Academic Research Paper Writing 梁 淑 芳 正修科技大學應用外語系

Outline 1. Writing from Research 2. Writing a Summary 3. Writing a Reaction Paper 4. What is APA style? 5. APA Referencing 6. Finding a Topic 7. Writing a Rough Outline 8. Beginning an Online Search 9. Gathering Sources in the Library 10. Ten Steps to Writing a Research Paper

What is research writing? At one time or another, we have all had to write knowledgeably on a topic. Because we are not usually experts in the subject matter of all topics, we usually have to educate ourselves using existing information before we can report credibly on the topic to someone else. Research writing is the process by which we gather information to answer a question or problem and, then, deliver that information to an audience who has an interest or a “need to know” about the topic. In research, we are trying to investigate ideas and illuminate new details about what we already know. However, research writing is not about writing everything you can on a topic without any focus. Research writing is more of a process by which you answer a question for yourself and then let other people know what you learned. Sometimes the research is used to support an argument and sometimes is it used to analyze a problem.

1. Writing from Research 1a Why Do Research? 1b Learning the Conventions of Academic Writing Writing 1c Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism 1d Understanding a Research Assignment 1e Establishing a Schedule

2. Writing a Summary A summary is condensed version of a larger reading. A summary is not a rewrite of the original piece and does not have to be long nor should it be long. To write a summary, use your own words to express briefly the main idea and relevant details of the piece you have read. Your purpose in writing the summary is to give the basic ideas of the original reading. What was it about and what did the author want to communicate? A summary is condensed version of a larger reading. A summary is not a rewrite of the original piece and does not have to be long nor should it be long. To write a summary, use your own words to express briefly the main idea and relevant details of the piece you have read. Your purpose in writing the summary is to give the basic ideas of the original reading. What was it about and what did the author want to communicate? summary While reading the original work, take note of what or who is the focus and ask the usual questions that reporters use: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Using these questions to examine what you are reading can help you to write the summary.

3. Writing a Reaction Paper -

4. What is APA style? The American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style is the most commonly used referencing style at the University of Waikato. The latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010) is now available in the Library. Corrections to the first printing can be found on the APA website: Corrections to the first printing (PDF) and Corrected sample paper (PDF). Changes to the 5th edition are highlighted with the word (NEW). › Library Home › Guides - › Library Home › Guides -

5. APA Referencing How to use the APA referencing style In text citation References list Key points How to reference / cite material Books, Journal articles (academic / scholarly) Magazines (popular / trade) Newspapers Informally published work (webpages / online communities) Audio visual Others (Conference papers, reports, legal citations, personal communications, etc.) Images / tables / figures

6. Finding a Topic From reading, interacting with your advisor during independent study, or work on a research assistantship, some possible projects will emerge. Make a list of open problems and possible projects that are of interest to you, and discuss them with potential advisors. Even after you have decided on your initial focus, it is important to continue a routine of reading new material and attending seminars. All of these sources can contribute to the development of your idea.

7. Writing a Rough Outline How to begin making an outline An excellent way to begin is just to free flow thoughts onto paper while brainstorming with your topic. Write down everything you think of, even if you will not use the information later. Once you have your thoughts down, it is time to start your rough outline. Select about three of your strongest points, and write them down. An excellent way to begin is just to free flow thoughts onto paper while brainstorming with your topic. Write down everything you think of, even if you will not use the information later. Once you have your thoughts down, it is time to start your rough outline. Select about three of your strongest points, and write them down. ›... › College Life › College AcademicsCollege LifeCollege Academics

8. Beginning an Online Search Evaluating Web sources Authorship Does the Web site or document have an author? You may need to do some clicking and scrolling to find the author’s name. If you have landed directly on an internal page of a site, for example, you may need to navigate to the home page or find an “about this site” link to learn the name of the author. Does the Web site or document have an author? You may need to do some clicking and scrolling to find the author’s name. If you have landed directly on an internal page of a site, for example, you may need to navigate to the home page or find an “about this site” link to learn the name of the author. If there is an author, can you tell whether he or she is knowledgeable and credible? When the author’s qualifications aren’t listed on the site itself, look for links to the author’s home page, which may provide evidence of his or her interests and expertise. If there is an author, can you tell whether he or she is knowledgeable and credible? When the author’s qualifications aren’t listed on the site itself, look for links to the author’s home page, which may provide evidence of his or her interests and expertise.Sponsorship Who, if anyone, sponsors the site? The sponsor of a site is often named and described on the home page. Who, if anyone, sponsors the site? The sponsor of a site is often named and described on the home page. What does the URL tell you? The domain name extension often indicates the type of group hosting the site: commercial (.com), educational (.edu), nonprofit (.org), governmental (.gov), military (.mil), or network (.net). URLs may also indicate a country of origin:.uk (United Kingdom) or.jp (Japan), for instance. What does the URL tell you? The domain name extension often indicates the type of group hosting the site: commercial (.com), educational (.edu), nonprofit (.org), governmental (.gov), military (.mil), or network (.net). URLs may also indicate a country of origin:.uk (United Kingdom) or.jp (Japan), for instance. Purpose and audience Why was the site created: To argue a position? To sell a product? To inform readers? Why was the site created: To argue a position? To sell a product? To inform readers? Who is the site’s intended audience? Who is the site’s intended audience?Currency How current is the site? Check for the date of publication or the latest update, often located at the bottom of the home page or at the beginning or end of an internal page. How current is the site? Check for the date of publication or the latest update, often located at the bottom of the home page or at the beginning or end of an internal page. How current are the site’s links? If many of the links no longer work, the site may be too dated for your purposes. How current are the site’s links? If many of the links no longer work, the site may be too dated for your purposes.

9.1 Gathering Sources in the Library Step 1: Gather your lists Suggested reading from reference books Suggested reading from reference books Bibliographies from useful library books Bibliographies from useful library books Citations from databases Citations from databases Works cited lists from useful articles Works cited lists from useful articles

9.2 Gathering Sources in the Library Step 2: Book or Article? Books have... Books have... Title in italics or underlined Title in italics or underlined ISBN Numbers ISBN Numbers Publication City Publication City Publication Year Publication Year Articles have... Articles have... Title in "quotes" Title in "quotes" Journal title in italics or underlined Journal title in italics or underlined ISSN Number ISSN Number Page numbers Page numbers

9.3 Gathering Sources in the Library Step 3: Search it! 1. For BOOKS, use the GIL Universal Catalog & do a 1. For BOOKS, use the GIL Universal Catalog & do a TITLE Search. TITLE Search. 2. For ARTICLES, use GSU's catalog & do a 2. For ARTICLES, use GSU's catalog & do a JOURNAL TITLE Search: JOURNAL TITLE Search: Step 4: Interlibrary Loan Click to log into the key word(s) and make a request. Click to log into the key word(s) and make a request.

10. Ten Steps to Writing a Research Paper 1. Select a Topic 2. Find Source 3. List Sources 4. Take Notes 5. Refine Tour Thesis and Outline 6. Write Your First Draft 7. Revise Your First Draft 8. Prepare Your Works Cited Page 9. Write Your Final Draft 10. Submit Required Materials

Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. -- Gene Fowler -- Gene Fowler