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amanda liu
HowdoIwritearesearchpaper.docxHow do I write a research paper? Writing Guide:
Now that you have had the chance to struggle with selecting a topic and then researching it, I would like to present you with a few ideas to guide you in fine-tuning your paper.
As you edit your papers, please consider the following points:
Introduction: Do you lead the reader into the narrow subject of your theme? Do you give some general background to help understand the context of your topic? Do you provide evidence of research already published on the topic? Do you tell the reader what you will do that goes beyond this research? Do you create expectation and anticipation for the reader as she/he reads on to discover the core of your subject?
Body of the paper: In this section you will have to determine a strategy which will allow you to logically argue your perspective and gradually convert the reader to your point of view. Think about three different aspects or points that you would like to raise in reference to your topic. Consider these three issues as three parts of your argument. Think of what is most simple and believable, and relay that position to the reader. (This could, in fact, be a summary of what is known and acceptable as general knowledge on your subject, but you should summarize it in your own words and place your own perspective on it. This will comprise the first point.
As the second point, consider an idea that deviates somewhat from the norm, that is, a concept or perspective that has been mentioned but not fully explored in any of the research that you have read. What considerations might be given to the second concept? How could it help the reader in understanding the the unique perspective that you bring to the subject? Why (and this is a hard one) do you think the published material did not take this second idea further? Was there a lack or archival material to support it? Did it seem too eccentric or obtuse a concept? Was it tangential to the issue at hand? Was it a progressive idea that someone had, but was not willing to take the risk researching and publishing it?
The third point should be centered on your own idea. Take ownership (and pride) in a certain opinion or gut feeling or conviction that you have about your subject. Tell the reader about it in a thoughtful way. Expose your bias and don’t fear judgement. Most importantly, give the reader a chance to understand how you came by this idea. Trace your voyage very carefully, but give us your professional distance from it as well.
Conclusion: Where have you taken us? Tell the reader. Are you convinced of where you now stand on the topic? Are you somewhat skeptical still, but think, intuitively, that you might be on the right track? What clues or missing pieces to the puzzle are you still looking for? How would you continue this research project?
