1. How to Write a research paper
CGHS Language Arts

2. Step 1: Choosing your topic
1. Ask yourself important questions.
Most Important Step!
Is there enough research available on the topic?
Is the topic current?
Is the topic pertinent to the assigned task?

3. Step 1: Some Considerations
2. Pick a topic that you find interesting.
3. If you can’t find any relevant research, MODIFY YOUR TOPIC!
You must either change your topic or narrow the focus.
4. Keep it original
Your ideas about the topic should be unique, which means that your resources should differ from your classmates’.

4. Step 2: Researching 1. Begin your research: Forms include: Web pages
Journal articles
Books
Encyclopedias
Interviews
Blog posts

5. Step 2: Researching 2. Look for empirical research:
These are articles or books written by experts in their respective fields.
We can trust that this information has been fact-checked and peer reviewed.
Safe websites usually end in
.edu
.gov
.org

6. Step 2: Where to Look? 3. Primary v. Secondary Sources
4. Hard Copies: Books and Journals
Found in Media Center or Public Library
5. Use Academic Databases
Found on GCPS Online Research Library located at Student Portal

7. Step 3: Annotate 1. Once you’ve gathered all your research:
Print it out
Save to PDF
2. Re-read and annotate your articles
Use the annotation tool to identify any information that relates to your topic.
This includes identifying main ideas and supporting details that best relate to your topic.

8. Step 3: Organize Your Notes
Now that you have annotated your articles, place all of your highlighted phrases and ideas into categories based on topic.
**Topics assigned by grade level
Example:
Topic: Analyzing a famous work of literature
Create a list of notes on each sub-topic
1.) characters
2.) certain points in the plot
3.) symbols the author presents

9. Take a moment…
What questions do you have about the research process so far?
What experience might you already have with this process that the class can benefit from?
Why do you think research is important to our community? (academic and/or social)

10. If you don’t document your sources…
You’re likely to receive this reaction…
Which leads us to Step 4…

11. Step 4: Construct a preliminary bibliography / works cited page
As you go through your notes, mark down the author, page number you got the information from, title, and publishing information for each article.
This will come in handy when you craft your bibliography, source cards, and works cited page later in the process.

12. Step 4: Source cards

13. The best researchers look like this…

15. Step 5: Fact Cards

16. Step 6: Develop Your Thesis
The thesis statement is a 1-2 sentence statement in your introductory paragraph (last sentence) that states the main goal or argument of your paper.
Thesis should express the main idea of your paper
Your body paragraphs will relate back to your thesis
How to develop a thesis:
Create a focus question that you intend to prove in your paper. (What is this paper about?) Consolidate your ideas into a few main points.
The answer to your focus question, when constructed as a statement, will be your thesis statement.

17. Step6: Thesis Example
Focus Question: What impact does the teaching of multicultural literature in high school have on students?
Thesis: The teaching of multicultural literature to high school students results in a capacity for empathy for others.  (answer to focus question)

18. Step 7: Determine Your Main Ideas
Go through your research and annotations to determine what points are the most pivotal in your argument .
What ideas can you write whole paragraphs about?
Which ideas to you have plenty of firm facts and research to back with evidence?
Make sure that your main ideas are directly related to your thesis statement!

19. Step 7: Main Points
Justify main points to the left, and indent subsections and notes from your research below each.
Word to the Wise: Make sure to include in-text citations at the end of each point, so that you don’t have to constantly refer back to your research when writing your draft.

20. Step 8: Writing Your Paper
Introduction
Pertinent background information about the topic.
Thesis statement.
Body Paragraphs
Make sure all topic sentences support your thesis
Support every statement you make with evidence from the text
Avoid using many long, direct quotes
Paraphrase
Conclusion

21. Step 8: MLA Format Heading In-text citations Double spaced
12pt. Times New Roman font
Works Cited page

22. Creating the Final Draft
Edit your Rough Draft
Topic Sentences/Main Ideas support THESIS
Proofread for grammar errors
In text citations
Works Cited page