Basic Steps For Writing Research Papers The two best websites to help us: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ http://www.easybib.com/

Research papers are like puzzles that you have to put together, and the only puzzle pieces that you cannot change are the quotes/sources that you use. Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraphn You can keep adding body paragraphs, as long as they continue to support your thesis. Conclusion Paragraph

Step 1: Take your research questions and begin finding quotes/sources that answer them. Remember, once you find a quote/source you want to use, copy down the text that you may use and do a proper citation for it right away. Keep all that information in an email to yourself, so you can always access it. Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraph 1 Quote/Citation 1 Body Paragraph 2 Quote/Citation 2 Body Paragraphn You can keep adding body paragraphs, as long as they continue to support your thesis. Conclusion Paragraph

Step 2: Once you have your quotes/sources, build a thesis statement that ties them all together and will organize your entire essay. Introduction Paragraph Thesis Body Paragraph 1 Quote/Citation 1 Body Paragraph 2 Quote/Citation 2 Body Paragraphn You can keep adding body paragraphs, as long as they continue to support your thesis. Conclusion Paragraph

Step 3: Once you have your thesis, begin writing all of the other parts of your paragraphs. Introduction Paragraph Hook Brief Background Thesis Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence 1 Quote/Citation 1 Analysis of Quote/Citation 1 Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence 2 Quote/Citation 2 Analysis of Quote/Citation 2 Body Paragraphn You can keep adding body paragraphs, as long as they continue to support your thesis. Conclusion Paragraph Restate your thesis Summarize your argument End with a broad connection.

Introduction Paragraph Hook Brief Background Thesis Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence 1 Quote/Citation 1 Analysis of Quote/Citation 1 Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence 2 Quote/Citation 2 Analysis of Quote/Citation 2 Body Paragraphn You can keep adding body paragraphs, as long as they continue to support your thesis. Conclusion Paragraph Restate your thesis Summarize your argument End with a broad connection.

You can do this! However, realize that it is going to be a lot more work if you do not follow this process and/or wait for the last minute. REMEMBER: LAZY PEOPLE WORK TWICE AS HARD!

Basic Essay-Writing Considerations Body Paragraphs are just like the short-answer questions you wrote for STAAR. Answer the question = Topic Sentence Bring in the quote = Quote/Citation Connect with commentary = Your analysis of the quote/citation An overall essay is like the short-answer questions you wrote for STAAR Answer the question = Your Introduction Paragraph and Thesis Bring in the quote = Supporting your thesis through body paraphs Connect with commentary = Your conclusion paragraph GOOD WRITING IS GOOD WRITING Whatever is has been called in the past and regardless of how complicated school has tried to make it for you.

Basic Essay-Writing Considerations Cont’d An essay is an argument, and you communicate using this basic and intuitive form all of the time. Don’t let the fact that it is now called an “essay” get in your way. Introduction Paragraph Hook: Mom, you look so pretty today. Brief Background: I’ve been thinking a lot about how you want me to act more mature. Thesis: You should raise my curfew to midnight so that I really can become more mature. Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence 1: Raising my curfew to midnight would give me a chance to practice safe driving at night. Quote/Citiation 1: We all know that it is harder to drive at night and that we have to look out for crazy drivers the later it gets. Analysis of Quote/Citation 2: If I could get more practice now, you won’t have to worry about me driving at night when I go off to college. Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence 2: Also, I would get the chance to be the responsible one among my friends. Quote/Citation 2: You always say, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” Analysis of Quote/Citation 2: This would give me a chance to be home before anything too crazy happens, plus I’d b able to give any friends a safe ride home who might need one. Body Paragraphn You can keep adding body paragraphs, as long as they continue to support your thesis. Conclusion Paragraph Restate your thesis: See mom, that’s why you should raise my curfew to midnight – to make me more mature. Summarize your argument: Not only would it make me a better night-drive, it will also help me to be the responsible one when I’m with my friends. End with a broad connection: I know you only want what’s best for me, and this is definitely what’s best for me. Thanks, mom! I love you!