How To Write A Research Paper

How To Write A Research Paper Eighth Grade

Types of Research Papers • Argumentative research paper: takes a position on an issue and argues for one point of view. - The issue should be debatable with a logical counter argument. • Analytical research paper: offers a fresh look at an important issue and attempts to persuade your audience that your ideas have merit. - This is not simply a regurgitation of ideas from your research, but an offering of your own unique ideas based off of what you have learned through research.

Tone of Paper • It is important that the tone and focus of your paper reflect the audience who will be reading it. - your professor or other superior - academic peers - an audience who doesn’t know much about the subject • It will be important to include explanations and examples of more fundamental ideas and theories related to your research. • Don’t assume your reader knows anything.

Third Person vs. First Person Third Person • Creates distance and makes the paper seem more factual and professional • Most research papers are written in this POV First Person • Includes the author’s perspective so more personal tone • Limits to one point of view so can be narrow in scope HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT!

Parts of the Paper • Introductory Paragraph • Thesis Statement (end of introductory paragraph) • Body Paragraphs (at least 3) • Conclusion

Introductory Paragraph • Start by introducing topic and grabbing attention • Broad/general • Interesting fact or quote or short story • NEVER say “In this paper, I will…” or “This paper is about…” • Narrow down to what your paper is going to talk about • Some of the points you are going to address

Thesis Statement • Thesis Statement: one sentence that expresses the main idea or claim of the argument presented in the paper • Develop your thesis by asking what question that your essay will answer. • “How does cultural acceptance change the success of treatment for mental illness?” • Whatever your answer to the question is, that is your thesis statement. • Express the main idea of your paper without listing all of your reasons or outlining your entire paper

Body Paragraphs – Three Times • Topic Sentence for Main Point #1: States the main idea of the paragraph • Example #1: Supports topic sentence • Quote #1: Demonstrates the example/provides evidence • Explanation of quote #1: Explains the quote and connects it to the topic sentence (2-3 sentences) • Repeat steps 2-4 for Main Point #1 • Concluding Sentence: Restates/wraps up ideas

Body Paragraphs • Number of sentences will vary; make convincing argument • Properly integrated quotes • Intro clause followed by quote • Complete clause followed by a colon and a quote • Your body paragraphs should flow/transition into the next paragraph • hinting at the next paragraph in the previous paragraph’s concluding sentence OR • briefly mentioning the last paragraph in the next paragraph’s topic sentence • Whatever sounds best/feels most natural

Conclusion • Restate your thesis • Review important points/show how they fit together • Not random but connected to your thesis • End on a broad note; the meaning and why its important • Answer “So what?” • Ideas work together to make a new picture

Conclusion: Ways to Give Meaning • Challenging the reader • Redirect the information and apply it to his or her own life • Looking to the future • Emphasizes the importance of your paper • Helps the reader apply the new information • See things more globally • Posing questions • Helps the reader gain a new perspective on the topic, which they may not have had before reading the conclusion. • May bring your main ideas together to create a new meaning.

How to Write It • Start with your thesis • Write your body paragraphs • Do these in the order you plan to have them in your paper • Write your introduction • Write your conclusion

How To Write A Research Paper