3/15/2015 Academic and Professional Writing: Writing a Research Paper

https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/PlanResearchPaper.html 1/2

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Home » Writer's Handbook: Writing a Research Paper

Writing a Research Paper

This page lists some of the stages involved in writing a

library-based research paper.Although this list suggests that there is a simple, linear process to writing sucha paper, the actual process of writing a research paper is often a messy andrecursive one, so please use this outline as a flexible guide.

1.  Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic2.  Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources3.  Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information4.  Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself5.  Writing the Introduction6.  Writing the Body7.  Writing the Conclusion8.  Revising the Final Draft

 

Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing aResearchable Topic

Try to find a topic that truly interests youTry writing your way to a topicTalk with your course instructor and classmates about your topicPose your topic as a question to be answered or a problem to be solved

Finding, Selecting, and Reading SourcesYou will need to look at the following types of sources:

library catalog, periodical indexes, bibliographies, suggestions from yourinstructorprimary vs. secondary sourcesjournals, books, other documents

Grouping, Sequencing, and DocumentingInformation

The following systems will help keep you organized:

a system for noting sources on bibliography cardsa system for organizing material according to its relative importancea system for taking notes

Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for YourselfConsider the following questions:

What is the topic?Why is it significant?What background material is relevant?What is my thesis or purpose statement?What organizational plan will best support my purpose?

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Writing the IntroductionIn the introduction you will need to do the following things:

THE WRITER'S HANDBOOKW R I T I N G A R E S E A R C H P A P E R

3/15/2015 Academic and Professional Writing: Writing a Research Paper

https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/PlanResearchPaper.html 2/2

present relevant background or contextual materialdefine terms or concepts when necessaryexplain the focus of the paper and your specific purposereveal your plan of organization

Writing the BodyUse your outline and prospectus as flexible guidesBuild your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don't let your sourcesorganize your paper)Integrate your sources into your discussionSummarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merelyreporting itMove up and down the "ladder of abstraction" from generalization to varyinglevels of detail back to generalization

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Writing the ConclusionIf the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarizethe argument for your reader.If prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of yourfindings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to addyour points up, to explain their significance.Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic tothe context provided by the introduction.Perhaps suggest what about this topic needs further research.

Revising the Final DraftCheck overall organization: logical flow of introduction, coherence and depthof discussion in body, effectiveness of conclusion.Paragraph level concerns: topic sentences, sequence of ideas withinparagraphs, use of details to support generalizations, summary sentences wherenecessary, use of transitions within and between paragraphs.Sentence level concerns: sentence structure, word choices, punctuation,spelling.Documentation: consistent use of one system, citation of all material notconsidered common knowledge, appropriate use of endnotes or footnotes,accuracy of list of works cited.

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Last updated: August 29, 2014

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