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.”

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.

Now Let’s Review MLA Format One More Time Just To Be Sure… On to the next slideshow!!!