How to Write a Research Paper
First check on the format that your prof or teacher wants the research paper (MLA/APA/Harvard etc.).
Research papers are intended to demonstrate a student’s academic knowledge of a subject.
Dig into the research process.
Research will help you in several ways:
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Understanding your subject
Formulating ideas for your paper
Developing a thesis statement
Speaking about your topic with authority
Gather resource materials and begin reviewing them. A well written research paper uses many sources.
Here are a few good information sources:
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Google Scholar
Books and periodicals
Newspaper and magazine articles
Government publications, guides, and reports
*Important - Do not rely on Wikipedia or general web searches
Writing Tools and Software
Whether you are writing an article, research paper, essay, blog, and dissertation or PhD thesis, it is
important to choose an appropriate writing software tool for your work. These tools will format based on
your requirements.
Some examples:
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Microsoft Word/One Note
Latex
OpenOffice
LibreOffice
Scrivener
GoogleDocs
DropBoxPaper
As you read and evaluate the information you discover, take notes. Keep track of your reference materials
so you can cite them and build your bibliography/references later.
Referencing Tools and Reference Management Software
Referencing tools are handy to organize and format references so that you can easily incorporate them in
your essays, research papers, dissertations and PhD thesis. There are many terms used for such tools such
as referencing software, referencing tool, reference management software, citation software, citation
app, paper software, citation manager, research paper management tool, bibliography software,
literature review software, literature management software and research paper organizer. These all refer
to a piece of software or an online tool that allows you to store and format references. It is very important
that you choose a referencing tool for your research and stick to it. Examples of referencing tools include:
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Zotero
Mendeley
EndNote
RefWorks
Citavi
PaperPile
JabRef
Papers
Docear
There are three methods of including another writer’s work into your paper. They are citing (quoting),
paraphrasing and summarizing.
Citation should repeat the original text word-for-word and include a reference to the original writer of
the source document.
Paraphrasing means retelling a passage of the original text using your own words and sentence structures.
The author of the original must be referenced.
Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s).
Summaries are significantly shorter than a paraphrase because summaries take a broader overview of the
source material.
Know the difference between a citation and a reference:
Citation
A specific source that you mention in the body of your paper. The format of the citation may change
depending on the style you use (e.g. MLA and APA) and the way that you weave the citation into your
writing, but the basic elements of the citation that you need to include are as follows.
If rewording then include:
Name of the author(s)
Year of publication
Page number or page range
*If you quote a source directly you must include the exact page number in your citation, or it is incomplete.
References
This is a list of the sources you have cited in your paper. The references come at the end of your paper.
Every source that is listed in your references also needs to be cited in the body of your paper.
Every source listed in your references should be accessible by others who read your work. Think of it as a
trail of breadcrumbs that you leave for readers to show them where they can go to find the original source
material for themselves.
In APA style, not all work that is cited necessarily goes into the references. For example, personal
communications get cited in the body of your paper, to show the reader that you have a source for your
information. But if the reader can not track that source as a primary document (because, for example, the
information is contained within a private e-mail between you and someone else), then it does not go into
the reference list.
It is not very common that sources are cited but not referenced. Use sources such as personal
communications sparingly, if at all. The more credible sources you have in your references, the better
quality your work will be perceived as having.
In general, there should be an exact match between the sources you cite in the body of your paper and
those that appear in your references.
The actual books, articles and other materials you consult are called your sources of information. You
need to know how to cite and reference all your sources correctly.
Tip: Try storing your notes in a spreadsheet. Create columns for elements you want to include in your
paper as well as information necessary for your citations/bibliography. Columns can include headings such
as Title, Author, Reference link, Page number, and Quotes.
Organize your notes before you start writing.
The Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your paper and previews your
supporting points. The thesis statement is important because it guides your readers from the beginning
of your essay by telling them the main idea and supporting points.
Most research papers begin with a thesis statement at the end of an introductory paragraph. Even if it’s
not a requirement, it’s a good idea to write a thesis statement as you begin to organize your research.
Writing the thesis statement first is helpful because every argument or point you make in your paper
should support this central idea you’re putting forward.
Most research papers fall into one of three categories: analytical, expository, or argumentative. If you’re
presenting an analysis of information, then your paper is analytical. If you’re writing to explain
information, then your paper is expository. If you’re arguing a conclusion, then it’s argumentative or
persuasive. Your thesis statement should match the type of paper you’re writing.
Invest time in writing your thesis statement—it’s the main idea of your paper, from which everything else
flows. Without a well-thought-out thesis statement, your paper is likely to end up jumbled and with an
unclear purpose. Here’s more guidance from Purdue OWL.
The Outline
An outline will help you organize your thoughts before you dig into the writing process. Once you’ve
developed your thesis statement, think about the main points you’ll need to present to support that
statement. Those main points are your sub-headings. Now, organize your thoughts and information under
each sub-heading.
Any information that doesn’t fit within the framework of your outline, and doesn’t directly support your
thesis statement, no matter how interesting, doesn’t belong in your research paper. Keep your focus
narrow and avoid the kitchen sink approach. Everything you learn may be fascinating, but not all of it is
going to be relevant to your paper.
Writing the Research Paper
The good news is, once you reach this point in the process you’re likely to feel energized by all the ideas
and thoughts you’ve uncovered in your research, and you’ll have a clear direction because you’ve taken
the time to create a thesis statement and organize your presentation with an outline.
Here are the best elements to a research paper:
The Introduction
Here’s where you present the background and context for the rest of your article. Craft a strong opening
sentence that will engage the reader. Just because you’re writing an academic research paper doesn’t
mean you have to be dry and boring.
The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper.
Set the context – Provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader
can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support.
State why the main idea is important – Tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your
goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon.
State your thesis/claim – Compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support.
The Body of the Paper
Here’s where your outline will come in handy. As you’re writing, remember that your outline isn’t meant
to be a prison—it’s a guideline to keep you on track. Your paper may evolve, so keep it fluid, but do
remember to stay focused on your thesis statement and proving your points. Don’t let your sources
organize your paper! Organize first and use your sources as they become relevant.
Find supporting arguments (references) for each point you make, and present a strong point first, followed
by an even stronger one, and finish with your strongest point.
Conclusion
Now, it’s time to wrap it up. Most research papers conclude with a restated thesis statement. Present
your thesis again, but reword it. Briefly summarize the points you’ve made. Take a moment to explain
why you believe those points support your case. If your research is inconclusive, take a moment to point
out why you believe this topic bears further research.
Make sure you allow time to revise and edit after you’ve completed your first draft. This part of the
process is about much more than just fixing typos and adding or subtracting commas. Here’s a handy
checklist to help you make sure your paper is on point.
Is your thesis statement clear and concise?
Is your paper well-organized and does it flow from beginning to end with logical transitions?
Do your ideas follow a logical sequence in each paragraph?
Have you used concrete details and facts and avoided generalizations?
Do your arguments support and prove your thesis?
Have you avoided repetition?
Are your sources properly cited?
Have you checked for accidental plagiarism?
Is your language clear and specific?
Do your sentences flow smoothly and clearly? (Hint: Read your paper aloud to help you catch syntax
problems.)
Have you avoided filler words and phrases?
Have you checked for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation? (Hint: Grammarly can help!)
Thorough research, thoughtful organization and presentation, and attention to detail in your
developmental and final line edit will help you succeed in crafting a winning research paper.
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