The trouble that comes with a student, not knowing how to write a research paper is immeasurable. It is among the most important document a student writes in their academic career. It causes shivers and chills on most students as the contents in a research paper outline constitutes a more significant percentage of grades in all classes.
Writing a research paper is, therefore, a crucial partaking that requires utmost professionalism and excellence. Majority of the students have problems writing a research paper. Below are tips on how to write a research paper
Select a Topic
Before writing a research paper, you should first select a topic that would be most appropriate for you. If you wish to make your research paper writing an exciting affair, select a challenging topic in your area of interest. If your topic is broad, narrow it to an aspect that makes it approachable and manageable.
Write a Working Thesis Statement
A working thesis statement is essential before organizing your research. It acts as a guide that helps you to stay focused as you write your research. It also shows the type of paper you are writing. There are three types of research papers;
- Expository – a research paper to explain information.
- Analytical – a research paper to analyze certain information.
- Argumentative – a research paper arguing about the conclusion of the information.
A good research thesis statement gives your research a clear purpose. It should be narrow and debatable as it would be easy to support claims with evidence.
Research on Your Topic
At this stage, you collect information from both primary and secondary credible sources on your topic of research. You should take notes, evaluate your sources, and start documenting sources according to the specified citation style. It is crucial to cite all sources used in quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing to avoid plagiarism.
Make a Good Research Paper Outline
After your research, there is a myriad of ideas and information that have to be organized. A research paper outline is a roadmap that will help you navigate and present your research paper most appropriately and professionally. A typical research paper has the following common structure;
- a title page;
- an abstract;
- an introduction;
- a methodology section;
- findings or results;
- discussion;
- conclusion;
Write the First Draft
After the research on your subject, you have to write your first draft with a title, in-text citations, and a reference page. To make a good impression on your reader, the title is essential. After the title, follows the introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion
· How to Write a Title
Create a title that will include all the keywords, methods, and results which will inform the view of your readers on what they should expect. Your title should be concise. After the title, follows the introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion.
· How to Write an Introduction
There are many ways on how to start a research paper, but a single fact stands. Whichever way you prefer to use, your introduction should be an attention grabber. It may be a provocative question, statistics, an anecdote, or an unusual fact.
· How to Write Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. The arguments should be provided with relevant evidence to support it in the topic sentence. The key points should regulate the number of body paragraphs in your research paper. If you have trouble coming up with a body paragraph, reading a research paper example before embarking on your course would be appropriate.
· How to Write a Conclusion
The end is always the most comforting part of anything. While concluding your research paper, you can use your thesis statement, emphasizing the importance of your findings, or provide recommendations.
With your first draft, you need research paper help to polish your rough draft to a final presentable final paper – there are tons of services out there. Writing a research paper is essential; every student should aim at the perfection of the skill.