Overview

A research paper presents factual information about a topic, documented from a variety of reliable sources.

Choose a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow in scope. Then figure out your central idea in order to explore appropriate, reliable source materials. Use books, magazines, newspapers, interviews, online information, CD-ROMs, and letters. While researching, keep summaries, paraphrases, or quotes on note cards, with one piece of information per card. On each card, record your information source. When you have finished gathering information, create an outline, following a chronological, causal, or general-to-specific order. Then turn your central idea into a focused thesis statement.

Starting with your thesis statement and using your outline and note cards, draft your paper. Include documentation of your sources. You can use parenthetical documentation in the body of your paper, with a separate alphabetized works-cited list at the end.

Revise your first draft, keeping in mind your audience and purpose. Make sure your ideas are logical and supported by your research. Then proofread by checking citations, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word use. Finally, rewrite your proofread draft into a completed paper.