Writing the Research Paper: A Curriculum Web

What is a Research Paper? Understanding the task at hand is an important part of the process. Understanding the task at hand is an important part of the process. The purpose of a research paper is for you to find information on a given topic, read it, analyze it and synthesize it with your own thoughts and ideas on the topic. Use what others have said or written to support your views. The purpose of a research paper is for you to find information on a given topic, read it, analyze it and synthesize it with your own thoughts and ideas on the topic. Use what others have said or written to support your views.

Writing the Research Paper: Selecting a Topic The first step in writing the research paper is to brainstorm topics or ideas, select one and begin to narrow your topic. The first step in writing the research paper is to brainstorm topics or ideas, select one and begin to narrow your topic. Researching topics which are too broad wastes time, and leads to disorganization and frustration! A topic which is too narrow may make finding enough information difficult. Click the computer to learn more! Researching topics which are too broad wastes time, and leads to disorganization and frustration! A topic which is too narrow may make finding enough information difficult. Click the computer to learn more!

Writing the Research Paper: Using Credible Sources Once you have selected your general subject and narrowed it to a specific topic it is time to start gathering information to support and defend your text. Once you have selected your general subject and narrowed it to a specific topic it is time to start gathering information to support and defend your text. Click on the books to learn how to determine the credibility of a source. Click on the books to learn how to determine the credibility of a source.

Writing the Research Paper: the Thesis Statement The thesis statement is perhaps the single most important written statement of the entire research paper; yes, it is that important!! A well-written thesis determines the direction of your writing and helps keep you focussed. The thesis statement is perhaps the single most important written statement of the entire research paper; yes, it is that important!! A well-written thesis determines the direction of your writing and helps keep you focussed. Click on the owl to learn more ! Click on the owl to learn more !

Writing the Research Paper: the Outline While an outline may not always be a required component of a research paper, it is always a helpful component when writing the research paper. While an outline may not always be a required component of a research paper, it is always a helpful component when writing the research paper. There are two different outline styles, the topic outline and the sentence outline, both of which are organized the same and act as a reader’s guide to the paper. There are two different outline styles, the topic outline and the sentence outline, both of which are organized the same and act as a reader’s guide to the paper. Click the Outline to learn more! Click the Outline to learn more!

Writing the Research Paper: Formatting MLA Style MLA Style documentation and formatting is just one of many. Your teacher will inform you which style should be used. MLA Style documentation and formatting is just one of many. Your teacher will inform you which style should be used. MLA has strict guidelines and requirements concerning: paper size, margins, spacing, indenting, headers, citing in text, and the Works Cited. MLA has strict guidelines and requirements concerning: paper size, margins, spacing, indenting, headers, citing in text, and the Works Cited. Click MLA to find all the specifics! Click MLA to find all the specifics!

Writing the Research Paper: Citations in Text To avoid the risk of plagiarism, all information used in the text of the paper that is not your own must be cited. To avoid the risk of plagiarism, all information used in the text of the paper that is not your own must be cited. Citations must be used for direct quotes and paraphrased information. Citations must be used for direct quotes and paraphrased information. Click the light bulb to see examples Click the light bulb to see examples MLA uses parenthetical citations which include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. MLA uses parenthetical citations which include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. With the increased use of the Internet correct citations are even more important. With the increased use of the Internet correct citations are even more important.

Writing the Research Paper: Works Cited All research papers, regardless of format, require the writer to provide a list of the sources used. MLA uses a Works Cited page at the end of the paper. All research papers, regardless of format, require the writer to provide a list of the sources used. MLA uses a Works Cited page at the end of the paper. A Works Cited page only lists those sources which were actually cited in the paper. A Works Cited page only lists those sources which were actually cited in the paper. Click this icon to complete your worksheet. Click this icon to complete your worksheet. Use either of the icons below for more examples and information. Use either of the icons below for more examples and information.

Writing the Research Paper Now that you have completed this curriculum web, take a few moments to review your worksheets and prepare for the final quiz. Good Luck and Happy Researching!! Now that you have completed this curriculum web, take a few moments to review your worksheets and prepare for the final quiz. Good Luck and Happy Researching!!