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Table of Contents Topic & Summary WHAT IS A RESEARCH PAPER? A research paper is not "about" a subject. A research paper should have a thesis -- a clear point of view. It is not simply a generalized discussion of an issue. The focus of the paper is not the views of others but your opinions and interpretations. A research paper is not a summary of everything you can find. Your goal is not to collect everything you can find out about a subject and summarize it. Although you should review as much material as possible, you should select sources that directly support your thesis. A research paper has a clear focus. The more narrow you make your subject, the easier your paper will be to write. A research paper is not a list of quotes. The focus of your paper is your point of view, your commentary. Direct quotations, facts and statistics may be woven throughout your paper, but they should support your position. Your commentary should do more than simply introduce or link quotations. A research paper does not support a pre-conceived point of view. Looking up facts that support what you already believe is not genuine research. You should examine evidence then form an opinion. A research paper comments on the quantity and quality of sources. It distinguishes between reliable and biased sources, between authoritative and questionable statistics, between fact and opinion. A research paper does not present the ideas of others without documentation. Research papers must use documentation methods to prevent you from plagiarizing sources. Do not borrow ideas, statistics or facts without noting their original source.
Use the links below for help with choosing a topic and writing a summary. What is a research paper? RESEARCHING IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES Identify and Develop Your Topic
| Return to Top | Detailed Outline Use the links below for help with writing an outline. Outlining Using Outlines ORGANIZING IDEAS Developing an Outline
| Return to Top | Annotated References How do you find references? What are academic / scholarly journals & books? How do you find scholarly / academic journal articles? How do you format your references USING THE APSA FORMAT? What are ANNOTATED references?
| Return to Top | Rough Draft WHAT MAKES A PAPER GOOD? A paper of just about any kind has to be based around a clear, simple thesis which (a) makes one simple point and (b) sums up your reasons for reaching that conclusion. The body of the paper is designed to use the evidence at your disposal to convince me you're right. In many cases (especially if you weren't terribly self-confident in writing a paper), your final paragraph will really be your thesis. If it is noticeably more profound, interesting, detailed, etc. than your first paragraph, cut and paste it at the top of you paper and edit your paper with that as your thesis. Work on the assumption that you need to leave yourself time to write at least two drafts. I usually write six or seven before I have things the way I want them. But then, I'm a little compulsive. Besides, I also write for much of my living. Each concrete point you raise in the body of the paper should be used to show the reader explicitly (a) how it helps support your thesis and (b) how it is connected to the other points you raise. There should be one idea per paragraph and one paragraph per idea. Write with an audience in mind: someone who is (a) smart, (b) likes you and (c) doesn't know much about the material. Only use phrases, words and expressions which you'd include in normal conversation (profanity aside, of course). In short, if you write the way you speak, you'll communicate the most effectively.
APSA formatting uses in-text citations (sometimes called embedded citations or parenthetical citations). If you are unfamiliar with that style, go to the section titled How do you format your references USING THE APSA FORMAT? and follow any of the links given for formatting your references. Each of those links also contains instructions on and examples of in-text citations. Use the links below for help with help with your rough draft. STRATEGIES FOR WRITING A FIRST DRAFT The Write Stuff: Writing as a Performing and Political Art Guide to Grammar and Writing GRAMMAR Creating Smooth Transitions Writing the Introduction and Conclusion Creating Strong Introductions Simple Answers Word Transitions Paragraphs & Paragraphing Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing
| Return to Top | Final Paper Use the links below for help with your final paper. | Return to Top | | 
