Steps in the Process of Writing a Research Paper
Writing a good research paper requires a lot of time and preparation. Good research papers include a strong thesis statement and research from reputable sources. Allowing plenty of time to conduct research and writing the paper itself is vital to producing a high quality paper. Staying focused and careful preparation will make the research writing process much easier.
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Instructions
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Choose a topic. It is important to choose a topic that you are interested in, but don't know too much about. Before you commit to a certain topic, make sure there are enough reliable resources available about your topic.
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Pick a few reputable resources about your topic. Search library catalogs, journals, periodical indexes and books. It is important to find sources that are most appropriate for supporting your topic.
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Develop a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a simple sentence that sums up your argument. Your thesis shouldn't be something that is common knowledge, such as "Exercise helps promote weight loss." Instead, it should be something that is controversial and can proved by your resources.
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Create an outline. An outline will help you organize your ideas. Lay out each paragraph topic, and what you want to discuss in each one. Give each paragraph a heading, followed by subheadings listing what will be discussed. For example, your first paragraph may be labeled "Introduction" with subheadings "Startling statistic, Explain Importance of Topic and Define Thesis."
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Write a rough draft. You can choose to type this version or write it out by hand. Include an introduction, body and conclusion in your paper. After you are finished, have some of your classmates look over your paper. They may spot mistakes in your paper that you may have missed.
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Write the final draft. This version should be typed and take all of your classmate's edits in account. Use transitions throughout the paper to make flow smoothly. For example, use words like "next," "secondly" and "finally" to transition through your paragraphs. Avoid using the same words too much. If you find yourself using the same word over and over, look up its synonym in a thesaurus and replace it with that word.
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Create a bibliography page. Every resource you use in your paper should be documented. Make sure to use the appropriate format assigned by your instructor. Also, include in-text citations throughout your paper.
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