Brainstorm the main arguments of the topic. Researching for the debate will be more effective if the main arguments are outlined before starting to assemble the debate brief. If it is impossible to outline the main arguments, read a book that discusses the topic. This will provide an outline of the main and supporting arguments. Once the rough draft of the arguments is complete, go to the library to research.
Collect research information from books. Use the rough draft of the arguments to collect supporting evidence from books. Locate books that were published in the last five years, unless the books provide historical information. If quotes are taken from the books, use MLA format to record the information. The author's last name is written first, then the first name. The title of the book is next. After the title, write the city where the publisher is located and the name of the publisher. The last elements are the year of publication and the page on which the information was found. Note the author's education and experience under the citation.
Collect research information from journals and magazines. Once the major books have been examined, scan the periodicals for supporting information. Record periodical information using MLA formatting. The author's last name is first, then the first name. The title of the article is recorded next, using quotation marks around the title. Then record the name of the periodical and underline the information. The next information required is the volume of the journal or magazine and the number. If the journal is published four times a year, the number will be in one of the four issues. The date, only the year, is the next thing recorded. The last item is the number of the page where the quote was found.
Use rough drafts of the briefs to organize arguments. Once information is found in books and journals, it will need to be added to the debate briefs. Record the support under the arguments listed on the rough draft. Add the new arguments discovered during the research. Type the final draft of each major argument.
Use the research information to support arguments. Use the briefs to support the arguments used in the debate. Once an author has been qualified once, it is not necessary to state the requirements when cited a second time.