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A research paper is your own thoughts based on your thorough analysis of what you previously knew and what you managed to research about your topic.
A good research paper should contain:
Argument - to explain both sides of the issue you are to discuss
Thesis - to define your focus
Introduction - to present the issue and arrive at your thesis statement
Paper body - to discuss the issue, defend your thesis, and provide arguments
Quotes - to support your argument
Conclusion - to summarize your findings
References - to show your analysis is not bare
Choose a Topic
Choose a Topic
Find Books, Articles, and Other Resources
Find Books, Articles, and Other Resources
Once you know the topic you will be writing about, it is important to know and understand the type of essay you are expected to write. Most likely, it is an expository essay or an argumentative essay. The essay type will determine how you approach the research process (which information to use, how to outline and write your paper).
Cite Your Sources
Cite Your Sources
Try this notecard template on Google Slides to help make notes and keep track of your sources. Click here to make a copy for your Google Drive.
Create an Outline
Create an Outline
Not all teachers will require you to write or turn in an outline. However, creating at least a basic outline will make writing your paper easier and quicker. Click here for an informative web page about argumentative essay outlines, click here for a Google Doc template of an argumentative essay outline, and click here for a web page on basic outline information.
Write Your Paper
Write Your Paper
Steps:
1) Have your notes and outline easily accessible
2) Write your first draft
3) Revise/edit (have a teacher or other student look at it, read it out loud to check for flow)
4) Go over checklists/instructions and reread paper one last time before turning in
Create Your Bibliography
Create Your Bibliography
Make sure it is in alphabetical order
Check style guides for formatting
Take out any sources you ended up not using (keep ones that you took any information from even if you did not directly quote it)
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