Study
Skills Handout: How to Write a Research Paper
Step 1 -- Getting Started
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.
Step
1: Getting Started
Read
assignment and ask questions.
- Allow
plenty of time so you can work steadily toward your final draft.
(Schedule the steps of your research paper on the attached chart.)
- Break
your big tasks into smaller chunks.
- Know
the type of research paper that is required.
- Read
your assignment and understand it.
- Ask
your instructor questions.
Browse,
read, and choose a topic to research.
- Explore
topics within the subject area.
- Make
the topic relevant to the assignment.
- Choose
something that interests you.
Brainstorm.
- List
everything you know about the topic.
- Start
writing your thoughts -- just get them down.
Seek
information.
- Decide
on a broad subject area to research.
- Check
out a few resources pertaining to the subject or make copies.
- Look
for a variety of perspectives on the issue.
- Make
notes. (See handout: Taking Notes.)
Generate
ideas.
- Note:
Generating ideas is sometimes called invention and planning.
- Try
various strategies for exploring and generating ideas about a
topic. (See Course Guide or your textbook.)
Narrow
or broaden your topic.
- Make
sure there is enough to say about your topic.
- Focus
on a specific aspect of your topic if necessary.
Develop
a research question. (See handout: Research Question.)
- The
question should guide your research and keep you on track.
- The
question should be of concern to you.
- The
question will help you formulate your thesis statement.
- Use
your research to answer your research question.
Verify
your topic and research question.
- See
your instructor for tips and guidance.
- Revise
as necessary.
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