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Writing the Research Paper as a Path of Discovery

Writing the Research Paper as a Path of Discovery. An IPFW lecture by Worth Weller. The four easiest ways to get a “F” on a research paper. Know what you are going to prove or discover before you start Create a “data dump” Engage in a “binary” (either/or) argument

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Writing the Research Paper as a Path of Discovery

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  1. Writing the Research Paper as a Path of Discovery An IPFW lecture by Worth Weller

  2. The four easiest ways to get a “F” on a research paper • Know what you are going to prove or discover before you start • Create a “data dump” • Engage in a “binary” (either/or) argument • Reject everything you don’t agree with

  3. How to write an “A” Research Paper • Follow a path of discovery

  4. Step 1: Know your audience • A college research paper is written for an audience of informed, knowledgeable readers who are already somewhat familiar with your topic. • They are not interested in a book report • They want to know what you discover about this topic

  5. Step 2: Know yourself • If you can not find a way to make your topic meaningful and personal, don’t do it. • If it is not important to you, it is not important to anyone else either.

  6. Step 3: Know your library • Be familiar with the electronic card catalog • Use document delivery • Explore academic databases

  7. Step 4: Find a preliminary focus for your topic • What do you want to prove? • Argue? • Demonstrate? • Solve?

  8. Step 5: Begin reading • Use Ebscohost, JSTOR, CQ Researcher, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, and IUCAT • Highlight or use sticky tabs to mark arguments and quotable comments • Read “smartly” – first paragraphs, last paragraphs, first sentences, TOCs, indexes, introductions, forewords, etc. • Look for opposing arguments

  9. Step 6a: draft an introduction and thesis statement • The thesis statement “directs” your paper • Topic + argument + summary of your argument = thesis statement • Although the United States clearly is not ready for the legalization of marijuana for the same purposes that alcohol is legal, immediate steps should be taken to legalize medicinal marijuana because recent studies have conclusively shown that controlled marijuana use is the cheapest and quickest way to relieve the physical suffering of cancer and AIDS victims.

  10. Step 6b: Review your thesis statement • Give it the “so what” test • Be prepared to revise the thesis statement after the paper is written

  11. Step 7: Create an outline • Have a plan

  12. Step 8: Evaluate your sources • Are they too repetitive? • Have you found enough counter-arguments? • Do you have enough “examples” and “case studies”? • Are they “academic”?

  13. Step 9: Write a draft • Use a template

  14. Step 10: Complete the Works Cited • Template • How to Cite Web pages

  15. Step 11: Revise • Ask someone else to read the paper • Re-read it, asking yourself these questions: • Have I stuck to the thesis? • Do I present alternative points of view? • Is my organizational scheme clear? • Does my conclusion match my introduction?

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