Cape Elizabeth High School Research Guidelines

The Research Process

Writing a research paper does not have to be stressful. Once you know the due date, use your calendar to devise a plan of action. By breaking your work into several smaller steps and budgeting time to accomplish each of them, you will be able to write a better paper more efficiently.

Generally, the steps in writing a research paper are:

• 1. Select a topic

  2. Find and evaluate sources

  3. Begin reading and taking notes

  4. Develop a working thesis

  5. Continue reading and taking notes

  6. Develop a working outline

  7. Prepare a first draft

  8. Edit

  9. Prepare a final draft

Sections:

Selecting a Topic

Finding and Using Sources

Taking Notes

Writing

The Research Process