Tips for Writing A Good Research Paper

Writing a research paper is something that can seem overwhelming if you’re not prepared. I’ve written my fair share of research papers both in high school and college and I’ve learned several things you can do to make the process go more smoothly. If you’re not overly stressed out about the paper, chances are you’ll do a better job.

Tip #1:

If you are able to choose the topic of your research paper, pick something that you’re really interested in or passionate about. It is much easier to write about something that you find interesting or that is relevant to your life.

If you have to write about a specific topic, try to find something interesting within the topic that you’d like to learn more about. If you can’t seem to find anything interesting about it, try to think about what other people might be interested in reading. In either case, it’s always good to write for your audience.

Tip #2:

If you visit the library for your research, try to find the most recently published books on the topic of your paper. When searching online you can always find unbiased information at sites ending in .org, .gov and .edu. Other sites are a good source of information but they may be biased so you should always keep that in mind.

Tip #3:

Make sure you have a strong thesis statement. This is the question you are trying to answer in the paper. Some instructors will want to see your thesis statement before you start writing your paper. Your thesis statement should be simple and to the point.

Tip #4:

Take lots of notes. Small index cards are great for note taking. Write the author’s information, date and page number on the top of the card. On a separate index card, write down all the bibliography information in the proper form for your reference list or bibliography. This will make typing the references easier.

Tip #5:

Make an outline. This is very critical to the quality your paper. Your outline you start with your thesis statement in paragraph form. Make sure the statement matches the material you’ve gathered. After the thesis statement you should have an introduction. Expand on your thesis statement in a clear and concise way. This is not the place to include your opinion. Underneath the intro, have your first main heading. Write subheadings underneath that and list your main points in the paragraph. After you’ve completed all of your subheadings, you should have your conclusion. The conclusion should be a final synopsis of the paper and is a summary of the thesis statement you started with.

Tip #6:

Your rough draft should follow your outline closely. Don’t pad your paper with useless or irrelevant information. Your research paper should not include more than 10 – 15% of quotes. Check your facts for accuracy. Look at your sections and paragraphs to make sure they’re not too long or too skimpy. Rework them if necessary for the strongest paper possible.

Tip #7:

This is a very important part of writing. Check your grammar and spelling. I would even recommend having a friend or family member read your paper to check it as well. Grammar and spelling errors can really make or break your research paper. If you have a lot of errors, the paper becomes less credible to your audience.

Writing research papers doesn’t have to be a big ordeal. Give yourself plenty of time to do your research, create your outline and write up your paper. If possible, you should allow yourself one month to complete a 15-20 page paper. Try to make the assignment as enjoyable as possible. Don’t get overwhelmed, take one step at a time and breathe. Once you’re finished, congratulate yourself on a job well done.

First photo courtesy of Mr. T in DC on Flickr. Second photo courtesy of Brittney Marshall on Flickr.