How to Write a Grade 12 Research Essay

Plan your essay well to avoid writer's block at the last minute.

You are in your final year of high school, and your teacher expects you to submit a well thought-out and researched essay. This may be the last essay you have to write for a long time, or it might be a really good way to practice for all of the college essays you will have to write. Write this paper like you are turning it in to a college professor, and you will have no problem making the transition to college writing or to writing reports for your employer in the future.

Instructions

1. Go over your teacher's instructions at least twice. Make sure you understand everything she wants you to do, from how she wants you to cite your research sources to how long the essay has to be when you are finished. Understand how you are to approach your research topic, whether she gives it to you or you have to come up with one on your own.

2. Sit down with a piece of paper and pencil to map out ideas for your topic. Write a general topic in the middle of the paper, for example, the American Revolution. Write down more specific ideas about the topic around it. Your paper might include famous heroes of the American Revolution. Finally, include very specific ideas around the ones you just wrote. For example, you may include the real story behind Paul Revere's midnight ride. The more specific you are about your topic, the easier it will be to throw out research you do not need and keep your essay focused.

3. Write down your thesis statement. This says exactly what you think about your topic. It is your opinion or hypothesis in one or two sentences. This statement will guide your research. Keep a copy of it next to you as you search databases, the Web, articles and books for information about your topic. Do not make notes on any information that does not pertain to your thesis and topic directly.

4. Write down where you got your information from when you research your topic. Write down the author, the title and other publication information for every source so you can include it in your works cited page.

5. Draft your first copy of the essay. Include your thesis statement at the end of your introduction. Tell the reader why he should read your essay and why he should care about your thesis statement.

6. Support your thesis with several arguments in the body of your report. Include evidence to bolster your arguments from your research. Cite your sources within the body of your essay according to the style your teacher recommends. For example, if you are writing a literature essay, use the Modern Language Association style of citation. Other styles include Chicago or American Psychological Association.

7. Summarize your essay's points in your conclusion. Avoid introducing new information not included in other parts of the essay.

8. Write another essay draft. Proofread and then request that another person read it. Read for structure and logical argument flow, as well as for spelling, grammar and typos. Include transitions that help your essay flow smoothly. Write a final draft, if necessary.

9. Write a bibliography. Double check it for punctuation and formatting. Include all of the information required by the style of citation you are using.

References

• The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison: Planning and Writing an Research Paper
• Lieracy Education Online: Strategies for Writing a Conclusion
• The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Introductions