Writing Your Research Paper

Writing Your Research Paper

Graphic Organizerof the Paper

Introduction 1.Thesis statement The number of body paragraphs is dependent on your collected information and analysis. Each paragraph should have a power 2 (main idea) and a number of power 3’s (supporting details and explanation). Body 1.Restatement Conclusion

Purpose of an Introduction • Catch the reader’s • attention • Introduce the subject • Lead up to the body • Sometimes give • background info Establish the thesis Please note: Most introductions in a research paper are one or two paragraphs long.

Your introduction sets the tone for the paper. It tells the reader your attitude or how you feel about the subject. Carefully consider which introduction to use and how you develop it in order to establish your thesis. Never include such phrases as “in this research paper I will try to prove…” or “My thesis is…” Important Tips on Introductions

Inverted pyramid or funnel (broad to narrow) Short anecdote Quotation/Proverb Comparison/Contrast Relevance Types of Introductions

Begin your introduction with general, broad statements, adding more and more specific information, then work down to the thesis, which is the last statement of the introduction. Inverted Pyramid or Funnel

Tourette Syndrome, a disorder affecting some 20,000 people in the U.S., was first diagnosed in 1885. It still remains, however, a mystery to most of the general population and is often misdiagnosed by those in the medical field. It is a debilitating illness causing involuntary movements and sounds that are often repulsive to those who do not understand what is happening. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, TS also has no known cure, affecting boys four times more than girls (3). It is bad enough to have the disorder, which is obvious, but to face the repercussions from others is worse. Some with the disorder have been disowned by family members, fired from their jobs, or expelled from their schools because of lack of understanding and support. As the 21st century dawns, it would seem that a disorder affecting so many people would be accepted more, but the truth is that little is known about the disease except by those who are affected. Such little study has been made of TS by the medical field and by associated groups that few are aware of what it is and how to deal with it. They often treat the individual for symptoms of other diseases, which only aggravates the problem. Because of the frequent misdiagnosis of TS by physicians or psychologists and the lack of information by the general public, the person with TS too often has severe problems that also affect those associated with him or her. Example of Broad to Narrow

These are accounts of interesting incidents or events • Tells a little “showing not telling” story that relates to and leads up to the thesis Short Anecdote

The husky man pushes open the door of the bedroom and grins as he pulls out a .38 revolver. An elderly man wearing thin pajamas looks at him and whimpers. In a feeble effort at escape, the old man slides out of his bed and moves to the door of the room. The husky man, still grinning, blocks his way. With a face of a small, frightened animal, the old man looks up and whispers, “Oh God, please don’t hurt me.” The grinning man then fires four times. The television movie cuts now to a soap commercial, but the little boy who has been watching the set has begun to cry. Such scenes of direct violence on television must surely be harmful to children for a number of psychological reasons. Example of Anecdote

Quote an authority on your subject, explain why the quote relates and then lead up to your thesis A proverb doesn’t require referencing the author as it is a truism or familiar to most audiences. Quotation/proverb

The adage “water is life” is usually cited when someone is expounding on the benefits of water and its relation to physical health. The Lehniger text, Principles of Biochemistry, tells us the human body is comprised of 70% water and survival is thus dependent on it. But recent discoveries by noted Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto have provided surprising evidence that water may play a critical role in mental health as well. In his book, The Hidden Messages in Water, startling photographs depict the impact of negative and positive words on the crystalline structure of water at the molecular level. The implications of this for human kind may be significant; words then, may possibly affect someone at the cellular level. If this is shown to be so, the importance of positive inner dialogue looms large. Heretofore, positive self-talk has been steadily gaining awareness in the public arena and its role in fostering optimistic and intrinsic motivation is recognized and discussed in most self help books on the subject. More than ever, it seems, techniques to enhance positive inner dialog are being developed and taught to individuals struggling with motivation. The time seems right, too, to encourage the acquisition of positive self-talk during the formative years of childhood, up to and including old age. Example of proverb

Comparison/Contrast Shows how two or more similar or dissimilar ideas will be presented in the paper. Comparison • Shows the similarities of ideas, people, or objects Contrast • Shows the differences without the similarities

Syndrome is a word used describe an illness or disorder that is known because its symptoms are considered characteristic of a particular disease. There are many syndromes identified in the medical field, but two that affect the general public, perhaps more than others, are Tourette Syndrome, or TS, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS. Both of these syndromes are debilitating, and both are mysterious. That is where most of the similarities lie. However, the differences are manifold. For example, TS is known to be genetic, whereas according to the web page, “CFS” from Yahoo! Health, CFS has no known cause. Some believe it to be caused by a virus, or from a compromised immune system. TS has no cure; while some with CFS do return to normal within 5 years, others become dramatically worse (Schweitzer 1). The symptoms of TS are highly visible with vocal and motor ticks, while, according to Yahoo! Health, the symptoms of CFS are much like those common viral infections such as muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. In addition, treatment for TS consists of medication to calm the person. Currently, no treatment has proven effective with CFS, which has resulted in only treating the symptoms (“CFS” Yahoo! Health). TS and CFS do share many similarities and differences, as shown, but one of the most interesting points about the 2 disorders is that with TS there seems to be feelings of guilt or resentment or embarrassment. With CFS there is none of this, only sympathy and encouragement. Possibly the difference is the misunderstanding and misdiagnosis of TS by physicians and psychologists coupled with the lack of knowledge of TS by the general public that causes problems for the person with TS as well as those around him or her. Example of comparison/contrast

Why your audience should be concerned or care about your subject. Relevance

Ask any grade school child what it means to be smart, and they will probably tell you, it means getting good grades in school. In fact, if you ask anyone what it means to be intelligent, they will, more than likely, mention a high IQ rating or academic success. But should we accept this narrow definition of the highest sort of human capability? Or does our experience give us reasons to question it? Consider the numbers of people encountered in your own life, who, while not considered academically brilliant, perform brilliantly in some other field, say music or art. Are they not intelligent? Perhaps we should expand our definition of intelligence to include proficiency in areas other than academics. Example of Relevance

Ask two or three questions about your subject, then give some general information that leads up to your thesis. Questioning

Are history books wrong? Do English textbooks around the world contain false information? Are all readers of Shakespeare unwitting dupes of a four hundred year old conspiracy? There is a group of scholars who believe so. They are adherents of a two hundred year old school of doubt, that Shakespeare did not write the works attributed to him. Numerous publications have appeared arguing both sides of the controversy. There has even been a “Frontline” video documentary, aired on public television, that addresses this issue. But, after analyzing both sides of the argument, the most compelling view lies with the acceptance of Shakespeare as the true author. Example of a Questioning

Body of the paper should follow the outline. • Each main point (power 2’s from your Power Outline) should become the topic sentence of each body paragraph. • The remaining sentences should be organized to support the topic sentence. These are your supporting details (power 3’s) and further explanation. • Use transitions to enable your reader to follow your thinking easily (refer to the link concerning transitions found on SP website). • Vary your sentence structure – different beginnings and lengths. • Use formal language (no slang; 3rd person preferred) • Body paragraphs are generally 8 – 10 sentences to provide a solid support for the main point. Tips on Developing Body Paragraphs

Be sure to document all information, quotes, and ideas that are not your own. Do not document information that is regarded as common knowledge. It is better to paraphrase and cite information than over-quote material. Use quotes sparingly. Be sure quoted material is placed in a relevant and appropriate section of your paper. Tips for Incorporating Note Card Material

Using a quotation to finish a sentence you have begun: Dr. Laura Meyers, a specialist in language, theorizes that “the computer is giving [the children] control over their own meaning as they practiced with word processing” (224). Examples of Documented Information

Quoting only a few words/phrases within your sentence: The computer names, “in a low-pitched electronic voice,” the object pictured on the key the child has pressed (Meyers 45).

Paraphrasing or summarizing information from a source: The computer gives the name of an object pictured on the screen in low computerized voice (Meyers 45).

Should give the paper a nice closure • Should not be abrupt • Should restate the thesis statement (without using exactly the same words) • Should make a point! • Possibly summarize main points (though this is considered elementary) OR Tips on Conclusions

Instead of summarizing, try one of the following: • Call for action • Give a warning of a present or impending disaster • Forecast the future • Discuss larger issues from the piece Consider using one of the following methods to do this: • “Show” an anecdote • Tell a personal narrative • Ask a rhetorical question or questions These are considered more sophisticated approaches to concluding your paper.

Writing your Title Write a title that relates to the topic and thesis statement without giving away your arguments. • DO NOT use all caps for the title (only where appropriate) • DO NOT use quotation marks or underline it, unless some portion of the title is part of a published work • DO NOT call your paper “My Research Paper.” Your title should simply provide a clue to the paper.

Enjoy the journey! Research is like sailing off the edge of the map into unknown territory.

Writing Your Research Paper