A research paper summarizes existing knowledge on a topic by analyzing and organizing information from multiple sources. The research process involves selecting a topic, conducting preliminary research, taking notes, outlining findings, writing drafts, and providing citations and a bibliography. Key parts of a research paper include an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs analyzing subtopics, and a conclusion. Sources can include encyclopedias, books, interviews, websites and more.

1. Research Papers Re =back Search =to look; to find

2. What is a research paper? A research paper is a summary of what others have already said or written on a given subject.

3. The only originality is: Your selection and organization of the material. Your presentation and expression. Your general conclusion.

4. The research paper is a presentation of facts which are: Based upon reading or consulting several specified sources. Presented according to a standard method or procedure (process). Limited to a relatively narrow phase of a subject. Original in selection, evaluation, expression, and conclusion.

5. Seven Steps in the Process of Writing a Research Paper Select a topic and limit it. Works cited. Preliminary outlines. Reading and taking notes. Assembling notes into final outline. Rough draft. Final draft with parenthetical documentation and works cited.

6. Parts of a Research Paper Title Page: Front page of paper containing information required by the teacher. Introduction: First paragraph of the paper. Thesis Statement: Part of the introduction; a statement that is one statement about your paper in general. Body: The main part of a research paper; main topics with subtopics and details. Conclusion: The last paragraph which may state your opinion. Works Cited: List of the sources that you used to write your paper.

7. Types of Sources General Encyclopedia: Book that contains general information about many topics. Dictionary: Book containing alphabetically arranged words and their definitions/usages. Thesaurus: Lists of synonyms and antonyms. Autobiography: Book about someone’s life written by that same person.

8. More Sources Biography: Book about someone’s life written by another person. Atlas: Book of maps Almanac: Annual book with calendars, weather forecasts, astronomical info. and other facts Encyclopedia Yearbook: Book containing general information about a certain year.

9. Still More Sources Interview: Personal meeting in which info. is obtained from a person with subject knowledge. Quotation Resource: Book with famous quotations by various people. Biographical Reference Book: Contains brief biographical info. on a person.

10. And Still More Sources Electronic Card Catalog: Electronic database of info.within the media center. Internet: World Wide Web (evaluate carefully!) Writers’ Handbooks. Instruction Sheets and Notes from Class.

11. Research Helpers Copyright Page: Lists the publisher and date when a book was published. (Use the latest date.) Table of Contents: List of info. in the book in sequential order. Index: Alphabetical list of all the topics covered in a book with the page numbers listed. Cross Reference: An entry that tells you to see other topics for add’t./related info. See also:

12. Are You Ready For Some Research? Stay on task! Meet all deadlines! Be responsible! You CAN do it!!!