1. The Research Paper

2. The Research Paper
a carefully planned essay that has been investigated and analyzed by the writer.
Includes:
Title page
Outline
Actual essay
Bibliography
An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence.
The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

3. Step by Step Process: Beginning the Research Paper
Select a topic
Gather some general information
Limit your topic - (It should not be too broad or too narrow).
Create a working thesis statement (a statement of what you plan to research).
Prepare a bibliography . (A list of potential sources). You will list your sources on 3X5 index cards.

4. Take notes - as you read material listed in your bibliography, take notes on ideas and write down quotations relating to your thesis. Keep notes on 4X6 index cards.
Write your working outline – organize your notes to construct an outline (skeleton of your research paper).
Continue to research and revise your outline.

5. Choosing A Topic Strategies for Choosing A Topic/Subject Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Free-writing
Clustering
Reading
Questioning
& Answering
Am I truly interested in the subject?
Does it meet the requirements of the assignment?
Do I have access to enough information?
Is the subject limited enough?

6. Choose a widespread subject
Choose a widespread subject. Then, through brainstorming and question/answer generation narrow your subject down to a specific topic.
For example:
Dragons
Am I writing of one specific species of dragon, or of dragons in general?
What kind of dragon do I wish to write about? Chinese? Fire- breathers? Kites?
What activities, qualities, or myths of that particular dragon do I wish to explore?
War
Am I writing of one war or of war in general?
Which war do I wish to write about? WWI? WWII? The Gulf War? "War“ taken more metaphorically between the sexes, siblings, or members of different races?
Am I concentrating on the history of the war itself, or its causes or outcome?
What specific events or examples will illustrate my points?

7. How to Narrow your Topic
Example: I'm thinking of doing a paper on "education." This topic could develop in many different ways.
Hint: Ask Yourself Questions About Your Topic:
What do you know about it? What don't you know?
What aspects or sub-points of your topic interest you: historical, sociological, psychological, etc.?
What time period do you want to cover?
On what geographic region do you want to focus?
What kind of information do you need?
a brief summary or a lengthy explanation?
periodical articles, books, essays, encyclopedia articles?
statistics?

8. Sample Topic Narrowing Chart:
General Topic:
Education
Time span:
20th and 21st century
Place: US
Person or group:
Youth/High School
Event or Aspects:
Problems in the American education system