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A research paper is any kind of academic writing based on original research which features analysis and interpretation from the author — and it can be a bit overwhelming to begin with! Table of contents Understand the assignment Understand your audience Choose a research paper topic Conduct preliminary research Develop a thesis statement Create a research paper outline Paragraph structure Write a first draft of the research paper Write an research paper introduction Write a compelling body of text Write the research paper conclusion The second draft The revision process Checklist. Part of completing a piece of assessment successfully means accomplishing the specific tasks set out for you. That entails properly and thoroughly understanding the assignment task sheet, which you can achieve by doing the following:.
How to Write a Research Paper . . . and Get an A+
Research your topic, find reliable sources, and come up with a working thesis. Then create an outline and start drafting your paper. Be sure to leave plenty of time to make revisions, as editing is essential if you want to hand in your best work!
Tip: If you need to analyze a piece of literature, your task is to pull the work apart into literary elements and explain how the author uses those parts to make their point. Tip: Some people prefer to write the introduction first and use it to structure the rest of the paper. However, others like to write the body, then fill in the introduction. Do whichever seems natural to you. Tip: Try to give yourself at least 2 or 3 days to revise your paper. It may be tempting to simply give your paper a quick read and use the spell-checker to make edits.
However, revising your paper properly is more in-depth. To write a research paper, start by researching your topic at the library, online, or using an academic database. As you conduct your research and take notes, zero in on a specific topic that you want to write about and create a sentence thesis to state the focus of your paper. Then, create an outline that includes an introduction, 3 to 5 body paragraphs to present your arguments, and a conclusion to sum up your main points.
Once you have your paper's structure organized, draft your paragraphs, focusing on 1 argument per paragraph. Use the information you found through your research to back up your claims and prove your thesis statement. Finally, proofread and revise your content until it's polished and ready to submit. For more information on researching and citing sources, read on! Did this summary help you?
Yes No. Log in Facebook. No account yet? Create an account. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Article Edit. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Chris Hadley, PhD is part of the wikiHow team and works on content strategy and data and analytics. Chris' academic research has been published in numerous scientific journals. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
Learn more Explore this Article Researching Your Topic. Drafting Your Essay. Revising Your Paper. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Sample Scientific Research Paper. Sample Environmental Research Paper. Sample Research Paper Outline. Part 1 of All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Focus your research on a narrow topic.
Then, as you read, you home in on transferware and pottery. Ultimately, you focus on 1 potter in the s who invented a way to mass-produce patterned tableware. Search for credible sources online and at a library. Additionally, check your sources' dates, and make sure the information you gather is up to date. Evaluate how other scholars have approached your topic. Identify authoritative sources or works that are accepted as the most important accounts of the subject matter. Additionally, look for debates among scholars, and ask yourself who presents the strongest evidence for their case.
List your sources, format them according to your assigned style guide such as MLA or Chicago , and write 2 or 3 summary sentences below each one. Come up with a preliminary thesis. As you learn more about your topic, develop a working thesis, or a concise statement that presents an argument.
Part 2 of Use Roman numerals I. Then sketch out the body paragraphs and conclusion. For easy reference, include your sources where they fit into your outline, like this: III. Spode vs. Wedgewood on Mass Production A. Spode: Perfected chemical formula with aims for fast production and distribution Travis, , 43 B. Wedgewood: Courted high-priced luxury market; lower emphasis on mass production Himmelweit, , 71 C. Therefore: Wedgewood, unlike Spode, delayed the expansion of the pottery market. Present your thesis and argument in the introduction.
Start with an attention-grabbing sentence to draw in your audience and introduce the topic. Build your argument in the body paragraphs. First, set the context for your readers, especially if the topic is obscure. Then, in around 3 to 5 body paragraphs, focus on a specific element or piece of evidence that supports your thesis. Each idea should flow to the next so the reader can easily follow your logic. Next, discuss how targeting middle class consumers increased demand and expanded the pottery industry globally.
Then, you could explain how Spode differed from competitors like Wedgewood, who continued to court aristocratic consumers instead of expanding the market to the middle class. The right number of sections or paragraphs depends on your assignment. In general, shoot for 3 to 5, but check your prompt for your assigned length.
Address a counterargument to strengthen your case. After layout out your evidence, mention a contrasting view on the topic. Then explain why that differing perspective is incorrect and why your claim is more plausible. You could bring up a study that suggested fluoride produced harmful health effects, then explain how its testing methods were flawed.
Summarize your argument in the conclusion. Tell them. Tell them what you told them. To make your conclusion more memorable, you could also connect your thesis to a broader topic or theme to make it more relatable to your reader.
Part 3 of Ensure your paper is well-organized and includes transitions. After finishing your first draft, give it a read and look for big-picture organizational issues. Make sure each sentence and paragraph flow well to the next. You may have to rewrite a paragraph or swap sections around, but taking the time for revisions is important if you want to hand in your best work.
That way, you can start editing it with fresh eyes. Cut out unnecessary words and other fluff. Each word in your paper should do a specific job. Try to avoid including extra words just to fill up blank space on a page or sound fancy.
Proofread for spelling, grammatical, and formatting errors. As you read, check for flow as well and, if necessary, tweak any spots that sound awkward. Ask a friend, relative, or teacher to read your work before you submit it. New readers can help you find any mistakes and unclear spots that you may have overlooked. Does making a research paper require me to invent something new or it is just about gathering information?
It can be for the both, whether you invent something new to implement or you gather some sort of data based valuable information and synthesize it. Not Helpful 18 Helpful The introduction should set out what you intend to discuss and prove in the research paper, and outline the approaches per topic or heading section.
It is also nice to open the topic and lead into it in an interesting way that helps the reader to want to read on. Not Helpful 24 Helpful
Writing is a process, and no two people write in the same way. We recommend following these steps when writing your paper, and remember that it is okay to. A research paper is different from a research proposal (also known as a prospectus), although the writing process is similar. Research papers are intended to.
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With all the things you have going on as a student, writing a paper can seem like a daunting task.
Writing papers for school can be challenging and time-consuming. In this article, you will learn the format of writing a successful paper and tips on what every teacher is looking for. The deadline is soon--let's get started!
7 Steps in Writing a Research Paper: Enjoy Your Student Life
Research your topic, find reliable sources, and come up with a working thesis. Then create an outline and start drafting your paper. Be sure to leave plenty of time to make revisions, as editing is essential if you want to hand in your best work! Tip: If you need to analyze a piece of literature, your task is to pull the work apart into literary elements and explain how the author uses those parts to make their point. Tip: Some people prefer to write the introduction first and use it to structure the rest of the paper. However, others like to write the body, then fill in the introduction.
How to write a research paper
Faster and secure way to pay. Are you staring at the blank page on your screen and have no idea how to approach your challenging research paper? If you are not sure where to start, read this article to learn about effective strategies that make this process as painless as possible. Sometimes college students are assigned with their research paper topics , but if you are fortunate enough to have such an option, choose your topic wisely. First of all, think about choosing a challenging topic you are interested in. If your topic is too broad, your research paper is unlikely to be successful because it will look like a general overview. You should narrow your topic down to a certain aspect, concept or idea and make it specific and manageable. Prepare a working thesis before you actually organize your research because it will guide your investigation and will help you stay focused on your subject.
Writing a good research paper can be daunting if you have never done it before.
There are two words that evoke instant anxiety in nearly every academic—research paper. A research paper is different from a research proposal also known as a prospectus , although the writing process is similar.
How to Write a Research Paper: 10 Steps + Resources
This page lists some of the stages involved in writing a library-based research paper. Although this list suggests that there is a simple, linear process to writing such a paper, the actual process of writing a research paper is often a messy and recursive one, so please use this outline as a flexible guide. This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels. Incorporating Interview Data. Additional Resources for Grants and Proposal Writing. Writing Personal Statements for Ph. Resources for Proposal Writers. Planning and Writing Research Papers. Writing Annotated Bibliographies. Creating Poster Presentations. Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper. Writing a Review of Literature. Writing an Effective Blog Post. U niversity of W isconsin —Madison. Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic Try to find a topic that truly interests you Try writing your way to a topic Talk with your course instructor and classmates about your topic Pose your topic as a question to be answered or a problem to be solved Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources You will need to look at the following types of sources: library catalog, periodical indexes, bibliographies, suggestions from your instructor primary vs.
How to Write High-Quality Papers and Essays More Quickly
Even as someone who basically writes papers for a living these days like this article , I still viewed every college paper with a tinge of dread. As I moved through college, however, I developed a system for cranking out papers in record time. This let me spend more time on things that I enjoyed, such as writing for this blog and taking long walks through the woods. Students would spend hours researching and writing a paper on a completely different topic than what the professor assigned. Best case scenario, the professor is nice and lets you rewrite it, but why do all that extra work? Furthermore, asking the professor for clarification shows initiative —that you care about the assignment.
