Academic Writing:
Research Papers

This handout lists some of the stages involved in writing a library-based research paper. Although this list suggests that there is a simple, linear process to writing such a paper, the actual process of writing a research paper is often a messy and recursive one, so please use this outline as a flexible guide.

Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself Writing the Introduction Writing the Body Writing the Conclusion Revising the Final Draft

Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic

• try to find a topic that truly interests you
• try writing your way to a topic
• talk with your course instructor and classmates about your topic
• pose your topic as a question to be answered or a problem to be solved

Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources

You will need to look at the following types of sources:

• card catalog, periodical indexes, bibliographies, suggestions from your instructor
• primary vs. secondary sources
• journals, books, other documents

Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information

The following systems will help keep you organized:

• a system for noting sources on bibliography cards
• a system for organizing material according to its relative importance
• a system for taking notes

Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself

Consider the following questions:

• What is the topic?
• Why is it significant?
• What background material is relevant?
• What is my thesis or purpose statement?
• What organizational plan will best support my purpose?

Writing the Introduction

In the introduction you will need to do the following things:

• present relevant background or contextual material
• define terms or concepts when necessary
• explain the focus of the paper and your specific purpose
• reveal your plan of organization

Writing the Body

• use your outline and prospectus as flexible guides
• build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don't let your sources organize your paper)
• integrate your sources into your discussion
• summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely reporting it
• move up and down the "ladder of abstraction" from generalization to varying levels of detail back to generalization

Writing the Conclusion

• if the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader
• if prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to add your points up, to explain their significance
• move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction
• perhaps suggest what about this topic needs further research

Revising the Final Draft

• check overall organization: logical flow of introduction, coherence and depth of discussion in body, effectiveness of conclusion
• paragraph level concerns: topic sentences, sequence of ideas within paragraphs, use of details to support generalizations, summary sentences where necessary, use of transitions within and between paragraphs
• sentence level concerns: sentence structure, word choices, punctuation, spelling
• documentation: consistent use of one system, citation of all material not considered common knowledge, appropriate use of endnotes or footnotes, accuracy of list of works cited