and attention
→ use a working thesis to keep your research on track
→ take essay notes instead of study notes
→ use counterarguments and synthesis to add depth to your writing
And you’ll get 6 graphic organizers, each with a completed sample, so you can see the process—not just read about it.
Because good research begins with decisions before you start plugging key terms into a search bar. It begins with figuring out what you’re looking for.
Reviews
This guide was incredibly helpful. It made me feel like I didn’t have to start from scratch, which immediately made the process feel more approachable. It felt like the perfect set of guardrails to get started and stave off procrastination without making the process feel overly prescriptive. I finished it feeling like I had what I needed to actually begin my process, rather than spending more time trying to figure out how to begin. Really grateful for this!