How to Write a Research Paper
Writing a research paper might seem like an academic obstacle you will barely solve. A lot of students fear having to write a research paper, mainly because there is a negative aura that surrounds this type of paper. But even though this might be among academic papers that are more complex, approaching it step by step can lower its complexity.
When you see the requirement list, you might feel overwhelmed. Where to start? How to choose the topic? How to do research? These are some of the questions that might come to your mind. However, you should know that research paper writing can be easier than you imagine it to be. You can use all these negative emotions to build a positive outcome. And you can do this by following this guide.
- Understand the requirements
- Choose the topic
- Start your research
- Write your thesis statement
- Make an outline
- Start writing
- Editing, proofreading, and citing
Understand the Requirements and the Assignment
The first step you should begin with is reading the assignment to understand the requirements. There might be lots of them, but do not let yourself be overwhelmed by them. You can make a list of the things you need to consider when writing the research paper.
For example, the deadline, length, format, and how to submit it. These details will help you plan the entire process effectively. Understand the goal of the paper and if you need to choose a topic by yourself.
Next, it would be useful to note on this list some key points too. It will help cross them as you complete or include them in your paper and see your progress, but also make sure you include everything. And if there are any requirements or guidelines that are confusing, you can always send an email or talk with your teacher to clarify them.
Choose the Topic
Many teachers prefer to allow students to freely choose their topic. They might provide you with a general theme, but that has a rich diversity of topics to choose from. If you find yourself in this position, it would be worthier to considering a few tips and tricks.
You should select a topic you have a genuine interest in, a topic that engages you. This way, the entire process of researching and writing the paper will be enjoyable and captivating. Next, you should choose a topic that has enough content.
A research paper is focused on presenting stats and case studies, so you need to have available literature on the topic. Ideally, you need to find a topic that satisfies these conditions so that the process will be easy.
Start Your Research
This is one of the most important parts of the writing process. After you have chosen your topic and made your list of requirements, you could begin your research. Start searching for other studies on your topic.
The most important tip would be to choose high authoritative sources, such as scientific journals. You can find, for sure, a lot of books in the college library. But you can also search for papers on Google Scholar. While you read them, take notes with the most important findings or with stats or facts you want to include in your paper. Keep an eye on the things they might have missed in their research or the limitations of their studies. This will help you craft your thesis statement.
Thesis Statement
Crafting a thesis statement might seem complicated, but the first draft will not be the final one. However, having a thesis statement will guide the entire writing process, so it would be helpful to have one before you start writing. A thesis statement should be short and concise, as you will expand on your arguments in the paper. Nonetheless, you should mention one or two of them to support your point of view.
Make an Outline
One of the most important steps you should not skip. An outline helps you create a paper that has structure. Your ideas should smoothly flow. And an outline will help you do this. So, you already have your topic, some research notes, and a thesis statement.
Even though you will do more research and refine your thesis statement, you can organize the structure of the paper. Make sure it has the most important parts such as the introduction (with thesis statement), body (with presenting the arguments), and conclusion (where you discuss the findings).
Start Writing
If you have an outline where you organized the information you have and want to include, you can start writing. At this point, you already have a few details and starting points. You may feel, during the writing process, that you need more information on a specific detail. You will surely combine research with writing, which is what usually happens. Make sure you include relevant information that comes from high authoritative sources.
Do Not Forget About Citation and Proofreading
One of the crucial things you should not miss is including your citation. If you do not cite your sources properly, you may be suspected of plagiarism. Teachers use plagiarism checking tools and there are strict policies against it. It would be helpful to read your paper after you finish it, to proofread and edit any sentences and paragraphs, and check if you used the right citation methods.
Final Thoughts
Writing a research paper might seem scary at the beginning. However, approaching the process step by step will give you control over it. With every step completed, you will be closer to the finish. Give yourself the time you need to research, write, and think about your arguments. It will surely be a powerful research paper.
