How to Write a Basic Research Paper

Writing a research paper is relatively easy if you have a good topic and reliable information. Here's how.

Things You'll Need

• Topic
• Resources

Instructions

1. Choose a topic that interests you, but also something you can find ample information on. Make sure the subject is specific--but not too specific. You don't want a broad topic like "dogs," but you also don't want a topic like "Black and White Wire-Haired Terriers with White-Tipped Tails." A topic like "Wire-Haired Terriers" is just right. Make sure to run your topic by your teacher ahead of time so she can approve it.

2. Decide on your sources. Where are you going to find your information? Are you going to check out the library or the bookstore? Will you conduct interviews or surveys? Will you use periodicals, encyclopedias or the Internet? Figure out your best bet for reliable sources and how to go about gathering them.

3. Begin your research. Look primarily for pertinent, recent and reliable information. Make notes.

4. Compile a list of the sources you've used in writing the paper. Make sure to include such information as the author, title, publication, the publisher and date.

5. Making an outline is a vital step in writing a successful research paper. Put the body of your paper in a logical order, remembering to state your topic, and then listing your supporting or contradictory evidence. Making an outline will help you to get a feel for the layout of the paper and how to best organize it. An outline is simply there to help you put your paper into logical order. Remember to include your thesis and conclusion in the outline as well.

6. Begin your rough draft. Collect information to back up the data you find, and present strong evidence for your argument. If you discover you don't have enough information while writing your rough draft, you can always collect more.

7. Plagiarism is never acceptable. Make footnotes of all quotations, and paraphrase the facts you collect and the source from which they came. If you do not list sources nor do the research yourself, you are plagiarizing. If there are questions as to what is considered plagiarism, ask your teacher.

8. Proofread your paper. Be critical. If you're missing pieces of information, or your conclusions feel incomplete, go back and gather more. Check for grammar and spelling problems. Have someone check the paper for you who can look at it with fresh eyes and is more apt to notice discrepancies.

9. Your final draft should include supporting evidence, logical conclusions, reliable sources and a logical organization.

10. No paper is complete without a "Works Cited" page tacked onto the end. List all the important information you collected about your sources in Step 4 in this section. For specific layout guidelines on putting together your bibliography, ask your instructor.