Writing a research paper requires citing sources to back up arguments and claims. Using endnotes or footnotes is a common citation method. Here are the basic steps to write a research paper using endnotes:
Choose a Topic and Research Sources
Start your research paper by determining a topic to cover. Research your topic by finding relevant books, journal articles, and other sources. As you find sources, keep track of key details like the author, title, publication information, and page numbers that will be needed for your citations.
Create an Outline
Develop an outline to structure your research paper before writing. This outline should include an introductory paragraph, 3-5 body paragraphs with topics or subtopics, and a conclusion paragraph. Within each part of the outline, note the sources and page numbers that provide evidence for any arguments or facts.
Start Writing the Paper
Now start writing the sections of your research paper in detail based on your outline. Include relevant facts, arguments, evidence, quotes, and data from your sources to support each point. Do not include in-text citations yet – save those for the endnotes section.
Record Endnote Information
As you include relevant source information in your writing, assign each quote or fact a number in superscript. Then record the full citation for that source next to the corresponding number in your endnote section at the end of the paper. The citations should include the author’s name, title of source, publication details, and page number(s) based on the style guidelines (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago).
Example endnote:
John Smith, Research Methods for College Students (New York: Academic Publishing, 2020), 45.
Format the Endnotes Section
Create a new page after the text titled “Endnotes.” Number each endnote citation consecutively in the order they appear in the text. Use the appropriate punctuation and formatting for the selected style. Leave a blank line between each citation.
Example formatted endnotes section:
Endnotes
John Smith, Research Methods for College Students (New York: Academic Publishing, 2020), 45.
Susan Johnson, How to Write a Winning Research Paper (Chicago: Writer’s Press, 2018), 23.
William Adams et al., “Methods in Social Research,” Journal of Research 36, no. 4 (Fall 2020): 12-15, https://doi.org/10.31235/res.v36n4.12-15.
Check Citations Against Sources
Re-examine sources to double check each endnote citation matches up correctly with the relevant quote or fact used in the text. Ensure all elements like author name, title, publication details and page numbers are accurate in both locations. Make any necessary corrections.
Proofread and Polish the Paper
Perform a final proofread of the complete research paper, including text and endnotes, to check for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation or citations. Polish the paper by refining wording, transitions, structure and formatting as needed. Ask a peer to also review the paper for any other needed revisions.
Write a Title Page and Bibliography
Create a title page for the research paper listing the paper title, your name, course and date. Then compile a bibliography on a separate page listing full citations for all sources used in the paper in alphabetical order by author’s last name. This completes your research paper with endnotes.