From course setup to completed Word paper.

2. Add the course

Put the paper inside the right class.

A course gives every paper a place to live. Sources for one class do not accidentally become clutter for another.

3. Create the assignment

Turn requirements into the writing target.

CitationDesk treats the assignment as the center of the workflow: title, due date, citation style, word count, required sources, and Word template.

This is where the eventual completed paper begins. The source list, notes, and writing draft are scoped to this assignment.

4. Collect candidates

Bring sources in, then decide what belongs.

Sources can come from browser capture, DOI lookup, pasted references, downloaded citation files, or manual entry. The goal is not to save everything. The goal is to build a useful working set.

5. Select sources

Use stoplights before you read everything.

Students often gather too many possible sources. CitationDesk supports triage: will use, maybe, and no. That makes it easier to keep strong sources and remove distractions.

• Will use: source has a clear role.
• Maybe: save for re-review.
• No: not relevant enough.

6. Read and take notes

Read with the paper in mind.

CitationDesk keeps reading prompts near the source so notes are useful later: citation, summary, assessment, reflection, and how the source supports the assignment.

The point is not to copy the article. The point is to capture why the article matters to the paper.

7. Use notes as writing companions

Keep the evidence beside the draft.

When the student moves to Writing Desk, notes and references become companion material. That keeps the draft grounded in the sources without switching between disconnected tools.

The student can pull ideas from notes, add citations, and keep the source list visible.

8. Draft with citations

Turn source notes into paper paragraphs.

CitationDesk supports writing commands and citation-aware drafting so the student can build the paper while preserving citation intent.

9. Choose style and export

Send the paper to Word with the correct style.

The assignment controls citation style and template selection. CitationDesk exports the draft, headings, title-page details, in-text citations, and reference list for Word polish.

10. Completed paper

Finish in Word, submit with confidence.

The exported paper is not a toy preview. It is a Word document the student can proofread, polish, and submit after checking formatting requirements.