Research Report -(Required in 2 Days)

1. Select a topic and write a tentative thesis statement

Choose a topic that interests you and write down what you want to know a bit more about that topic – the purpose of your research (the thesis statement)

2. Search the internet or library database for relevant information – keep CRAAP in mind

Takes notes on important information that you might include in your own paper – using paraphrasing, summarizing, or quoting skills for each idea you plan to use in your essay.

Do not forget to note down the publication information about the sources you have read in case you might/will cite the information. The information is needed for both your in-text citation and References.

3. Roughly prepare a References list (APA style)

In this program, you use APA style to format all the information/sources you have cited and alphabetize all the entries in References at the end of your paper. For formatting of each References entry, please refer to APA Documentation Guideline.

4. Make an outline based on sources and ideas you have got

The following is a recommended structure to outline your research paper:

Introduction

· Opening sentences: starting your research paper with general information concerning the topic you will focus on; using anecdote or shocking statistics/news/ historical events to start your paper in order to introduce the specific topic you will later focus on

· Introduction of the topic: specifying the topic you will work on (be advised that you use the correct and accurate term)

· Thesis statement: using specific and concise words and sentences to specify your purpose of writing this research paper - the thesis statement, which contains the central or controlling idea for the development of the whole research paper. This controlling idea decides how many body paragraphs might be included and what supporting details will be selected and properly categorized.

Literature Review

This part will first generally address how this topic (chosen by you) has been studied / researched in the academic field. Gradually you come to focus on 4-5 sources/article/studies you will cite in your paper – how they approach and talk about the topic you have interest in. The function of this part is to demonstrate that you have done a proper research and your argument is well informed; it can also lay down a background for your late citation of specific information in the source (such as direct quote, paraphrase, summary).

Body Paragraphs - Argument development

Normally you have 2-4 paragraphs dealing with different aspects of the research topic. Regarding how to develop different paragraphs, always remember what is suggested in Part 1 of Becoming an Active Reader – “Writing middle paragraphs” (7 points on p.12) and follow “Rhetorical Patterns and Paragraph Development” suggested on p.13

Body Paragraph1

Topic sentence:

1st key aspect or point of the topic you would like to talk about in this paragraph

Supporting details:

Facts, data, examples, comments/evaluations from other scholars

Body Paragraph2

Topic sentence:

2nd key aspect or point of the topic you would like to talk about in this paragraph

Supporting details:

Facts, data, examples, comments/evaluations from other scholars

Body Paragraph3

Topic sentence:

3rd key aspect or point of the topic you would like to talk about in that paragraph

Supporting details:

Facts, data, examples, comments/evaluations from other scholars

Conclusion

It functions as a summary of previously provided information. It signals the end of the paper. To achieve this purpose, you use transitional phrases such as “In summary” to begin your conclusion. In this conclusion, you may:

· re-state main or submain points in different phrases than in prior paragraphs.

· re-emphasize your thesis in different phrases than in the introduction paragraph.

· indicate future research or action as follow-ups to the point discussed in your paper.

5. Read more and start your Draft

Follow the above outline and put your ideas and supporting details into a well-structured draft of your research paper.

· Be aware that what kind of information will included in each section;

· When discussion or supporting details are needed, paraphrasing, summarizing, and direct quoting from the sources will be needed – it means you have to add the References part at the end of your draft now.

· If you hope to include some information supplementary or illuminative to the points in your paper, add Appendix after References (refer to the handout of Purdue Research Paper Sample).

Talk with the teacher concerning any confusion or uncertainty before finalizing your paper. Before the meeting, please get prepared with all the questions you would like to ask or all the points that you feel confused about – remember that the instructor enjoys your specific questions generated in the process of your writing the paper; t the earlier you can think carefully about your paper and raise corresponding questions, the better you will be prepared to write a better planned and well-thought paper.

6. Revise your rough draft

Critically read through your first draft to check out whether each section contains the right information

· whether logical flows exist;

· whether more and important information are missing;

· whether every main point has been sufficiently proved;

· whether transitional phrases have been properly used;

· whether thesis statement, and each topic sentence has been accurately and sufficiently stated;

· whether unity, coherence and cohesion have been achieved.

7. Finalize your research paper

· Read your paper for any content errors.

· Double check the facts and figures.

· Arrange and rearrange ideas to follow the logical order of argumentative/rhetorical strategies to achieve unity and coherence.

· Make sure every part is appropriately written and no big flaws or errors exist.

· All in-text citations and source references have been correctly written.

· And finally - write an abstract or an executive summary for your whole research paper.

8. Dual proofreading:

Read your own writing as many times as you can - remember you are always the most careful proofreader of your own writing. Correct all errors that you can spot and improve the overall quality of the paper to the best of your ability (you can download and use free Grammarly to check for grammar and spelling mistakes). Get someone else to read it over. Sometimes a second pair of eyes can see mistakes that you missed.