Writing A Research Paper

1. Writing A Research Paper

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

3. Write a Thesis Statement • A thesis statement is your claim about the topic • You will provide evidence (research) to back up your thesis statement

4. 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?

5. Examples of Thesis Statements

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Proving Your Position

10. Topic Sentence • First sentence of each body paragraph should make a statement about the central point of your topic

11. Cite evidence • Each note card needs to be a citation within your paper

12. 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”)

13. How to write a sentence with citations

14. Direct Quotations • Embed the quotes! • Write your own sentence “then add the author’s work” (Author’s last name 86).

15. 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.

16. 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

17. Misc. • Use transitions between ideas within your paragraphs (I have a handout)

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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”

21. 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

22. 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