The Research PaperA Hands-On Approach

Organizational Patterns in Research

•Chronological (time sequence)•Comparison/contrast

(similarities/differences)•Topical (smaller units comprising the

whole)•Problem-solution (problem addressed;

potential solutions analyzed)

Questions every research writer should ask…

•What is the point of my research?•Can I tell the reader anything new or

different?•Do I have a solution to a problem?•What is my theory on the research

subject?

4Rs of Research

•Recent•Reliable •Relevant•Representative

Taking Notes from Source Material•After determining you are going to use a

source, first prepare a 3x5 source card (see examples);

•Read and highlight pertinent information;•Prepare a notecard by filling in the

author’s last name (or 1st word in title if there is no author)and page number in the top right corner of the 4x6 card;

•Write your note on the same 4x6 card; it should be a complete sentence; and, remember, one idea per card only!

•Then, go back and write one or two words on the top left line of the card to identify its contents at a glance!

•Continue to takes notes from that source (magazine article, webpage, etc.) until you are finished with relevant information;

•Next, move on to another source;•Continue with the same process…source

card first followed by as many notecards as you can take…

Source Card for a Book (3x5)

•Author’s/Editor’s last name, first name•Title of book•Publisher•Date of publication•Place of publication

Source Card for a Periodical--magazine, scholarly journal, newspaper (3x5)

•Author’s last name, first name•“Title of article”•Title of periodical•Volume (if given)•Date•Exact pages

Source Card for a Website (3x5)•Author’s last name, first name (if given)•“Title of Document”•Organization/affiliation (if given)•Date of last update•Complete URL (web address)•Date of visit

Notecard Format (4x6)

Slug (1 or 2 words) Author’s Last Pg. #

Complete Note in Sentence Form(1 idea per card to make it easier for you to

organize into paragraphs for your paper)

Types of Notecards

•Summary (brief overview of material)•Paraphrase (restati ng in own words and

writing style)•Direct quote (exact words of source in

quotes; use sparingly!)

Things to remember about notetaking:•These notecards turn into you paper—do

them right the first time and typing up your research will be a breeze!

•The source cards become your bibliography (or in MLA style, your Works Cited); do not leave any section blank when preparing them!

Major Issues List• Now that you have determined your research

topic, you now have to think about what aspects of the topic you plan to cover in your paper

• On a blank 3x5 card, write your research topic on the top line and the potential subdivisions of your paper below it

• Be as specific as you can• The number of subdivisions you plan to cover

depends upon the topic• The order of the subdivisions is up to you and

can change as you complete your notetaking (and you have a better idea of what will be included)

Thesis Statement•One statement that specifies the point of

the research •It expresses what you plan to do with your

research topic•It is the statement of the aim, the goal,

and the main idea of your paper •It controls and focuses the paper

•It is closely related to the organizational pattern of your paper

•It can be developed by using sources expert sources of information

•It conforms to notecard evidence and title•It IS NOT a question•It DOES NOT begin with “I am going to

tell you…explain…”