My research paper outline is 3 pages long. The paper is only supposed to be 8

[Gregory]

I have a problem. Actually, I have several problems, but the main one is that I cannot stop researching.

My research paper on Civil War propaganda is due in 2 weeks. I have 47 sources. 47. For an 8-page paper. I've read books. I've read articles. I've read letters and newspapers and pamphlets. I have NOTES on all of them. My outline is currently longer than most people's final papers.

Every time I try to cut something, I panic. What if I need this later? What if this quote is perfect for something? What if I delete it and regret it forever?

My roommate says I have "hoarder energy" but for information. He's not wrong. I'm a digital packrat with 50 browser tabs open at all times.

The hardest part is knowing what to leave out. Everything feels important when you're deep in it. Every source feels like a treasure. But 8 pages is 8 pages. Something has to go.

How do you kill your darlings? How do you decide what stays and what goes? I need a ruthless editing strategy from people who've been here.

 

[AdamWolf]

I once had 62 sources for a 10-pager on Cold War propaganda. My advisor literally laughed when she saw my bibliography draft.

Here's what actually helped: reverse outlining. Write your draft first (yes, without the outline). Just vomit words based on memory and what you actually retained from all that reading. THEN go back and see where sources are actually needed. You'll realize you only need citations for like 30% of what you thought. The rest is just... knowledge you now own. It's in your brain now, Gregory. That's the point of research.

Also, 3 page outline? That's not a problem. That's a flex. Use it.