The Research Paper A Hands-On Approach

What is a Research Paper?? In their book, Writing the Research and Term Paper, Hauser and Gray explain, “A research assignment requires you to develop a subject in depth by drawing from outside resources and acknowledging theses sources properly.” You, as the author, will research a topic, then write an expository (to report, explain, or analyze the subject) research paper on it.

Your research paper is your factual presentation of other people's findings on a given subject. The purpose is two fold: (1) to provide others with an organized, thorough summary of information on your subject (2) to help you master the basic techniques of scholarship by doing a research paper you will learn where and how to locate information quickly; how to use your research resources; how to take fast, accurate notes; how to cite sources and make work cited pages so others can use your sources and, most importantly, how to organize your thoughts.

Questions every research writer should ask… What is the point of my research? Can I tell the reader anything new or different? Do I have a solution to a problem? What is my theory on the research subject?

4Rs of Research Recent Reliable Relevant Representative

Note Cards Note cards help you in your research process. They are used to write down key ideas from your sources. The notes on your note card will be brief, but give enough detail for you to write your paper with. Write down a direct quote, paraphrase or summary of notes from your source that you will potentially use in your research paper. The top of the note card should have all of the source’s information to assist you on your work cited page and for when you provide an in-paper citation.

Taking Notes from Source Material After determining you are going to use a source, first prepare a 3x5 source card (see examples); Read and highlight pertinent information; Prepare a note card by filling in the author’s last name (or 1 st word in title if there is no author)and page number in the top right corner of the 4x6 card; Write your note on the same 4x6 card; it should be a complete sentence; and, remember, one idea per card only!

3x5 Inch Bibliography Note Card List the author, title, etc. that would be needed to make the entry in the bibliography of your report.

3x5 Inch Information Note Card Put direct quotes in quotation marks On this card, put one piece of information; this information would be documented to the source. Put direct quotes in quotation marks; put all other information in your own words. The page number for this source goes in the bottom right corner.

3x5 Inch Information Note Card Example (Heading) (Source Number) Armadillo Dance and Mask4 Armadillo dance was done during corn planting season- to ensure good crops. Mask made from armadillo shell. This animal can burrow into the ground so it was closely identified with the earth. (Page Reference) pp

Then, go back and write one or two words on the top left line of the card to identify its contents at a glance! Continue to takes notes from that source (magazine article, webpage, etc.) until you are finished with relevant information; Next, move on to another source; Continue with the same process…source card first followed by as many note cards as you can take…

Types of Note Cards Summary (brief overview of material) Paraphrase (restating in own words and writing style) Direct quote (exact words of source in quotes; use sparingly!)

Things to remember about note taking: These note cards turn into you paper—do them right the first time and typing up your research will be a breeze! The source cards become your bibliography (or in MLA style, your Works Cited); do not leave any section blank when preparing them!

Major Issues List Now that you have determined your research topic, you now have to think about what aspects of the topic you plan to cover in your paper On a blank 3x5 card, write your research topic on the top line and the potential subdivisions of your paper below it Be as specific as you can The number of subdivisions you plan to cover depends upon the topic The order of the subdivisions is up to you and can change as you complete your note taking (and you have a better idea of what will be included)

Thesis Statement One statement that specifies the point of the research It expresses what you plan to do with your research topic It is the statement of the aim, the goal, and the main idea of your paper It controls and focuses the paper

It is closely related to the organizational pattern of your paper It can be developed by using sources expert sources of information It conforms to note card evidence and title It IS NOT a question It DOES NOT begin with “I am going to tell you…explain…”

Rough Draft You know what you’re researching (thesis statements), your plan for researching and writing your paper (outline, and have done the research (note cards). You are now ready to write your first draft. Sit down with your outline and note cards in front of you. As you begin to write the body of your paper, you will need to rely heavily on your note cards, which is why it is so important to get them done well in advance of actually writing, or drafting, your paper. Find the corresponding note cards to match the section you are writing. You are going to write an introduction, the body or main part of you paper, and a conclusion. As you work on your first draft, write rapidly and do not ponder over words at this point. Write a page quickly and then set it aside. Later, read and revise it. After the whole paper is written, let it "rest" for several days; then come back to it and edit it carefully. You may cross things out and write in something else. You may find new information that you could jot into the margin. Or you may just like to change the wording of something. Make sure your paper follows your outline.

Introduction the hook, the bridge sentence(s) and the thesis.There are three parts to the introduction: the hook, the bridge sentence(s) and the thesis. The hook draws the reader into your paper. It is broad and general in nature. Some suggestions for hooks are a significant quote, a historical fact or incident, a bold or startling quote, a historical fact or incident, a bold or a startling statistic, or an anecdote. The next step is to write some sentences to bridge your hook to your thesis statement. Oftentimes basic background information is helpful here. This serves to draw the reader from the hook to the thesis in a natural, logical way. Finally, you will end your introduction with your thesis statement. Remember, for longer papers, the introduction will be longer too.

The Body The key to keeping the body of your research paper on track is to work on the topic sentence, which begins each paragraph, and your outline will help you with this. This topic sentence must reflect your outline and develop your thesis. Each of the topic sentences needs to be thoroughly developed with research information, examples, facts, details and quotes. Remember, a Roman numeral on your outline doesn’t necessarily equate to one paragraph, especially for longer research papers.

The Conclusion The conclusion should pull together the argument of your paper. It restates the thesis, summarizes the major points, and leaves the reader with a satisfying close. The conclusion emphasizes the unity of your entire paper. Reuse key words to emphasize the main ideas from your paragraphs and thesis. Do not introduce anything new in your conclusion.

QUESTIONS????????? Choose a topic that interests you and that you can find a lot of information about…..if not, it this will be a difficult process!