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GETTING STARTED

This guide provides tips on getting started with research papers, including understanding the assignment, formatting requirements, focus statements, researching, and writing strategies.

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GETTING STARTED

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  1. How to begin writing research papers. GETTING STARTED

  2. What is the assignment asking for? • Before you begin, first consult your instructor’s assignment description. • What type of paper are they looking for you to write? • How large in scope is the paper? • How long does the paper need to be? • How many sources are required?

  3. What format is required? • Typically, academic papers composed at GSU are in APA or MLA style. • Though similar, there some distinct differences in how these papers are formatted. • The writing center’s website has helpful resources for both APA, and MLA style papers. • Visit govst.edu/owl and click the documentation styles side tab for more tools.

  4. Focus statement • Perhaps the most important aspect of a paper is your focus/thesis statement. • What is your central focus, point, or purpose for writing this paper? • What is it that you hope to accomplish by writing this paper? • Your focus statement should encapsulate all your paper seeks to do in 1 or 2 sentences in your introduction.

  5. What makes a good focus statement? • Is this something that can be proved, or argued effectively? • Is there sufficient interest in the academic community to still write about it? • Put another way, is your topic still relevant? • Is their sufficient secondary research to support your claim?

  6. Researching your topic • After you have chosen a solid topic, and constructed a good focus statement, it is time to research! • Make sure your sources are credible and avoid using sources that are not peer reviewed such as Google search results, and Wikipedia. • Books and database journal articles are the best.

  7. Where to go for research • Governors State’s library has many resources for you beyond print books. • Research librarians are here to help! • http://libguides.govst.edu/index.php • A vast collection of academic journals are available through our databases • http://libguides.govst.edu/databases

  8. Research tips • Collect more sources than required so you more to choose from. • Read abstracts of articles to see if this piece will be relevant to your work before your read the entire piece. • Search a wide variety of databases and books, and keep an open mind about your topic, your focus statement, may change greatly based on the research your find.

  9. Writing Strategies • Give yourself plenty of time to complete your work. • Write a little bit every day, and set attainable goals so you don’t get overwhelmed. • Set aside specific time to focus in on your research, and your writing.

  10. Outlining • Another good method to keep you on track, and to brainstorm ideas is to form an outline. • Outlines do not need to be formal, it can be a simple concept map to help you form ideas on where you might go with your writing.

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