What are they, how to write them, and more! Research Essays What are they, how to write them, and more!

What is a research essay? A research paper is an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition (all of which we’ve done this semester!). A research paper is an opportunity for you to increase your knowledge in a field you are interested in. A research paper requires you to spend time investigating and evaluating sources with the intent to offer interpretations of the texts you plan on using, NOT repeating what someone else says. (This is similar to what you did with your literary analysis essays. You gather sources, come to a conclusion, use the quotes to support your conclusion).

How do I write a research paper? The purpose of a research paper is not to inform the reader about what others have to say about the topic, but to draw on what others have to say about your topic and engage the sources to provide a thoughtfully unique perspective. This can be done in two ways: The first type is argumentative—This type of research paper requires you to have a stance on the topic you researched and provide an essay where you persuade the audience as well as include a counter argument. Your topic, then, MUST be debatable OR controversial

Read the two thesis statements provided Read the two thesis statements provided. Of the two, which one is debatable/controversial? Why? Cigarette smoking poses medical dangers and may lead to cancer for both the smoker and those who experience secondhand smoke. Although it has been proven that cigarette smoking may lead to health problems in the smoker, the social acceptance of smoking in public places demonstrates that many still do not consider secondhand smoke as dangerous to one’s health as firsthand smoke.

The second type of research paper is analytical—This type often begins with you asking a question (one to research, duh) on which you have no stance. When writing this type of research essay, it is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation. For example, a student is interested in Beowulf. He/she has read the poem and wants to offer a fresh reading it. A question to research would be “How should one interpret the poem Beowulf?” His/her research may lead to the following conclusion: “Beowulf is a poem whose purpose it was to serve as an example of heterodoxy for tenth- and eleventh-century monastic communities.” Though this topic may be debatable, it is not the student’s intent to persuade anyone of his/her conclusion. Therefore, a thesis statement could be: “Though Beowulf is often read as a poem that recounts the heroism and supernatural exploits of the protagonist Beowulf, it may also be read as a poem that served as an exemplum of heterodoxy for tenth- and eleventh- century monastic communities found in the Danelaw.”

How do I Organize My Paper? Your paper can be organized one of two ways: Argumentative or Expository. Expository writing is to inform or teach the reader about a topic. Argumentative writing is to persuade someone to have the same belief as you. Starting with Expository: Introduction Paragraph Weakest body Paragraph Okay body paragraph Strongest body paragraph Conclusion Paragraph

Expository Writing Introduction Paragraph Hook: This is where you try to get your audience’s attention. You could use a related quote, a question, or a strong statement Background Information: This is where you give general information about your topic. You are the expert here. If I knew nothing about your topic, what are some things I would need to know before I read your paper? This is going to be what makes up most of your introduction. Thesis Statement: This is where you give a one sentence summary of your essay. Remember the formula!!!

Expository Writing Body Paragraphs: You want to order your paragraphs from your weakest point to your strongest point. This helps the flow of your paper. Topic Sentence: This is one sentence that states what the paragraph will discuss. Every topic sentence relates to your thesis statement. Everything in your paragraph must relate to your topic sentence. Quote: Include your evidence! Weave in or introduce each quote along with providing an in- text citation. Explanation: This is where you explain the relevance of your quotes. How do they support your topic sentence? Clincher: This is where you transition from this paragraph’s point to the next. If you have your conclusion next, all you have to do is provide a “wrap up” sentence of the paragraph.

Expository Writing Conclusion Paragraph: This is a recap of your whole paper. Never introduce new material in your conclusion. If it wasn’t in your essay, it shouldn’t be in your conclusion. Restated Thesis: Here, you paraphrase your thesis statement from the introduction. This reminds the reader of why you wrote your paper. Review: Here, You provide a summary of your body paragraphs. Paraphrase your best points. How would you explain your body paragraphs if someone said they still didn’t understand them? Final Thought: Since this is an expository paper, you simply put a final thought about your topic. DO NOT TRY TO PUSH SOMEONE TO DO ANYTHING! You could use a question, a related quote, or a statement to keep the readers’ interest.

Argumentative Writing Introduction Weakest body paragraph Counterargument Paragraph Okay body paragraph Strongest body paragraph Counterargument paragraph Conclusion

Argumentative Writing The introduction and body paragraphs are the same as expository writing. The only difference between the two is the counterargument paragraph and the last sentence in your conclusion paragraph. Your final thought in the conclusion paragraph should be some kind of push for action. What is it that you want your reader to do once you’ve convinced them of your stance? The counterargument paragraph is meant to show that you have regarded both sides of the argument you are making and how the other side is weaker compared to yours. This paragraph can go after your introduction paragraph if it is weak; meaning, you don’t think you can win your argument with just this paragraph. It can also go before the conclusion if it is strong; meaning, you think you can win your argument with just this paragraph.

Argumentative Writing Counterargument Topic sentence: You must write one sentence that states what this paragraph will discuss. This should state what the opposition might say against you. Always be sure to use transition words to help the reader understand how your ideas work together. Quote: Here, you provide a quote that weakens the point you brought up in the topic sentence. Explanation: Here, you explain how/why the other side’s point is weak, and how the quote demonstrates this. NEVER DEFEND THE OTHER SIDE’S POINT OF VIEW!!!! SHOW HOW THEIR BELIEF IS WEAK IN COMPARISON TO YOURS! Clincher: Either transition from this paragraph’s point to the next or wrap up the paragraph.

To review: How do I know if a source is reliable? Who is the author? –Reliable/credible sources are written by authors respected in their fields of study. Responsible/credible authors will cite their sources so you can check the accuracy of and support for what they’re written (this also lets you springboard to other sources for your own research!) How recent is the source?—The choice to seek recent sources depends on your topic. History may not need recent sources. Sources discussing technology/medicine need to be more current as they are ever-changing

BE CAREFUL WHEN EVALUATING INTERNET SOURCES!! NEVER use websites where an author cannot be determined, unless the site is associated with a reputable institution such as a respected university, a credible media outlet, government program or department, or well-known non- government organizations. Beware sites like Wikipedia, which are collaboratively developed by users. Because anyone can add or change content, the validity of information on such sites may not meet the standards for academic research.

Questions So Far?

Works Cited "Establishing Arguments." Purdue OWL. Web. 03 May 2016. “Research Papers.” Purdue OWL. Web. 03 May 2016.