Writing A Research Paper

First of all…….. Complete your research!!!! Make a decision about your stand on the

issue

Write a Thesis Statement A thesis statement is your claim about

the topic You will provide evidence (research) to

back up your thesis statement

Thesis statement (con’t) Your thesis statement should answer

your research question and show the direction that your paper is heading

What is the main idea of your paper in 25 or fewer words?

Examples of Thesis Statements

After the Thesis Statement Organize your notes into the order that

they will appear in your paper In easybib, you can write your thesis

statement and then drag and drop your notes in the order that you will write them.

Easybib will make an outline for you

Write your Introduction Begin with an anecdote or statistic that

will grab the reader’s attention (1-2 sentences)

Give enough background information that the reader/audience knows what is going on in your paper (1-3 sentences)

Write your thesis statement

Organizing your Paper Reference page 61 in your text book Follow the template for a Classical argument Introduction Presentation of evidence that promotes your

stance on the issue Present counter argument—summarize the

opposing views Respond to opposing views (either refute them or

concede) Conclusion—sum up arguments; leave strong last

impression; make a call to action

Proving Your Position

Topic Sentence First sentence of each body paragraph

should make a statement about the central point of your topic

Cite evidence Each note card needs to be a citation

within your paper

Citations Book—author’s last name and page

number (Welch 92) Data Base article—author’s last name

only (unless there are page numbers) (Welch)

Article without a listed author—first word or two in quotation marks (“Cool Article”)

How to write a sentence with citations

Direct Quotations Embed the quotes! Write your own sentence “then add the

author’s work” (Author’s last name 86).

Paraphrasing Paraphrase someone else’s work, then

add a citation (Author page number). Anything that is not your idea MUST be

cited. When in doubt, cite it.

Your Commentary Don’t be verbose for the sake of

“showing off” your vocabulary skills Make sure that your commentary is

centered in your research The majority of your paper should be

citations, not your own thoughts

Misc. Use transitions between ideas within

your paragraphs (I have a handout)

Works Cited On Easy Bib—download Works

Cited/Bibliography to Word Document Make sure citations have been used in your

paper Make sure citations are in alpha order Make sure there is NO HEADING at the top Make sure you have no URLs in any of the

citations Use italics for book titles, data base titles,

and Google Scholar

Works Cited, con’t. To set it up manually on word: Under Special—select “Hanging” Under spacing—select “Double” Choose “OK” Do NOT put extra spaces in the Works

Cited document

Works Cited, con’t Delete any sources that you did not use

in your paper When you are completely satisfied with

the perfection of your paper, copy it, then paste it into your research paper as the last page

It should not have a heading, only the title “Works Cited”

Insert page numbers You need to insert page numbers into

this paper. Choose the upper right corner of the paper.

Do NOT have a page number on the first page of the paper

You MAY choose to do a header with your last name and the page number, but it is not necessary

Final Papers Should……. Use 5 to 7 reputable sources Have the sources mixed throughout the

paper Have a strong introduction that is a mini

model for your entire paper Strong body paragraphs that prove your

position Sources cited correctly A strong, thoughtful conclusion that states

why your research/opinion is important