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Write Research Papers in Shelf Docs

Shelf Docs now include a research writing suite: APA/MLA citations, BibTeX import, outline and word count, MD/PDF/DOC/LaTeX export, and more.

3 min read
Sketch notebook
Ruled paper · draw & annotate

Citations and your reference library

Open Sources from the Doc toolbar to add references by hand or paste BibTeX / CSL-JSON (including exports from Zotero). Cite inserts an in-text marker; Refresh bibliography rebuilds the References block in APA, MLA, Chicago, or IEEE.

From a PDF or HTML highlight, choose Cite to drop a quote plus citation into an open Doc tab. If no Doc is open, Shelf prompts you so the action is never a silent no-op.

Sketch notebook
Ruled paper · draw & annotate

Structure as you write

Outline lists H1–H3 headings for click-to-scroll navigation. The footer shows word and character counts plus an estimated reading time. Find in library searches your notes and PDFs so you can insert quotes without leaving the Doc.

Insert footnotes, figures, tables, KaTeX equations, cross-refs, and glossary terms from the research toolbar. Markers round-trip with Doc autosave HTML.

constitutional-amendments.pdf

Basic Structure doctrine limits Parliament's power to amend the Constitution beyond its core identity.

Kesavananda Bharati (1973) established that certain features cannot be destroyed by amendment.

Tutor

Explain this highlight

The Basic Structure doctrine means amendments cannot alter the Constitution's essential character.
Short notes

Export, versions, and collaboration

Export Markdown, PDF, Word (.doc), or LaTeX from the Doc toolbar. History snapshots save as you edit so you can compare and restore drafts. Comments attach to a selection; Suggest mode marks inserts and deletes for accept/reject.

Shelf — Library
Polity notes
Current affairs
Essay drafts

Templates and research AI

When you create a Doc, pick Blank, Abstract, Literature review, Methods, IMRaD, Thesis chapter, or Cover letter. Tighten shortens an abstract with Tutor tokens; Claims checks wording against bibliography keys.

Paraphrase and library originality from the existing writing tools still work on Docs and PDF selections. Web plagiarism remains a Premium stub until a vendor key is configured.

  • Sources + Cite + bibliography styles
  • Outline, word count, find-in-library
  • Export MD / PDF / DOC / LaTeX
  • History, comments, suggest mode
  • Research templates on create
fundamental-rights.pdf

Article 14 — equality before law

Highlight · Pen · Schedule

What stays the same

PDF reading, sketch notebooks, Ask AI, page sharing (VIEWER/EDITOR), and Doc autosave of HTML behave as before. Research tools are additive on typed Docs only.

You stay on Shelf’s contentEditable Doc contract — no TipTap migration — so existing notes without research markers open unchanged.

Sketch notebook
Ruled paper · draw & annotate

Getting started in one sitting

Create a Doc with the IMRaD template, import a BibTeX file into Sources, cite while you draft, then export Markdown or LaTeX for your journal workflow.

Use History before a major rewrite, and Suggest mode when a collaborator with EDITOR access leaves tracked edits.

constitutional-amendments.pdf

Basic Structure doctrine limits Parliament's power to amend the Constitution beyond its core identity.

Kesavananda Bharati (1973) established that certain features cannot be destroyed by amendment.

Tutor

Explain this highlight

The Basic Structure doctrine means amendments cannot alter the Constitution's essential character.
Short notes