How to Write a Research Paper

How to Write a How to Write a Research PaperResearch Paper

Research Research "The purpose of research "The purpose of research

is not simply to retrieve is not simply to retrieve data, but to participate data, but to participate in a conversation about in a conversation about it" it" (Brent 109).(Brent 109).

PlagiarismPlagiarism: Literally : Literally "kidnapping;" involving the "kidnapping;" involving the use of someone else's words use of someone else's words as if they were your ownas if they were your own (Gibaldi 6). (Gibaldi 6).

To avoid plagiarism you must To avoid plagiarism you must documentdocument direct quotations, direct quotations, paraphrases, and original paraphrases, and original ideas not your own. ideas not your own.

Step 1: Decide on a topicStep 1: Decide on a topic

Step 2: Begin your Step 2: Begin your researchresearch

Write down the Write down the main ideasmain ideas or or concepts that you discover during concepts that you discover during your research.your research.

Keep these notes in a safe place, Keep these notes in a safe place, and remember to record the and remember to record the sources that you are using sources that you are using so you so you can easily documentcan easily document them in a them in a Reference Page.Reference Page.

Support main points Support main points with detailed with detailed informationinformation and elaborate where and elaborate where needed.needed.

Outlines help organize informationOutlines help organize information

Step 3: Organize your researchStep 3: Organize your research

Examples of different outlinesTopic Outline

Choices in College and AfterThesis: The decisions I have to make in choosing college courses,

depend on larger questions I am beginning to ask myself about my life’s work.

I. Two decisions describedA. Art history or chemistry

1. Professional considerations 2. Personal considerations

B. A third year of French? 1. Practical advantages of knowing a foreign language 2. Intellectual advantages 3. The issue of necessity

II. Definition of the problemA. Decisions about occupationB. Decisions about a kind of life to lead

III. Temporary resolution of the problemA. To hold open a professional possibility: chemistryB. To take advantage of cultural gains already made: French

Sentence OutlineChoices in College and After

Thesis: The decisions I have to make in choosing college courses, depend on larger questions I am beginning to ask myself about my life’s work.

I. I have two decisions to make with respect to choosing college courses in the immediate future.

A. One is whether to elect a course in art history or in chemistry.1. One time in my life, I planned to be a chemical engineer professionally.2. On the other hand, I enjoy art and plan to travel and see more of it.

B. The second decision is whether to continue a third year of French beyond the basic college requirement.

1. French might be useful both in engineering and travel.2. Furthermore, I am eager to read good books which are written in French.3. How necessary are these considerations in the light of other courses I might take instead?

II. My problem can be put in the form of a dilemma involving larger questions about my whole future.

A. On the one hand I want to hold a highly-trained position in a lucrative profession.

B. On the other hand I want to lead a certain kind of life, with capacities for values not connected with the making of money.

III. I will have to make a decision balancing the conflicting needs I have described.

A. I will hold open the professional possibilities by electing chemistry. B. I will improve and solidify what cultural proficiency in another language I

have already gained, by electing French.

Step 4: Write a thesis statementStep 4: Write a thesis statement

A thesis statement is A thesis statement is the idea the idea upon which your entire paper is upon which your entire paper is constructedconstructed. .

Your research will provide you Your research will provide you with the information that you with the information that you need to need to proveprove your thesis in the your thesis in the body of your paper. body of your paper.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE““If the school day is If the school day is adjusted to begin and end adjusted to begin and end 3 hours later, many 3 hours later, many students will be forced to students will be forced to quit their part time jobs.”quit their part time jobs.”

Step 5: Write the introductionStep 5: Write the introduction

Begin with a "hook" which will Begin with a "hook" which will grab the reader's attentiongrab the reader's attention immediately.immediately.

State your thesis. State your thesis.

Your introductory paragraph Your introductory paragraph should only be 2-3 sentences should only be 2-3 sentences long. long.

Step 6: Write the body of your paperStep 6: Write the body of your paper

Write down Write down the main pointsthe main points from from your research. your research.

This will become This will become the foundationthe foundation for your body paragraphs. for your body paragraphs.

Support each main point with Support each main point with detailed informationdetailed information and and elaborate where needed.elaborate where needed.

Step 7:Write the conclusionStep 7:Write the conclusion

Summarize the content of your Summarize the content of your paper. paper.

It is a good idea to restate your It is a good idea to restate your thesis. thesis.

End your paper with a End your paper with a hard-hard-hitting sentencehitting sentence, anecdote , anecdote or or quotequote which reminds the reader which reminds the reader that you proved your thesis. that you proved your thesis.

Step 8: Edit your paperStep 8: Edit your paperAt this point, you should ask a At this point, you should ask a

parent, teacher, or friend to read parent, teacher, or friend to read over your paper over your paper to make sure that to make sure that it is clear and conciseit is clear and concise..

You should You should ask forask for specific specific suggestionssuggestions which will help make which will help make your paper stronger. your paper stronger.

It always helps to edit your paper by It always helps to edit your paper by asking yourself some guiding asking yourself some guiding questions as you read through it, questions as you read through it, such as: such as:

(1)(1)Does the body support the Does the body support the thesis?thesis?

(2)(2)Check over the organization of Check over the organization of the paper. Does it make sense?the paper. Does it make sense?

(3)(3)Make sure that you followed the Make sure that you followed the instructions for the assignment instructions for the assignment (e.g., margins, spacing etc.). (e.g., margins, spacing etc.).

(4)(4)Check your writing for errors Check your writing for errors (e.g., paragraph order, grammar, (e.g., paragraph order, grammar, spelling, etc.). spelling, etc.).

Example of a research paper

Double space

Size 12

Font type/style needs to be plain

Follow APA guidelines

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Google- Owl at Purdue APA

Step 9: Prepare a final draftStep 9: Prepare a final draftAfter you have thoroughly edited your After you have thoroughly edited your

draft,draft,

PROOF READPROOF READ

PROOF READPROOF READ

PROOF READPROOF READ again & revise your paper if necessary. again & revise your paper if necessary.

How do I write a paragraph?How do I write a paragraph?

Topic/Transitional or Hook SentenceTopic/Transitional or Hook Sentence

This sentence states what the This sentence states what the paragraph is going to be about, paragraph is going to be about, and how it relates to the subject of and how it relates to the subject of the essay and the previous the essay and the previous paragraph. paragraph.

Sometimes accomplishing all of this Sometimes accomplishing all of this in one sentence is difficult. in one sentence is difficult.

In these cases, it is better to write In these cases, it is better to write the "hook" first, and then follow it the "hook" first, and then follow it with the topic sentence.with the topic sentence.

Body SentencesBody Sentences

Body sentences Body sentences support the support the topictopic of the paragraph. of the paragraph.

When writing these sentences, When writing these sentences, provide details and state provide details and state related points. related points.

Elaborate on each of these Elaborate on each of these points where appropriate. points where appropriate.

Closing SentenceClosing Sentence

This sentence completes the This sentence completes the thought expressed in the thought expressed in the paragraph. paragraph.

In addition, this sentence In addition, this sentence should also should also set up a set up a connection to the next connection to the next paragraphparagraph. .

A sample paragraph:A sample paragraph:Imperialism was a foreign policy used Imperialism was a foreign policy used

by the British for a number of different by the British for a number of different reasons. An imperialist nation acquired vast reasons. An imperialist nation acquired vast amounts of additional territory. Imperialism amounts of additional territory. Imperialism added to Britain's wealth by providing raw added to Britain's wealth by providing raw materials for use in its factories. Imperialist materials for use in its factories. Imperialist nations such as Britain argued that they nations such as Britain argued that they were spreading more advanced civilization were spreading more advanced civilization to areas of the world that they said were to areas of the world that they said were "backward" and "uncivilized." Lastly, "backward" and "uncivilized." Lastly, imperialism brought with it a great deal of imperialism brought with it a great deal of glory and prestige for the British Empire glory and prestige for the British Empire (Killoran and Ilg. 54). (Killoran and Ilg. 54).

Writing Research PapersWriting Research Papers

Final Words Final Words The goal of the research essay is The goal of the research essay is notnot to gather information to gather information and report on it. Research essays are assigned so that you and report on it. Research essays are assigned so that you can study a certain topic, develop a research question, and can study a certain topic, develop a research question, and

answer it using the materials you have studied answer it using the materials you have studied plus plus your your own analysis.own analysis.


I want to see that you are thinking through an issue, not I want to see that you are thinking through an issue, not simply explaining or quoting what you have read. simply explaining or quoting what you have read.


The information you discover in your research is thus only The information you discover in your research is thus only the foundation, the first part, of the task. What is more the foundation, the first part, of the task. What is more

important is your ability to important is your ability to useuse that information to advance that information to advance the world’s knowledge.the world’s knowledge.

VocabularyVocabulary

Thesis Statement/Research Question-Thesis Statement/Research Question-

a complete sentence that contains one a complete sentence that contains one main idea. The idea controls the content of main idea. The idea controls the content of the entire essay.the entire essay.

Example:Example:

Birth order can have a significant impact in Birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character.the formation of a child’s character.


Plagiarism-Plagiarism- using another writer’s words or unique ideas using another writer’s words or unique ideas

as if they were your ownas if they were your own


In-text citation-In-text citation- When you have cited inside your research When you have cited inside your research

paper that it is not your own thoughts/words.paper that it is not your own thoughts/words. Example:Example:According to Robert Young, “Numerous According to Robert Young, “Numerous

psychologists believe that one’s birth order psychologists believe that one’s birth order had the greatest influence on a person’s had the greatest influence on a person’s character” (Only Child). character” (Only Child).


Reference PageReference Page A separate page from the text of the essay.A separate page from the text of the essay. A list of every source or person used for your A list of every source or person used for your

research paper.research paper. Example-Example-Blume, Judy. Welcome to Judy Blume’s Home Blume, Judy. Welcome to Judy Blume’s Home

Base. 9 Sept 2004.29 June 2005 Base. 9 Sept 2004.29 June 2005 <http://www.judyblume.com>.<http://www.judyblume.com>.


Outline-Outline- The organizational plan for your paper.The organizational plan for your paper. Example:Example:

I. Introductionof benefit of musicII. The Cause for MotivationIII. The Cause of AlertnessIV. How is this Beneficial?V. Restate importance

"A General Guide For Writing History Research Papers" Christopher "A General Guide For Writing History Research Papers" Christopher Newport University. 1997. http//www.cnu.edu/academics/wcenter/ Newport University. 1997. http//www.cnu.edu/academics/wcenter/ html/history.htm. (22 May 1997). html/history.htm. (22 May 1997).Briggs, Bonnie-Anne, and Petersen, Catherine, Fish. Briggs, Bonnie-Anne, and Petersen, Catherine, Fish. Brief Review in Brief Review in United States History and Government. United States History and Government. Needham, Mass: Needham, Mass: Prentice Hall, 1997. Prentice Hall, 1997.Global History and Geography Regents Examination Test Sampler Global History and Geography Regents Examination Test Sampler Draft, Draft, Spring 1999. New York: New York Board of Regents,Spring 1999. New York: New York Board of Regents, 1999. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/assess/ghist1.pdf and 1999. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/assess/ghist1.pdf and http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/assess/ghist2.pdf. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/assess/ghist2.pdf. (28 March 2001). (28 March 2001).Global Studies Regents Exam, Global Studies Regents Exam, June 1996. New York: New York June 1996. New York: New York Board of Regents, 1996. Board of Regents, 1996.Global Studies Regents Exam, Global Studies Regents Exam, June 1997. New York: New York June 1997. New York: New York Board of Regents, 1997. Board of Regents, 1997.Killoran, James, and Zimmer, Stuart, Ilg. Killoran, James, and Zimmer, Stuart, Ilg. The Key to Understanding The Key to Understanding Global Studies. Global Studies. Lake Ronkonkoma, New York: Jarrett Publishing Lake Ronkonkoma, New York: Jarrett Publishing Co., 1995 Co., 1995Livingston, Kathy."Compose a Thesis Statement" Livingston, Kathy."Compose a Thesis Statement" Kathy's Home Kathy's Home Page. Page. 2000. http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/2000. http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/ thesis.html. (28 March 2001). thesis.html. (28 March 2001).Livingston, Kathy. "Writing a Basic Essay" Livingston, Kathy. "Writing a Basic Essay" Kathy's Home Page. Kathy's Home Page. 2000. http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/index.html. 2000. http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/index.html. (28 March 2001). (28 March 2001).

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