English 11
Jan. 2011
Steps in Writing the Research Paper
1. Decide upon a tentative subject. This should be something you are interested in; something
you have an opinion on that can be supported with facts. Basically, research papers are
persuasive.
In this case, you have tentatively chosen someone who has made some type of
contribution to American culture. You will be trying to prove to your readers that
this person has made a significant contribution to American history, literature,
economics, etc.
2. Go to the library for an overview of your subject. Read two or three encyclopedia articles for
background.
This means find out basic information about your subject. What was his/her life
like? What is he/she known for? In what area did he/she make his/her
contributions? How is he/she regarded in history?
3. Narrow your subject. Come up with a tentative thesis and a rough outline.
What will you be trying to prove about this person? For this paper, you will be
trying to show how this person has significantly contributed to contemporary
American culture. What types of things do you need to find more information on to
persuade your reader to agree with the thesis of your paper? This is like a road
map. It helps you stay on the road and get where you're going without detours. It
also saves hours of reading articles, books, etc. that won’t help.
4. Back to the library. Create a working bibliography. Basically you are making sure there are
enough sources for you to gather information and support from.
Use 3 x 5 index cards, one source per card. Follow proper MLA format so you
won’t have to do more work later. Remember to use a variety of sources--
magazines, interviews, organizations, books, newspapers, films, literature, etc.
5. Stay in the library. Begin reading your sources and taking notes that will support your thesis.
This is where the real work begins. This is the most important part since the
information you find forms the basis of your paper. The hardest thing about
this is making sure you don’t plagiarize ideas or words from your sources.
The best way to avoid this is to be sure you understand what you’re reading
and then put that information in your own words. If you use the ideas or
words of another person, put them in quotation marks to show they belong to
another. Use 3 x 5 index cards. Label each one with the page number and
the title and author of the source.
6. Revise your thesis as necessary. Sometimes you discover information in your research that
makes this imperative.
Take a while to read over your notes and be sure what you have written down
will agree with you and help support your ideas.
7. Back to the library. Do more research and note taking.
Be sure you have all the information that is asked for on the assignment sheet.
If not, go back and find it. Be thorough!
English 11
Jan. 2011
8. Now that you have lots of notes, make a detailed outline from them. This is where you will
discover any gaps in your knowledge and notes that must be filled in with more research and
more note taking.
Hopefully, you have been thorough and have all the information you need for
your paper. This detailed outline is long, since it includes all the notes you
have gathered. It’s time to organize them in a coherent, logical manner that
will convince your reader.
9. Use your outline to write your rough draft. Include documentation and a bibliography.
Your paper is organized just like any other essay, introduction, body with
transition and details, examples, explanation for support, and conclusion. Any
time you use information from your notes, provide the author and page number of
the place you found it (document it). This prevents plagiarism. Remember to
follow MLA guidelines for format.
10. Peer Response. In other words, get feedback and help with your rough draft by having others
read it and make suggestions for improvement.
Your big chance to get help. Remember to be honest, constructive, and most
especially, specific in your comments. Demand this from your group.
11. Carefully consider the suggestions you have and re-think, re-research, re-take notes, and
revise your research paper.
Very important step. Don’t just copy it over. Make the needed and suggested
changes. Be critical. What is necessary to convince the reader? What will
make the paper flow more smoothly? What is missing? What needs to be
removed? etc.
12. Write your final draft of your research paper. Be sure it is neatly typed following all MLA
Guidelines.
13. PROOFREAD your paper!!! Do this at least twice and carefully make necessary corrections.
14. Put all note cards, bibliography cards, outlines, rough drafts, etc. and the final copy into a 10 x
13 inch manila envelope and turn it into your teacher for evaluation.