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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/43747
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/43747
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Sometimes when someone asks "which should I do first when writing?" the answer is "whichever one you want." For example, I'm writing a historical novel requiring a lot of research. While I'm a research-first type of writer, it would be wholly appropriate for a different writer to plunge ahead with the story then come back much later and change the details (what clothes they're wearing, what species of tree are they sitting under, etc). In most cases, any secondary changes you'd need to make wouldn't be critical.

In an academic paper though, you can't write about, say, typical behaviors in a population then go back and find studies, case work, or fieldwork that supports your statements. Not in the same way that you can write a fictional scene where characters sit down to lunch and later you can check that the foods you chose were available then, or substitute ones that were, then put in the type of utensils they used.

Your "story" needs to come from the research.

And even if it does, if your conclusions result from the research you did, it's easier to keep track of citations before the end.

My recommendation is to make a list on your computer of all your citations along with various quotes and/or notes. Include page numbers. If you don't have access to digital forms of the works you're using, then you can put page numbers and brief notes in each section with the full citation.

Now, sit down to write in the free-flowing way you prefer. Each time you reference something, either copy and paste the quote/notes and the citation, or put some sort of placeholder there so you can easily find it when it's time. You won't use every quote/note (or maybe not even every source), but the most important ones will be there easy to grab. And you'll have enough pointers to find more if you decide to flesh out that section.

The part of your self that likes to sleep and eat and bathe will thank your writer self later.

Original score: 2