Research paper writing is an essential academic skill that students must develop in order to be successful in high school, college, and beyond. Writing a research paper can seem like a daunting task, but breaking it down into a series of steps and exercises makes it more manageable. Here are some key exercises students can do to improve their research paper writing skills.
Developing a Research Question
One of the first and most important steps in writing a research paper is developing a research question. Coming up with an intriguing question that can be reasonably answered given research constraints takes thought and refinement. Have students brainstorm potential topics they find interesting and are relevant to the course. Then, have them refine broad topics into specific questions that can be explored through research. For example, a broad topic like “climate change” could become the question “How has increased CO2 levels contributed to rising global temperatures over the past 50 years?” Coming up with a focused research question helps narrow the scope of the paper in a way that makes the writing process much more directed.
Annotated Bibliography
Having students compile an annotated bibliography is an excellent exercise to help them evaluate sources and learn how to properly cite references. An annotated bibliography involves compiling bibliographic citations for various sources on your topic AND writing a brief summary and evaluation for each source. Instruct them to find 5-10 credible sources to cite in proper style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) and compose a 100-150 word description for each that discusses the source’s relevance and quality. This exercise not only exposes them to potential research, but it helps analyze the sources before deciding which to include in the final paper.
Thesis Statement Development
After exploring background research, students should craft a clear, focused thesis statement. A strong thesis goes beyond just stating the topic – it makes an arguable claim about the topic that the rest of the paper will aim to prove. Have students write potential thesis statements and then refine and revise them with feedback. Some guidelines to provide: limit the thesis to one sentence, make the claim clear and specific, and be sure it can reasonably be argued or proven within the paper’s length/scope. Developing a solid thesis is key, as it will guide the entire structure and content of their paper.
Source Integration Outline
Once research is complete, the next step is to decide how sources will fit together to support the thesis. Drafting an outline that integrates sources is an outline exercise that helps make this organization clear. In the outline, students should have main points that directly relate back to proving or addressing the thesis. Require citations within the outline wherever a source will be discussed or summarized. Reviewing the outline allows students to see if they have enough sources for their points and whether any sources need to be replaced or further research is needed. It also ensures a cohesive flow and structure for their argument.
Rough Draft with In-Text Citations
With the research analyzed and outline completed, students can begin writing their rough draft. The draft should include all source citations within the paper using the prescribed citation style. Instruct students to cite whenever integrating a paraphrase, summary, or direct quote. Have them write the full draft including introductions and conclusions so they experience the full process. Providing peer feedback on other classmates’ drafts is also helpful, since reviewing others’ work helps strengthen one’s own skills. Areas of focus for draft feedback can include flow/organization; sufficiency of included research; strength of integrating sources into points, and proper citation format.
Revision and Editing
All strong academic papers require revision. Have students review instructor and peer feedback on their drafts and edit accordingly. Editing areas may include tightening thesis statements based on how developed the body turned out; reorganizing or combining points for better flow; adding/removing research as needed based on feedback; correcting any citing errors. The revision process is key for strengthening arguments and polishing writing. Students should also perform a self-edit to proofread for typos, grammar errors, proper citation consistency etc. before final submission. Learning to effectively revise is crucial for improving research writing skills.
These steps and exercises give students direct practice with key components involved in research paper writing. Taking a project through the full process, from question development to final draft, reinforces necessary skills. It also exposes students to the iterative nature of research writing. Framing assignments around these types of staged activities makes tackling a research paper less intimidating for students by breaking it into more manageable portions. With repeated practice of components like outlining, integrating sources, and revising, research writing becomes a more developed competency.