How to Write a Research Paper

How to Write a Research PaperClassical StructureEnglish 1302Structure of a Classical ArgumentStructure (overall)Introduction and claim (thesis)Writers position (evidence from research)Summary of opposing views Response to opposing viewsConclusion/call to actionIt is OK to give the opposing viewpoint FIRST and then respond to it; after this, you would move into proving why your opinion is RIGHT

IntroductionAttention grabbera memorable scene or anecdoteExplanation of the issueGive enough background info to help audience understand the problemThesis statementYour introduction can be long if need beone to several paragraphs

Presentation of Writers positionMain body of essayPresents and supports each reason in turnThis is where you present your researchEach reason should be tied to a value or belief held by the audienceSummary of Opposing ViewsSummary of views differing from your ownMake sure the summary is fair and completeRespond to Opposing ViewsRefuteprove to be false or erroneous; to prove to be in errorShow weaknesses in the opposing argumentConcedeto acknowledge something to be true, just, or properYou can say that the oppositions argument contains some valid points

ConclusionBring essay to a closeSum up the argumentExplain the significance of your stance on the issuewhy is this important? What have you learned from this research? What are the implications if action is not taken?Call to actionOrganizing Your PaperHow to Write a Thesis StatementWhat is the answer to your research question?Ex. Should killer whales be kept in captivity?Why? What are the top reasons for the answer to your question?Deprives the whales of their role in natureCauses emotional problems that make them unpredictable and violentIts cruelSample Thesis StatementThe practice of keeping killer whales in captivity should be stopped because it deprives them of their role as top predator, it causes severe emotional problems that lead to violence, and it is simply a cruel practice.Skeleton OutlineTake a moment to make a quick outline for your paper.Thesis statement, then the three main points from your research will be your main topics in your paperIn our practice thesis statement, our main points will beDeprives the whales of their place in the ecosystemEmotional problems that lead to unpredictability and violenceIts a cruel practiceArranging your NotecardsIn easybib, write your thesis statement in the space provided.Then, drag and drop your notes in the order you will use them in your paperIf you are using actual notecards, then arrange them in the order you wish to use them and make a stackWriting Your PaperBegin writing your paperWrite an introduction and make your thesis statement the last sentence of your introductionTopic SentencesYou need to have a strong topic sentence to introduce your main pointsRefer to your thesis statement/outlineEx. One of the main reasons that the practice of keeping killer whales in captivity should be discontinued is that it deprives the whales of their place as top predator in the ecosystem.Proving Your PointsUse your notecards to prove the main points in your thesisCitations within Your Paper How to CiteAlways use authors last name and page number (if using a book)Ex. The climber recalls problems he encountered when attempting to climb Devils Thumb, including a ribbon of frozen meltwater had ended three-hundred feet up and was followed by a crumbly armor of frost feathers (Krakauer 143).Anything you paraphrase must also be cited. If you are not sure if you need to cite it, then cite it.You have to cite anytime you have a new topic or a different idea, even if it is by the same author. If this occurs, then just cite the page number, not the authors name.

Citing From Data BasesIf there are no page numbers, then just use the authors last name.(Krakauer)If there is no author, then use the first work in the title.Ex: if your title is Effects of Mercury in Fish, then you would use (Effects) as your citation

Block QuotesIf you have a direct quote in your paper that is longer than 4 typed lines, you must block quote it.You hit enter to begin the quote on a brand new line, and then you indent on that line 10 spaces. Hit the tab key two times to achieve this. Then you type to the end of the line, then hit tab two more times for each new line. At the end of the quote you put a period, then you cite the authors last name and page number in ( ) with no period at the end. Ex. This is the end of my blocked quote by an amazing author. (Krakauer 82)

ReminderEach notecard should be one citation in your paper.Ways to Introduce InformationIntroducing Standard ViewsUse these to introduce broad ideas about your topicConventional wisdom has it that ______________.Americans today tend to believe that ___________.Many people assume that _____________________.It is often said that ____________________.Introducing an Ongoing DebateIn discussions of ____________ (topic), one controversial issue has been ____________. On the one hand, _______________ argues ____________. On the other hand, ___________ contends _____________. Others even maintain ____________________. However, the most reasonable way to look at this is ___________________. Another ongoing debate templateWhen it comes to the topic of ______________, most people readily agree that ______________. Where this agreement usually ends, however, in on the question of _____________________. Whereas some are convinced that ______________________, others maintain that______________________. Capturing an authors opinion X acknowledges that _____________________.X agrees that __________________.X argues that __________________.X denies that __________________.Introducing QuotationsX states , ____________.X agrees when she writes, _______________.

Disagreeing, with ReasonsXs argument is weak due to the fact that he overlooks _____________________.X contradicts herself with ____________________.By focusing on __________________, X overlooks the deeper problem of ______________.Making concessions while still standing your groundProponents of X are right to argue that _____________. But they exaggerate when they claim that __________.While it is true that __________________, it does not necessarily follow that _________________.