Breaking up the process of research and writing into easy-to-follow steps is an excellent way to dispel fears of research papers. The following is a basic blueprint for research papers which, if followed, will help alleviate worry and ensure success.
- Delve Deeply into Research
Research is the critical first step in writing a top-notch end-of-term paper. Properly and thoroughly conducted, research will help you:
- Comprehend your subject
- Develop a coherent and compelling argument, or thesis
- Identify supporting points and ideas
- Discuss the subject with command
As you begin research, consult trusted sources such as Google Scholar, books, periodicals, government documents, and online encyclopedias. Take notes and track your citations as you go.
- Organize Your Presentation
Without organization, your presentation of ideas will be a jumble. This will overtax the revision stage of the process, and cost you far too much time and energy.
Begin by articulating a clear and compelling thesis statement. Most research papers will be arguing a point, rather than sharing information. An essay with an easily provable claim is not going to make great reading. Thus, a thesis should be a contentious claim requiring substantial and rigorous proof. The thesis should appear at the beginning of the paper, and is usually positioned as the last sentence of the first paragraph.
Once the thesis is written, you should identify the main points required to support it. Develop an outline in which the main points are listed as sub-headings. Under these sub-headings, organize corresponding thoughts and ideas that support the point being made. The more convincing a point is in proving the overall thesis, the closer to the concluding paragraph it should appear. Thus, as the essay evolves, the reader will encounter more compelling arguments the further he progresses.
- The Introduction
The first sentence should be engaging. It should relate centrally to the topic, which is then introduced, and established as important. A basic plan for the rest of the essay emerges from the introductory paragraph, which should outline the main points used to substantiate the argument. The thesis is then stated.
- The Body of the Paper
Referring to your outline, write the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should elaborate on one of the main points drawn from the introduction. As you write, the paper may begin to evolve; the outline is thus not perfectly rigid. The critical thing to remember while composing body paragraphs is that they remain focused on proving the main points, and on corroborating the thesis.
- The Conclusion
The conclusion serves as an opportunity to recapitulate. A well-restated paper will help the reader to consolidate all the information he has learned. This gives him the chance to properly and fairly evaluate the argument. Therefore, you want to briefly summarize the main points made in the paper. Link them and demonstrate how they support the thesis. The very end of the paper is also an excellent opportunity to present any compelling research questions worthy of inquiry that may have arisen as you were writing.
- Proofread and Revise
You must now carefully correct all errors, both obvious and subtle. The former would include spelling mistakes and errors in grammar and syntax. The latter includes: checking for flow of argument and ideas, avoidance of generalization, ensuring that all information and argumentation is relevant to the thesis, and examining citations for correct format.