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How to write a research paper
Research papers. Those two words are relatively short, but it's easy to associate them with late nights, rushed work, sore wrists and computer failures. The good news is that it doesn't have to be like that!
What is a research paper exactly?
Research papers are usually assessments or projects set at college or university level. They are formally-written academic pieces which present your original ideas or thoughts on the topic chosen compared to and backed up by material gathered from "experts".
The structure of a research paper
A research paper can be either analytical (studies evidence and draws out conclusions) or argumentative (using evidence to prove a point), whichever one of these it is, it still has the following basic format:
A note on plagiarism...
Plagiarism is considered a serious offence in most educational institutions, with suspension or expulsion as a result. When writing a research paper you really need to be mindful of this issue, as you will be reading and referencing many, many sources. If you cite sources, make sure you use correct grammar including quote-marks and if appropriate, italics as well to differentiate between what you have written yourself and snippets from your sources.
The Paper itself...
Like any big job, it can seem less overwhelming to break it up into smaller chunks and concentrate on each of them in turn. Again, if you break up your project and it's still overwhelming, just break it down again and again until you can easily complete the bits and pieces; for example:
Before you decide on a topic and start writing your paper, make sure you understand the requirements of the assignment and that your topic meets these requirements. If you have any doubts or have trouble thinking of a topic, see your lecturer or teacher.
When choosing a topic, bear in mind that it should be something you are at least remotely interested in - it will take a long time to write the paper and you don't want to be sick of your topic after a week of working on it. It should be something you are willing to learn about and keep working at. Also, before you decide on a topic for certain, do a little preliminary research - it will be no help to you if you decide on a topic and there is very little information in existence about it, or if your topic is so broad there is too much information to go through! Preliminary research can help you to whittle down your topic into something that is doable.
This is essential to your research paper - you should not start writing without one!!
Your thesis statement or research question is the backbone of your paper - it briefly outlines what topic you are covering and aspects/arguments you will discuss in your paper. Try and be as detailed as possible the first time you write it - you will most likely have to narrow it down and also revise it as you start writing your paper. Once you have something down on paper, rewrite versions of it until it is concise but specific.
Once you have a complete statement, this needs to go at the end of your introduction when you start writing your paper.
Once you've got your statement together, it's time to get down and do some research. Before you do an outline for your paper, do the majority of your research first. You may have some mental notes or points you want to include, but doing research first will ensure that you aren't restricted in the possible points or arguments that you can include in your paper.
Types of resources
There are two types of resources that you will come across when you do research:
Remember to take accurate notes and to always, always, always take a note of your sources, you need to include details of all references and sources in your paper and a bibliography!
Once you have completed sufficient research, it's time to actually start work on your paper. It can be helpful to start with a brief outline, much like you would for an essay. This will give you a rough idea of what order you can put your points in and help you to get started on writing it.
Start with big headings or points and then add in the sub-points and go from there.
Like any assignment, you will need to revise your first draft. You may end up with a few drafts before your finished product. If it helps, write your first draft then leave it for a few days and come back with fresh eyes. If you stare at something for long enough it can become tedious and your creative juices may stall. Keep taking breaks from it so that each time you come back with a clear mind ready to make changes!
It may help to ask someone else to read it a couple of times for you, your mum, dad, or older sister or brother, even your dorm-mate could suggest something different that you hadn't thought of.
Once you're happy with your drafts, it's time to make it your final copy. Remember to use spellcheck, but also print it out and have a read over it as well, sometimes spellcheck can miss things. Ensure you haven't made any silly mistakes and that you have used proper grammar and punctuation. Be careful of words that can be mixed up, especially ones like "a lot" and "alot" or "they're", "their" and "there".
Read your paper out aloud and ask yourself if it reads well. Some words could be better placed than others. Invest in a good dictionary and thesaurus to help you.
Check your layout against the assignment requirements - if your requirements state that it needs to be printed double-spaced and you haven't, you will likely lose marks. If your requirements need footnotes or end-notes, include them as well as a bibliography or "Works Cited" list.
Again, it may help to give it to someone to read over for you like when you were revising your drafts.
Anna's Research Paper Toolbox
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) has a fantastic in-depth guide to writing research papers.
Sparknotesis the ultimate online study-guide destination.
SparkLife (Part of Sparknotes) will help you to regain your sanity while writing your paper.
Google - king of search engines!
The Basics
What is a research paper exactly?
Research papers are usually assessments or projects set at college or university level. They are formally-written academic pieces which present your original ideas or thoughts on the topic chosen compared to and backed up by material gathered from "experts".
The structure of a research paper
A research paper can be either analytical (studies evidence and draws out conclusions) or argumentative (using evidence to prove a point), whichever one of these it is, it still has the following basic format:
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
-Your topic is introduced in the form of a statement (commonly called a thesis statement).
-A general outline of what is to follow can be included.
-The body of your paper consists of your thoughts or findings backed up with evidence and cited sources.
-Each paragraph should have an introductory statement outlining what the paragraph will be about.
-This should be followed by your findings backed up by evidence from your research.
-Depending on the length requirements of the paper, you should have at least 3 points to discuss.
-Re-state your topic and the conclusion you have come to with a summary of the evidence you have given.
A note on plagiarism...
Plagiarism is considered a serious offence in most educational institutions, with suspension or expulsion as a result. When writing a research paper you really need to be mindful of this issue, as you will be reading and referencing many, many sources. If you cite sources, make sure you use correct grammar including quote-marks and if appropriate, italics as well to differentiate between what you have written yourself and snippets from your sources.
The Paper itself...
Break it into steps
Like any big job, it can seem less overwhelming to break it up into smaller chunks and concentrate on each of them in turn. Again, if you break up your project and it's still overwhelming, just break it down again and again until you can easily complete the bits and pieces; for example:
- Choose topic:
- Brainstorm ideas on paper
- Organise meeting with teacher to discuss ideas
- Narrow down ideas to 3
- Choose one - Research:
- List possible sources of info (books, websites, journals, magazines)
- Make up a timeline for research
What topic to choose??
Before you decide on a topic and start writing your paper, make sure you understand the requirements of the assignment and that your topic meets these requirements. If you have any doubts or have trouble thinking of a topic, see your lecturer or teacher.
When choosing a topic, bear in mind that it should be something you are at least remotely interested in - it will take a long time to write the paper and you don't want to be sick of your topic after a week of working on it. It should be something you are willing to learn about and keep working at. Also, before you decide on a topic for certain, do a little preliminary research - it will be no help to you if you decide on a topic and there is very little information in existence about it, or if your topic is so broad there is too much information to go through! Preliminary research can help you to whittle down your topic into something that is doable.
The thesis statement or research question
This is essential to your research paper - you should not start writing without one!!
Your thesis statement or research question is the backbone of your paper - it briefly outlines what topic you are covering and aspects/arguments you will discuss in your paper. Try and be as detailed as possible the first time you write it - you will most likely have to narrow it down and also revise it as you start writing your paper. Once you have something down on paper, rewrite versions of it until it is concise but specific.
Once you have a complete statement, this needs to go at the end of your introduction when you start writing your paper.
Time to hit the books
Once you've got your statement together, it's time to get down and do some research. Before you do an outline for your paper, do the majority of your research first. You may have some mental notes or points you want to include, but doing research first will ensure that you aren't restricted in the possible points or arguments that you can include in your paper.
Types of resources
There are two types of resources that you will come across when you do research:
- Primary sources - which are original documents or accounts, such as raw data from research, an eyewitness interview, a novel, poem, letter, diary or another type of creative work. These sources are NOT about another source or is "straight from the horse's mouth".
- Secondary sources
Remember to take accurate notes and to always, always, always take a note of your sources, you need to include details of all references and sources in your paper and a bibliography!
Outlines
Once you have completed sufficient research, it's time to actually start work on your paper. It can be helpful to start with a brief outline, much like you would for an essay. This will give you a rough idea of what order you can put your points in and help you to get started on writing it.
Start with big headings or points and then add in the sub-points and go from there.
Revising
Like any assignment, you will need to revise your first draft. You may end up with a few drafts before your finished product. If it helps, write your first draft then leave it for a few days and come back with fresh eyes. If you stare at something for long enough it can become tedious and your creative juices may stall. Keep taking breaks from it so that each time you come back with a clear mind ready to make changes!
It may help to ask someone else to read it a couple of times for you, your mum, dad, or older sister or brother, even your dorm-mate could suggest something different that you hadn't thought of.
Proofing and editing
Once you're happy with your drafts, it's time to make it your final copy. Remember to use spellcheck, but also print it out and have a read over it as well, sometimes spellcheck can miss things. Ensure you haven't made any silly mistakes and that you have used proper grammar and punctuation. Be careful of words that can be mixed up, especially ones like "a lot" and "alot" or "they're", "their" and "there".
Read your paper out aloud and ask yourself if it reads well. Some words could be better placed than others. Invest in a good dictionary and thesaurus to help you.
Check your layout against the assignment requirements - if your requirements state that it needs to be printed double-spaced and you haven't, you will likely lose marks. If your requirements need footnotes or end-notes, include them as well as a bibliography or "Works Cited" list.
Again, it may help to give it to someone to read over for you like when you were revising your drafts.
Anna's Research Paper Toolbox
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) has a fantastic in-depth guide to writing research papers.
Sparknotesis the ultimate online study-guide destination.
SparkLife (Part of Sparknotes) will help you to regain your sanity while writing your paper.
Google - king of search engines!
NEXT TIME ON HOW TO...
Can we please have a theme about balancing school, work, your social life and love life all in one? School's coming up and I think this might be a big issue for some people!
Hey there! Anna here, and I'm the proud new columnist for How To and Editor for Saturdays. A little about me - I'm 20 and currently working, but I'm also studying. After high school I studied a Diploma in Journalism and then worked for a fashion importer for a year after that. I've since left the fashion house and am studying to be a Personal/Executive Assistant via correspondence while working as a receptionist. I love going to the gym, shopping, reading, surfing the internet, playing the piano and listening to music - oh, and writing. Which is why I took on the How To page - I get to write for you guys most weeks!
Anna's comment: Landa, this issue doesn't just affect students! I've been out of school for 3 years now and I still have trouble balancing everything, so maybe it's a good idea if we do this one next week!
Have a great week, everyone!
Anna xo