Writing a 20-page research paper may seem like an intimidating task, but with careful planning and organization, it is very achievable. A good 20-page paper will require choosing an interesting, compelling topic, conducting thorough research, and structuring your paper in a logical manner.
Choosing a Topic
The first important step is choosing a topic that has enough breadth and depth to fill 20 pages. Your topic should be narrow enough to be approached in 20 pages, but broad enough to allow exploration from multiple angles or perspectives. Some factors to consider when choosing a topic include:
Your own interest in and passion for the topic. You’ll be spending a lot of time researching and writing, so choose something you’re genuinely interested in learning more about.
The availability of scholarly sources. You’ll need plenty of credible sources like peer-reviewed journal articles and academic books to support your paper. Choose a topic that has been well-researched.
Timeliness and relevance. Choosing a topic that is currently being debated or is important can make for a more compelling read.
Appropriateness. Make sure your topic is suitable and meets any guidelines set by your instructor.
Once you’ve identified some potential topics based on these factors, do preliminary research to confirm there are enough credible sources available before committing to a specific topic. Run your top topic choices by your instructor for approval as well.
Creating an Outline
After choosing your topic, the next step is to create a detailed outline to map out the structure and flow of your paper. A well-planned outline is crucial for staying organized as you write. Components to include in your outline are:
Introduction (1 page): States the research question or thesis you will explore, provides context and overview of topic.
Body (15-16 pages): Broken into sections with 3-5 paragraphs each exploring different aspects of your topic that support your thesis. Each section should have a topic sentence and include citations.
Conclusion (1-2 pages): Summarizes main points, draws conclusions and implications, addresses significance or “so what?” factor.
Reference page: Must be in proper reference format like MLA or APA.
Having your outline broken down paragraph by paragraph with citations planned will serve as your writing blueprint. Leave space in your outline to take notes on research to easily insert into the appropriate sections while writing.
Conducting Research
Now start researching in earnest using your outline. Aim to gather 20-30 credible sources minimum for a 20-page paper. Consult books, scholarly journals, government reports, and academic databases. As you research, take thorough notes while also recording full bibliographic citations to each source for your reference page. These detailed notes will populate your outline as you transform it into a full paper draft.
Some tips for efficient research:
Use key terms from your topic to search online databases and library catalog.
Scan reference lists of relevant articles/books to find additional sources.
Organize sources with a citation management tool like Zotero to easily insert citations.
Keep track of source types (books vs articles) to achieve a good balance in your paper.
Periodically check in with your instructor if you have questions.
Crafting the Paper
Once research is complete, it’s time to begin drafting. Work directly from your detailed outline, fleshing out each section paragraph by paragraph using the research notes. Be sure to:
Integrate relevant evidence and quotes from sources to support points.
Properly cite sources in-text and include in reference list.
Use transition words to smoothly connect paragraphs and sections.
Maintain a consistent scholarly tone without personal pronouns or opinions.
Include a running header on each page with your last name and page number.
Double space, use 12pt Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins.
Leave time for multiple rounds of revision – to edit writing, improve flow, check citations, and get feedback from others. Proofread carefully for typos or formatting errors before final submission. Following this proven process will result in a polished 20-page research paper you can feel proud of. With dedication and time management, you’ve got this!