You won’t need to look at any other guide to learn all that you need to learn to craft a stellar research paper. We’ve compiled all the knowledge you need to take the next step and made it as easy to follow as it can be.
There are often times when you don’t have time to make a research paper. In this case, our advice would be to look up “write my research paper” and pick out the service you need. This can easily help you with the work in the strenuous moment. You’ll need to complete the next research paper and read the guide we wrote for you!
Overview: Defining What A Research Paper Is
Before we start writing, let’s clarify our knowledge of what a research paper is. Strictly speaking, a research paper is an academic paper. It serves the following purposes:
- Give an in-depth evaluation or interpretation of a topic.
- Analyze and prove its claims by using empirical evidence to back up its arguments.
- Use statistics and published research sources.
What your professor wants to see when you submit these types of papers are your research skills. What level is it? How thorough are you? How good are you at following instructions? And so on. Research papers are more logical and objective than other academic papers.
Research Paper Writing Guide
Familiarize Yourself With The Task At Hand
Be cautious; listen or read the instructions given for the task carefully. Ask questions if you find yourself confused. Don’t hesitate to do this. Your professors are meant to help you gain more clarity if you’re in doubt.
If there is anything unclear in the instructions, it’s essential to ask for clarification. This is how professionals do it! If your path leads you to a research paper writer, be sure that they will start by clarifying every detail. Without it, no good paper can even be started.
Brainstorm And Choose A Topic
Choosing a topic can be easy for some but perhaps a bit more overwhelming for others. Whatever the case, there are some pointers you’ll find helpful when choosing a topic to write about.
You should try to choose a topic that already has a lot of research done on it. This way, you won’t have problems finding resources for your paper. Don’t overcomplicate your life. Of course, you can also choose a topic that interests you without considering it, but be aware that it might be difficult to back it up if there’s not much to work with.
Try picking a topic that you can further discuss or analyze. A research paper isn’t only about summarizing what’s already out there. You also need to present your interpretation of it based on the evidence that you find.
Research, Take Notes, And Accumulate Knowledge
Do your research, skim and scan your resources. You won’t need to read everything, so try keywords to find the information you need. There usually is a search feature when viewing most scholarly articles online. This saves you time and maximizes your research time.
Use only peer-reviewed articles. And if you’re in doubt, here are a couple of great websites for those:
- JSTOR,
- Google Scholar,
- Google Books,
- Refseek,
- Your university’s library.
Take notes and try to keep them organized. Accumulate as much knowledge on the topic as you can. If you want to submit a stellar paper, you must have enough backup arguments, evidence, and so on. You’ll also need to develop your ideas on your notes, so ensure you collect adequate information.
Figure Out Your Thesis Statement
Some students choose a topic and then write a thesis statement. Some prefer to choose a topic, search for material on that topic, and then formulate their thesis. There’s no one way to do it. If you prefer the former or the latter, that is purely up to you. However, this part will need to be done by both parties at the end of the day.
When crafting a thesis statement, you need to make sure it has an impact and is clear. It needs to show where you stand. You should also take time to ask your professor about your thesis statement. They can help you refine it.
Make An Outline To Make Writing Easier
Of course, we always recommend our readers craft an outline before they start writing the first draft of their paper. While all students might need this, most students will find this step extremely helpful and pragmatic. You are visualizing the writing process, and with the outline always present, you won’t forget or overlook details.
Introduction
The introduction usually starts with a hook at the beginning. This is a sentence that catches the reader’s attention. Then should come background information on the topic at hand (connected to your thesis, of course). In the end, you basically mention where the stance on the topic is. Your thesis statement that clarifies the main argument comes last.
Body
The body part should include a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph. Citations, evidence, and analysis should follow this. Everything should connect back to your thesis statement or be relevant and not off-topic.
Conclusion
Your conclusion paragraph must start with a clear summary of all points you’ve made in the body paragraphs. Then you need to re-highlight the claims and issues stated in the paper and some potential and thoughtful solutions.
Cite Your Sources And Create A Bibliography
Of course, you need to cite all the sources you’ve used in your writing. This is the staple of an academic paper. You cannot expect your professor to believe your paper has any credibility if you can’t provide information on what research you’ve based it on.
Follow the specified citation styles to make a bibliography with all your sources. There are citation generators online for different citation styles. Just search it up with those keywords.
Edit Mercilessly And Proofread Your Paper
After completing the writing process, you’re going to edit your paper meticulously. Use editing tools like Grammarly to help you catch errors. After you’ve finished editing your paper, you can proofread it. A pro tip is to let someone else proofread it as well since they will look at your paper with a fresh eye.
You could ask a classmate, a family member, or a different professor (to the one who assigned you the task) to proofread your research paper.
Final Thoughts
We made sure to make our guide simple to digest and easy to follow for all our readers, so we hope it will be helpful to you. Stellar papers just need time and preparation.
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