The document provides 7 steps for writing a research paper: 1) Choose a topic and narrow it down, 2) Gather materials and develop a focus question, 3) Take notes from sources and organize them, 4) Decide on a thesis statement that makes an argument, 5) Create an outline to develop the thesis, 6) Write drafts while focusing on the thesis and properly citing sources, 7) Revise drafts based on feedback and refine the paper. The goal is to start with a broad topic, develop a narrow focus question and thesis, gather and organize evidence, and write multiple drafts to produce a clear, well-argued final paper.

1. Writing the Research Paper
Essential Information and Tips

2. Step 1: Choose your topic.
• If at all possible, choose a subject
or an aspect of a subject that
interests you
• Narrow down the topic. Notice the
difference between:
– “The effects of digital technology on
education”
– “Online courses: an improvement over
in-class learning?”

3. Step 2: Gather materials.
• Have a focus for your paper: a
question that you want to answer -
- e.g., “What are the advantages
and disadvantages of online
learning?”
– Note: this is not yet a thesis. A thesis
would be a tentative answer to this
question
• Put together a bibliography
– Professors will often require this

4. Step 3: Take notes on your sources.
• Organize your notes according to
topic
– Use 3x5 file cards
– or create a computer file to keep
notes
• Give each note card or page a title
and make sure you have all
referencing information (it’s easier to
do this sooner than later!)
• Use your own words when possible;
avoid excessive use of long
quotations

5. Step 4: Decide on a thesis.
• A thesis is a statement that states an
argument or makes an assertion.
– It is a statement that someone could
disagree with!
– This thesis is tentative; you will probably
need to revise it between the first and the
final draft
• You don’t have a thesis if you say
– “This paper is about . . .” or
– “This paper will discuss the question . . .”

6. Step 5: make an outline.
• Thesis statement
• Development of thesis
– supporting research
– contrary research (naysayer)
• Conclusions/summary/
reaction -- or a combination
of these, depending on what
your professor assigns

7. Step 6: write the first drafts.
• STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR THESIS!
Eliminate materials that do not relate to it.
• Pay attention to the flow of ideas.
• Reference properly all quotes, paraphrases,
and uses of ideas from your sources.
• Run a spell and grammar check
• Print out paper or review on screen
– PROOFREAD!! Correct mechanical and
stylistic errors
• Re-print paper
• The rough draft should not be the same as
“first draft” that your professor sees

8. Step 7: revise and rewrite.
• Take seriously all comments made
by professors and peers on your
drafts!
• If not “officially” a multi-draft project,
write at least two to three drafts
anyway.
• Be sure to spell check, proofread,
and check references for the final
product.
– DO NOT turn in a paper with handwritten
corrections.
– Final draft should be a refined piece of
work: clear, clean, coherent.