Pause for thought

Writing about a topic, especially writing questions about it, may help you to integrate new knowledge with what you already know and may help you to become more engaged with the topic. Research studies show that certain kinds of writing help students to manipulate, interpret and transform reading material. Instead of passively waiting for a topic to come to you, read actively and ask questions about interesting or controversial articles or subjects. This may help you develop a focus for your research project.

D.A. Hayes, "The Potential for Direct Study in Combined Reading and Writing Activity," Journal of Reading Behavior 19 (1987): 333-52