A Guide for Beginners on Writing a Research Paper

A research paper is a type of academic writing that entails conducting thorough and independent research, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting an argument. Unlike academic essays, research papers are typically lengthier and more complex assignments that test your scholarly research and writing skills. Writing a research paper requires a firm grasp of the subject matter, engaging with multiple sources, and making a distinctive contribution to the scholarly conversation.


This comprehensive manual walks you through each stage of the writing process, beginning with comprehending your task and concluding with a thorough revision of your ultimate manuscript.

 

Table of Contents


Understand the Assignment

Comprehending the assigned tasks is crucial to complete a research paper effectively. To ensure that you have a clear understanding of the assignment, follow these steps:

  • Thoroughly read the task sheet and clarify any confusion with your professor.
  • Identify the assignment's objective, deadline, length requirements, formatting guidelines, and submission method.
  • Create a list of critical points, and cross off each item as you complete it while writing.

It is essential to consider your time frame and word limit realistically, allowing sufficient time for researching, writing, and editing the paper.

 

Choose a Research Topic

To select a research paper topic, several techniques can be employed. One approach is to brainstorm ideas with a peer or instructor or engage in free writing, where one writes continuously on a broad topic to uncover relevant and exciting areas for exploration. Another strategy is to draw inspiration from other research by examining previous papers' discussion or recommendations sections for potential avenues for further investigation.

After identifying a broad subject area, narrowing it down by selecting a topic that aligns with the assignment's requirements, is feasible to research, and the author's interests are essential. It is recommended to aim for a topic that is specific and original, such as:

A paper following a well-trodden path like the chronology of World War II may need to be more unique and focused.

Conversely, a topic that explores the experiences of Danish citizens living near the Lahore border during the 1965 War could be more specific and original enough for a research paper.

 

Conduct Preliminary Research

Conduct a preliminary investigation by exploring various sources, such as academic journals, books, and credible websites, to identify meaningful discussions about your topic. Search for potential issues that could serve as your paper's focus and consider conflicting perspectives in addition to your ideas.

  • As you examine your sources, be mindful of any overlooked information or contentious debates you may address in your paper. It is also helpful to consider if you have a unique perspective to bring to the topic or if recent advancements in the field could inform your research.
  • To guide your investigation, you may find it beneficial to formulate research questions that begin with phrases such as "I want to know how/what/why…."

 

Develop a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement acts as a crucial basis for your paper, presenting your primary argument and its objective. In the event that your paper commences with a research question, the thesis statement should furnish a substantiated response using evidence and reasoning.

It is imperative that the thesis statement is comprehensible, arguable, and logically valid. It should be brief yet convey the essence of your argument and be intrinsically linked to all aspects of your paper. The thesis statement ought to govern the writing process, with all paragraphs working to reinforce and substantiate the central claim which may undergo modifications during the research phase.

 

Create a Research Outline

Creating an outline for a research paper involves organizing the key topics, arguments, and evidence you intend to incorporate. This outline is then divided into sections with its heading, providing a clear idea of the paper's overall structure before you begin writing.

By creating an outline, you can streamline the writing process significantly, making it more efficient. Therefore, it is advisable to devote time to creating a structured outline.

 

Write Your First Draft

When writing your first draft, it is essential:

  • Remember that it will be challenging and can be refined later. Your primary focus should be maintaining progress and momentum by writing now and perfecting later.
  • Additionally, prioritize organizing your paragraphs and sentences logically and coherently, aiding in your second draft.
  • It is also crucial to express your ideas clearly so that you can recall your intended message during revisions.

It is optional to commence your draft with the introduction. Start where it feels most natural, with the most challenging or accessible sections. If you have created an outline, use it as a guide as you write.

Avoid deleting substantial portions of text. If you find something you have written does not align with your vision or purpose, transfer it to a separate document instead of erasing it altogether. It may prove valuable in the future.

 

Paragraph Structure

Research papers rely on paragraphs as the fundamental units of composition. The primary function of a paragraph is to convey a single assertion or concept that supports the overall thesis or objective of the paper. A well-constructed paragraph serves as a cohesive and concise presentation of information that helps to bolster the paper's argument. In the example provided below, each sentence within the paragraph is organized logically and coherently. The author can effectively communicate their point to the reader by using clear and concise language.

Sample of Paragraph Structure

The impact of George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language", published in 1946, has shaped our understanding of the relationship between politics and language. This influence is especially apparent in recent critical reviews referencing the essay. Mark Falcoff's 2009 article in The National Review Online, "The Perversion of Language; or, Orwell Revisited," provides a notable example. In this article, Falcoff closely examines several commonly used words such as "activist," "civil-rights leader," and "diversity," using a point-by-point analysis that mirrors Orwell's scrutiny of political language. Even after 63 years since its publication, Orwell's essay continues to be emulated by contemporary thinkers.

 

Citing Sources

At this stage, it is crucial to maintain a record of citations to prevent unintentional plagiarism. Keeping track of the source every time you utilize it and noting its origin is recommended.

To simplify the process, go to Google Scholar and search for the topic/ book name from where you will cite something. A list of topics/ books related to your search will be shown. Go to your related research article/ book, click "cite, " and copy the reference in whatever format you want.

 

Write "Introduction"

For a research paper introduction to be effective, it should address three fundamental questions: what, why, and how.

  • What? Specifically, the introduction must provide a clear and specific explanation of the paper's topic, including its background and any key terms or concepts used.
  • Why? The introduction should also explain why the research is important and worth reading, providing answers to questions such as what new insights or materials will be presented and what essential issues the paper addresses or answers.
  • How? Finally, the introduction should give the reader a preview of what to expect in the rest of the paper by outlining the key elements and presenting them logically and chronologically.

By the end of the introduction, the reader should understand the paper, why it matters, and how the author plans to support their arguments.

 

Write "Body of Text"

One of the primary challenges writers face is determining how to structure the information in their paper, which is why an outline can be highly beneficial. However, it is essential to remember that an outline is simply a tool and that writers can be flexible with how they present their arguments and information while writing.

Writers can use their thesis statement and topic sentences as a guide to staying focused. It is helpful to check the coherence and logical order of the topic sentences against each other and the thesis statement. Additionally, writers should ensure that each sentence is aligned with the topic sentence of its corresponding paragraph.

It is also essential to be mindful of paragraphs covering similar topics. If this is the case, it is crucial to approach the subject matter in different ways to avoid repetition. To enhance the overall coherence of a paper, it is essential to aim for smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections. Cohesion and coherence are key elements in effective writing, and they help readers to understand the relationships between ideas and information presented in a paper.

Smooth transitions between sentences are crucial to maintain the flow of ideas and make the paper easier to read. The use of transitional words and phrases can help link sentences and paragraphs together. These transition words and phrases include 'in addition,' 'furthermore,' 'moreover,' 'however,' 'nevertheless,' 'on the other hand,' and many others.

Paragraphs should also be organized in a logical and coherent manner. Each paragraph should present a single idea or topic that is clearly related to the thesis statement or research question. The use of topic sentences can help readers to understand the purpose of each paragraph and its relationship to the overall theme of the paper.

 

Write "Conclusion"

The purpose of a conclusion in a research paper is to provide closure to the reader by summarizing the argument presented in the paper and reinforcing the thesis statement. It is important to emphasize how all the evidence and analysis presented in the paper support the main argument.

In addition, to summarize the argument, a conclusion can also be discussed on the broader implications of the research, such as its relevance to future research or its impact on the field. It can also speak to any remaining questions that the argument may evoke but does not endeavor to address.

Overall, the conclusion of a research paper should leave the reader with a sense of finality and understanding of how the paper contributes to the larger conversation on the topic.

Keep your conclusion concise and avoid the following:

  • Introducing new arguments or including extraneous information in your conclusion.
  • Using clichéd phrases such as "In conclusion" that suggest the paper is ending.

 

Write Your Second Draft

Regarding the second draft, there are four key considerations to remember.

  • Firstly, it is essential to ensure that your paper still addresses the assignment and that your original vision for the paper is aligned with what you have written in the first draft.
  • Secondly, you should examine any assumptions you have made and determine whether they require further justification while keeping your reader's perspective in mind. If you cannot substantiate these assumptions, consider removing them.
  • Thirdly, remain receptive to reordering your ideas as required. Evaluate if any sections require relocation and if your ideas can be presented more effectively.
  • Lastly, if you find that previous ideas no longer fit cohesively, consider condensing or removing them. Additionally, if new ideas that fit well with your paper have occurred to you during the writing process, now is the time to integrate them into the second draft.

 

How to Revise?

During the revision and proofreading process, the goal is to confirm completion of all necessary tasks and optimize the paper's expression.

Overall Considerations

  • Confirm that all the requirements specified in the assignment sheet are fulfilled in the paper.
  • Verify that there is a coherent structure and progression of paragraphs.
  • Check for consistency between the paragraphs, introduction, and thesis statement. 

Fine Details

Go through each paragraph to verify that:

  • Each sentence adds to the support of the topic sentence.
  • No superfluous or irrelevant information is present. 
  • Any technical terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader are defined.

After that, consider sentence structure, grammar mistakes, and formatting. Verify that you have appropriately utilized transition words and phrases to demonstrate the relationships between your concepts. Scrutinize for typographical errors, eliminate superfluous words, and ensure consistency in leading formatting and spelling.

Lastly, ensure that your paper conforms to the citation style guidelines you are employing. This may necessitate the inclusion of an MLA heading or the creation of an APA title page.

 

Checklist for Research Paper

  • I have followed all the instructions stated in the assignment sheet.
  • The introduction of my paper is engaging and provides pertinent background information.
  • The introduction clearly presents the research problem or thesis statement.
  • The paper is logically structured, and paragraphs and section headings are appropriately used.
  • Each paragraph conveys a distinct idea expressed in a clear topic sentence that is relevant to the research problem or thesis statement.
  • Transitional phrases have been used suitably to link sections, paragraphs, and sentences.
  • The conclusion adequately addresses the research question or summarizes how the thesis has been supported.
  • The conclusion highlights the research's contribution to knowledge or understanding of the topic, without introducing new information.
  • All references to sources of information or ideas have been cited within the text.
  • The reference list at the end of the paper is consistently formatted according to a specific citation style.
  • I have thoroughly revised the paper and addressed any feedback provided by the professor or supervisor.
  • Formatting guidelines, such as page numbers, headers, and spacing, have been meticulously followed.

 

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How to Write a Research Paper

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Imran Nazeer

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