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Study Skills Handout: How to Write a Research Paper
Checklist -- Scheduling Your Research Paper

The handout below is just one of the many study skills handouts available through the Tutoring Center. If you are having trouble with study skills of any kind, or if you have questions about study skills that are not addressed here, stop in the Student Commons Building, Room 1300, at the Normal campus and talk to a tutor. He/she can provide additional handouts, help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses and help you formulate a plan to develop effective study strategies. To find out when tutors for various courses are available in Pontiac or Lincoln contact the receptionist in Pontiac (815-842-6777) or Lincoln (217-735-1731).

How to Write A Research Paper
A Guide for Tutors and Students

Heartland Community College Academic Support Center
Prepared by Carol Baker, Melissa Clark, Nancy Mazur and Ellen Vogel

Guidelines on How to Write a Research Paper are broken down into the following steps.

Timeline for Writing a Research Paper

The following table can help you stay organized when writing your research paper. This is intended to be used as a guideline.

For major research papers*
Steps 1 through 3
Step 1
Getting Started

Due
Date

 Step 2
Collecting Data		 Due
Date		 Step 3
Taking Notes		 Due
Date

Read assignment

Ask questions

 . Locate sources . Decide on audience, purpose, and writer’s role .
Browse, read and choose topic . Select sources with audience in mind . Make content notes on note cards .
Brainstorm . Evaluate sources considering audience . Avoid plagiarism: either quote, paraphrase or summarize .
Seek information . Create a working bibliography and make note cards (optional) . Develop preliminary thesis statement .
Generate ideas and develop research question . Prepare annotated bibliography with information for credibility of sources . Create informal outline .
Narrow or broaden topic and verify with instructor . . . . .
For major research papers*
Steps 4 through 6
Step 4
Drafting the Paper		 Due
Date 		Step 5
Revising		 Due Date Step 6
Preparing Final Draft		 Due
Date
Complete rough draft   Edit for focus, content, organization, and flow   Type in format as assigned  
Write introduction   Polish your paper   Proofread  
Write body   Revise your thesis if necessary   Prepare portfolio or binder  
Write conclusion   Prepare final outline if required   Turn paper in  
Create bibliography for works cited page          

*This schedule is an example only. Your instructor may assign the paper in a shorter or longer or shorter form.


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Tutor Program
Heartland Community College
Main Campus:1500 W. Raab Rd.
Normal, IL 61761

Main Campus Phone: (309) 268-8230
Lincoln Campus Phone: (217) 735-1731
Pontiac Campus Phone: (815) 842-6777
E-mail: lisa.cole@heartland.edu