Research Paper Format for High School Students
Writing a research paper is an important skill for high school students to learn. It helps develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills that will serve students well in college and their careers. While each teacher may have their own specifications, there are standard elements that are commonly included in a research paper format for high school level work. This article will provide an overview of the main components of a high school research paper and how they should be structured.
Introduction
The introduction paragraph is where you’ll want to hook the reader in and provide an overview of the topic. It should begin with an engaging statement or fact that draws the reader in and makes them want to read more. Then, provide some background context on the topic and clearly state your research question or thesis. The thesis is the main argument or assertion being made that the rest of the paper will prove or support through research and evidence. Keep the introduction to 3-5 sentences for a high school paper.
Body Paragraphs
The body of the paper is where you will develop the thesis and present supporting evidence from your research. High school research papers typically require 3-5 body paragraphs to sufficiently cover the topic. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that relates directly back to proving or supporting the thesis. The remainder of each paragraph should contain at least 2-3 pieces of credible evidence such as facts, statistics, quotes, or examples. These evidence claims need citations to credible sources using a consistent citation style like MLA or APA. Analysis and explanation of how the evidence supports the thesis must also be included. Transitions between ideas and sentences are important for cohesion and readability.
Conclusion
The conclusion paragraph wraps up the overall paper and restates the thesis. Do not merely repeat what has already been said or introduce new information. Synthesize and summarize the main points and evidence presented in the body paragraphs to reinforce how the research proved the original argument. Consider ending with a final thought or comment on the significance of the topic. The conclusion should be 2-3 sentences maximum for a high school paper.
Title Page
Include your paper’s title, your name, the teacher’s name, class name and period, and the date centered at the top of the page. Be sure the title is creative yet accurately reflects the topic and not too broad or vague. Your name and other identification info should be on the top left with the page number on the top right. High school papers typically do not require an abstract.
Formatting
Consistently apply the same proper formatting throughout like double spacing, one inch margins all around, a readable 12 point font like Times New Roman. Use header/footer formatting for page numbers if required. Properly format any in-text or parenthetical citations as well as the works cited page according to your chosen citation style. Check with your teacher for any specific formatting preferences or restrictions. Generally, high school papers should be between 5-10 typewritten pages, excluding title page, works cited, charts, graphs, or images.
Credible Research
Gather research from a variety of credible academic sources appropriate for high school level work like textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books and websites. Most teachers want students to use at least 5 quality sources, with at least 2 being print resources. Wikipedia should generally be avoided. Briefly annotate your sources as you go if required. Carefully evaluate information for reliability, accuracy, and relevance to the topic. Synthesize your findings rather than simply listing facts from sources.
Editing & Proofreading
Leave adequate time for review and revision. Read your paper out loud to catch any errors in coherence or awkward phrasing. Have another person review for clarity, typos, grammar mistakes, correct citation usage and general readability. Make any necessary changes before final submission. Adhere to all instructions for formatting, length, due date, etc. to avoid losing points. Now you’re ready to turn in an organized, polished, well-researched high school research paper!