Slide 1:
How to Write a Research Paper
This guide will walk you through the process of writing a research paper from start to finish. By following these steps, you’ll be able to craft a well-written paper that effectively communicates your ideas and arguments. Let’s get started!
Slide 2:
Choose a Topic
The first step is choosing a topic. Your topic should be:
Interesting to you. You’ll work on this paper for a long time, so pick something you enjoy learning about.
Narrow enough to adequately cover within the required word/page count. Broad topics are too hard to research thoroughly.
Novel. Pick something original that hasn’t already been researched extensively.
BrainstormPotential ideas and refine your topic with your instructor if needed. Some topic selection strategies include:
Review course syllabus/readings for inspiration
Look at trending issues in your field of study
Read newspapers/journals for current events worth analyzing
Slide 3:
Conduct Preliminary Research
Once you have a topic, start researching it broadly to gain familiarity:
Use online databases and library resources to find scholarly books and journal articles.
Search Google to find reputable sources like .gov, .edu websites.
Scan reference sections of sources for related works.
Take detailed notes as you go. Record page numbers, quotes, paraphrases and bibliographic information. This forms the foundation of your research. At this stage, don’t get stuck on one source – cast a wide net.
Slide 4:
Develop a Thesis Statement
Your thesis is the central argument of your paper stated in one sentence. It should:
Convey the topic and focus of your paper
Be debatable (not just a statement of fact)
Guide what information and sources to include in your paper
Be specific – avoid vague issues/general statements
Be compelling and engage the reader
Developing your thesis is iterative. Refine it as you learn more during research. Run ideas by your instructor if needed.
Slide 5:
Create an Outline
Outlining brings logical structure to your research and thoughts. It ensures a cohesive paper with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Your outline should:
List major sections and subsections with page numbers
Include paragraph topics that support your thesis
Identify sources that will fill out each subsection
Note direct quotes or paraphrases planned for each section
Revise your outline as needed during the research process. It keeps your paper focused and coherent.
Slide 6:
Further Research Sources
With your thesis and outline set, it’s time to conduct focused research:
Dig deeper into sources already identified in your preliminary research
Search library databases using more specific keywords
Consult bibliographies, footnotes and reference sections
Identify and hunt down elusive sources your outline requires
Carefully record full citations and relevant quotes/ideas so they’re easy to find later. Storing sources in a citation manager prevents plagiarism and saves work.
Slide 7:
Take Effective Notes
Notes are the building blocks of your paper. Develop a consistent note-taking system:
Use notecards or digital files for quotes and paraphrases
Note page numbers to easily find sources later
Record full citations for each source
Label notes according to your outline sections
Summarize larger blocks of information
Quality notetaking avoids tedious copying later and ensures you capture a source’s essence without direct plagiarism. Review notes regularly.
Slide 8:
Write Your Draft
Begin writing your first draft section by section based on your outline. Pay attention to the overall logical flow between sections.
Revise as needed to better support your thesis
Introduce sources with signal phrases like “According to X”
Paraphrase at length before directly quoting
Weave sources together through summary and comparison
Don’t stress perfection yet. Get key ideas down before refinement. Schedule review once the full draft is written.
Slide 9:
Polish and Revise
Revisions are crucial before submission. Review and improve:
Thesis statement – strengthen and focus claims
Coherence – follow logical, cohesive progression between ideas
Transitions – add words to guide the reader between points
Sources – ensure citations integrate smoothly with text
Writing style – vary sentences, eliminate redundancies
When complete, ask your instructor or Writing Center staff to double check your work meets stated requirements.
Slide 10:
Include Title Page and Bibliography
Research isn’t done without title page and bibliography:
Title page includes paper title, class, instructor, date
Bibliography lists all sources properly cited in alphabetical order
Ensure full citations are consistently formatted (MLA, APA, etc.)
Double check page numbers correspond to citations in text. Sources must support claims made in the paper. Proofread meticulously before submitting final copy.
Slide 11:
Conclusion
Writing a research paper takes time and effort but utilizing this process will result in a high-quality end product:
Choose a topic you’re passionate about
Conduct thorough research with careful note taking
Develop a clear argument and outline before drafting
Cite sources properly avoiding plagiarism
Revise for coherence, flow and improving argument
Include all formatting details correctly
Following these steps systematically will demonstrate your understanding and help advance knowledge in your field of study. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Andrew Stroud