WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER

STEP 1: RESEARCH

Research Research More Research Probably more

DO

Browse and graze as widely as possible Think about possible sub-topics and

connections as you are working Keep track of page numbers and

citation information as you work Read carefully and critically

DON’T

Try to narrow your topic too soon. Skip this step.

STEP 2 (OVERLAPS WITH STEP 1)

Start organizing your material as you go along.

STEP 3

continue organizing, and create an outline

DON’T fall into the “3-point” trap. BUT remember that paragraphs need

development.

STEP 4 (THIS CAN OVERLAP WITH STEP 3)

Start a “zero draft”

STEP 5

Create a thesis Write your introduction

STEP 6

Write “real” draft

STEP 7

Revise Revise Revise some more Consider doing a bit more research

See why you need more than a couple of days to write a research paper?

FINALLY

Submit finished copy to instructor Heave a big sigh of relief…