Writing a Junior Paper (or two, depending on your major) can be a stressful process. But it does not have to be that way. Below are some strategies to help you minimize JP-induced stress and streamline your research process.
1. Know thyself
This has been a watchword since the Ancient Greeks and was (supposedly) inscribed at the temple of the oracle at Delphi. It holds true to this day. Knowing your interests and what motivates you is key to producing work that you can be proud of. Are you the sort of person who is highly self-motivated or do you need the accountability of frequent meetings with your adviser? How do you respond to time pressure? Do you prepare detailed outlines, write in stream-of-consciousness, or fall somewhere in between? Knowing your own habits and how you work best are key to producing quality work.
2. Know thy adviser
By the same token, getting to know your adviser is crucial to receiving effective guidance and collaboration. Aside from basic questions of whether your adviser’s research is in line with your own interests, consider also whether their style is more hands-on or hands-off, etc. If possible, ask former mentees about their experience working with your (potential) adviser. All of these factors are important for establishing a solid working relationship with your faculty adviser.
3. Consult a research librarian
Just because you have to write your JP alone does not mean you must research it by yourself. Whether you are simply surveying the literature on your topic or getting deep into the weeds of it, advisers and specialized librarians are indispensable in guiding you to helpful sources. You can find your subject librarian through the University’s directory here.
4. Take good notes
Everyone has their own system. But some are more effective than others. In Simple and Direct, the eminent historian Jacques Barzun recommends a handy system of notes on 3-inch by 5-inch index cards. First copy the title and publication information, then read the source, paraphrase the important takeaways in your own words, and add your own comments, insight, and/or analysis in brackets. This is indispensable for synthesis and internalizing what you have read. This system, though far from the only one, is useful both for managing content and citations in a convenient way. By Barzun’s own admission, the basics of his system are easily adaptable to notebooks as well (and tablets, I would add). The important thing is to find a system that works for you and allows you to synthesize what you have read, adding your own thoughts, and not staring blankly at a pile of books when the time to write has come.
5. Plan ahead
This is especially true for majors that require two JPs, such as History and Classics. The turnaround for the Spring JP is much quicker than for the Fall JP, which means that staying on top of deadlines is key. Moreover, producing quality work by the deadline (rather than simply meeting the deadline’s required page count) is crucial for avoiding extensive, last-minute revisions.
—Ignacio Arias, Humanities Correspondent
