How to Write a Research Paper

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Writing a good research paper is a tough challenge, but breaking it down into smaller pieces helps a lot.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Dictionaries
Stress Relief Products
Thesauri
Writing Style Manuals
Palm Handheld Organizers
Printers
Desk Lamps
Highlighter Pens
Index Cards
Notebooks
Personal Organizers
Printer Paper
Computers
Bibliography Software
Word-processing Software
Notebooks

Step 1

Choose a topic that is broad enough to be interesting but narrow enough to be manageable.
Step 2

Find your sources. Start with three or four, check their bibliographies for additional sources, and repeat the process until you have enough material to work with.
Step 3

Reserve one index card for each source. Record the bibliographic information for the source on its index card, and number each card for ease of future reference.
Step 4

Take reading notes on index cards, writing down only the material that is most relevant to your project. Write the source number on each card.
Step 5

Organize your index cards by topic and subtopic.
Step 6

Use the cards as a basis for an outline (see 'How to Outline a Paper').
Step 7

Write an introduction that grabs the reader and plots out the trajectory of your argument.
Step 8

Write the body of the paper, following the structure you created in your outline. Be sure to cite sources.
Step 9

Write the conclusion, reviewing how you've made your points.
Step 10

Come up with a title after you've written the paper, not before: You don't want the content of the paper to be hamstrung by an inappropriate title.
Step 11

Read your paper at least twice to be sure your argument makes sense and is presented logically.
Step 12

Proofread carefully; teachers hate typographical errors. Use your word processor's spelling checker, but don't rely on it utterly.

Comments

hayla said

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on 9/2/2009 can someone help me with "how to argue in an essay?"
thanks,

on 2/19/2007 i don't need this stuff .... i need things i can use for MIDDLE SCHOOL with SPECIFIC company steps ... we're supposed to use our grammar book as a guide but i left mine at school and it's a holidday so i can't go get it ... all i needed was something that looked similar to what i remembered from my grammar book and this is awful how long it's taking i looked 2 hours yesterday and an hour today and can't seem to find ANYTHING i need... it's clearly not your fault buti need it by tomorrow!!!!!!!!

stuff187 said

on 2/13/2007 For the first time in my life, I am writing a research paper on time rather than procrastinating. I am following the above steps and I can say it's helping a lot.

However, I am taking notes differently. I used index cards in high school and I found them cumbersome.

Now, I take quick notes by hand on a notebook as I read my source. I number the page, paragraph, and the first few words of the quote I want to use. Then, when I have finished the book, I open a Word document and type thorough notes, going back through the book based on my longhand notes.

Once I have enough notes to address my topic, I am ready for the outline.

Anonymous said

on 3/30/2006 Check plot summary books, specifically on your book if you are having trouble coming up with an idea.

Read several research papers (not from the web). Read past research papers from students so you can get the feel if you are weary about writing a research paper or writing one for the first time.

Don't let your research guide your paper. Think of an idea, what you want to say, say it, then good back and find information/research that helps enhance and strengthen your topic or argument.