All right! You've figured out your topic, gone to a database, searched for information, and narrowed down what articles you want to use in your paper. Now what?
Organize your sources to start writing
Read for complete understanding. Don't move past a section until you can explain it to someone you respect. Never cite an article you don't understand---find another article if needed.
Annotate as you read. This is just note-taking! Write down your thoughts as you read and mark the important pieces of information.
Organize your sources in the order you'll refer to them in your paper. For example, maybe start with some primary sources to show your ideas are based on evidence. Then bring in some secondary sources to show there are experts who interpret the evidence the same way you do. Last, you might bring in a secondary source that disagrees with you to show respect for alternative viewpoints and how you'll address them.
