Writing the Research Paper

The Writing Center & The Ethel K. Smith Library Present:

True research papers are more than a loose collection of anecdotal memories or a patchwork of data pulled from several books.

True research papers are more than a loose collection of anecdotal memories or a patchwork of data pulled from several books. A true research paper will be a unique and appropriate integration of evidence you have located from outside sources AND your personal insights.

10 Steps to a Successful Research Paper

Understand the Genre

Choose Your Topic

Narrow the Scope

Develop a Thesis or Research Question

Conduct Your Research

Create an Outline

Write the First Draft

Revise the Draft (HOC)

Proofread (LOC)

Submit the Paper!

There are two styles of research papers

Research papers come in all shapes, sizes, forms, and disciplines. Your first step should be to determine which style of research paper you will write.

There are two styles of research papers:

To Analyze:

A. Answer a Question,

B. Break a Topic into its individual parts,

C. Critically Examine those parts,

D. Re-assemble the parts with your personal insights.

2 . To Argue:

A. Take a position on an arguable or controversial Topic,

B. Persuade your audience “for” or “against” the position,

C. Provide Evidence for your position that has been Critically Examined,

D. Assemble Evidence logically and Interpret that evidence through your insights.

Now that you have a few guidelines on what type of research paper you’ll be doing, you need something to do it on : a TOPIC

First, make sure you thoroughly understand the assignment .

Don’t be shy about approaching your professor to clarify any points on the assignment you’re not sure about .

Don’t be shy about approaching your professor about a topic you’re interested in researching that may not be specifically stated on the assignment sheet.

The real key to successful papers is motivation ! Try several invention techniques (free writing, charting, clustering, etc.) to find what topics interest you !

First, think of yourself .

Is the topic something you believe in?

Something you’re passionate about?

Something that intrigues you or an area you’d like to learn more about?

Even if the assignment gives you a specific topic, think of ways to frame or shape the topic to suit your needs, style, and interests.

Next, think of your audience.

Will other people be interested in your topic?

Do you have something new to say about the topic?

Finally, understand your role. Professor, I know much less than you about this topic, and you will decide what grade I earn. So my role is to show you how much information I dug up and your role is to decide if it’s enough.

Professor, I know much less than you about this topic, and you will decide what grade I earn. So my role is to show you how much information I dug up and your role is to decide if it’s enough.

Reverse the roles of teacher & student:

You are someone who knows something others need to know.

Three Approaches :

I’ve found something really interesting.

I’ve found a solution to a practical problem important to you.

I’ve found an answer to a question important to you.

Preliminary Research

Refining Your Topic

Thesis Statement:

If you have chosen an argumentative style for your research paper.

Research Question:

If you have chosen an analytical style for your research paper.

Your Thesis Statement or Research Question should be revised AFTER you’ve completed your research and again AFTER you’ve written your first draft!

Three Most Important Steps:

Understand the types of resources

Critically read and evaluate those sources

Take effective notes while reading and evaluating.

Prepare your outline AFTER you’ve done your research to avoid “narrowing” yourself too much at this point.

A tentative, but clear, thesis statement or research question will keep you on task, but still leaves you open to new angles and ideas on your topic.

Four Main Components for Effective Outlines:

Parallelism

Coordination

Subordination

Division

Writing your First Draft should take LESS time than the Invention and Research stages.

Revising should DEFINITELY take longer than writing your first draft.

Having a solid thesis or question and a good outline will allow you to write the first draft quickly

First drafts should be “messy;” the revision process is when you “clean up” the draft.

If it’s taking “too long” to get through the first draft:

You may have started writing the draft too early. Make sure you have sufficient source material and that you have strong command of that material.

Your thesis, question, or outline needs more development

You are revising while you draft. Every writer has an internal CREATOR and a CRITIC. Turn your CRITIC off while you are drafting—only CREATE!

Revision basically means “to see again.”

It IS NOT Proofreading, it should address Higher Order Concerns.

Always take time away from your paper after finishing the first draft before beginning the revision process.

Revision is:

Adding,

Cutting,

Replacing,

Or Moving Material Around.

As you begin revising, consider ALL 16 of the points listed on the Revision Heuristic Handout.

Proofreading is the final step in the process. It should address lower order concerns such as: Subject-Verb Agreement Tense Issues Non-Sexist Language Diction (Word Choice) Spelling and Grammar Errors Formatting Issues (MLA, APA, etc.) Always change your computer's spell check program to Academic Style and Grammar Settings, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO THOSE MESSAGES

Check for alignment and presentation issues before printing. Turn It In!