A good way to guide your reading and note-taking when writing an academic paper is to ask yourself the following preliminary questions:

• What information is needed to develop the topic?
• What are the important issues related to this subject?
• Who has contributed significantly to this area?
• What conclusions can be drawn?

Key Resources
Planning (Invention): Thought Starters (Asking the Right Questions)
How do I know if I am demonstrating critical thinking skills?