Last steps in the research essay

From outline to final essay The outline The outline – keeps you focused – guides further research – guides paper-writing Planning & doing are not the same Planning & doing are not the same – going from ideas in the mind to words on the page is tough – a good outline doesn’t mean a good final paper

The first draft Fill-out/develop outline sections Fill-out/develop outline sections Write the entire paper Write the entire paper Note all sources & pages Note all sources & pages Style secondary Style secondary Set aside for a few days Set aside for a few days

The second draft Get in the reader’s shoes Get in the reader’s shoes Read over first draft Read over first draft – are there gaps in the argument? – are there unclear statements? Check all references Check all references Check style, grammar, spelling Check style, grammar, spelling Write another draft if necessary Write another draft if necessary Fix if necessary

Before you submit the essay One more read-through (at least) One more read-through (at least) Ask yourself: what type of errors do I usually make? Ask yourself: what type of errors do I usually make? Fix any remaining flaws Fix any remaining flaws

Checklists

Introduction Is the topic stated clearly? Is the topic stated clearly? Is my research question or my hypothesis or my thesis stated clearly? Is my research question or my hypothesis or my thesis stated clearly? Do I announce the structure of the paper? (Part one will argue…. Part will show…. Etc.) Do I announce the structure of the paper? (Part one will argue…. Part will show…. Etc.) Is it concise enough? (3/4 page max) Is it concise enough? (3/4 page max) Research question: the question you are asking. You don’t know the answer yet. The paper looks for it. Hypothesis: an affirmative statement that you admit could be false. You are testing it. It may prove true or false. Thesis: an affirmative statement that you will prove true.

Body Are sections logically organized? Are there transitions between sections? Are sections logically organized? Are there transitions between sections? Are paragraphs inside sections logically organized? Does each paragraph express one idea? Are paragraphs inside sections logically organized? Does each paragraph express one idea? Does the argument build up to the conclusion Does the argument build up to the conclusion

Conclusion Does it summarize the entire argument? Does it summarize the entire argument? Is it consistent with what was said in the introduction? Is it consistent with what was said in the introduction? Does it point to implications of findings? Or suggest further research? (Good but not necessary) Does it point to implications of findings? Or suggest further research? (Good but not necessary)

Technical aspects Are there at least 10 sources, properly referenced using APA? Are there at least 10 sources, properly referenced using APA? Are style, grammar & spelling adequate? Are style, grammar & spelling adequate? Do line-spacing and margins follow requirements? Do line-spacing and margins follow requirements? Is the cover page complete (paper title, course title, student name & number, etc.)? Is the cover page complete (paper title, course title, student name & number, etc.)? Is the paper stapled Is the paper stapled