Research Paper

How to Write a Research Paper Quickly & Step-by-Step

How to write a research paper and make a great impression?

It is quite difficult for most students. Writing a research paper can be a monumental task. One of the primary aims of writing is to collect and review existing sources of information. It means digging deep into the subject matter or topic at hand and synthesizing new information.

Learning how to write a good research paper is an important part of any college student’s learning objectives. These assignments are usually quite important and carry substantial weight points.

In this article, we’ll explore several key tips and steps on how to write a stand-out research paper, such as:

• Composition of the research paper (introduction, body paragraphs, evidence, citations, etc.)
• Understanding of the instructions: research papers may have different learning objectives
• Pre-planning your writing through writing first and second drafts
• Finalizing your work through editing and proofreading.

While there are many challenges to writing an effective research paper, ше is something that any student can pull off.

Understanding the Assignment Is Key

One key to learning how to write a research paper is to make sure that the assignment objectives are clearly understood.

Research papers may be argumentative, informative, or expository. From the rubric that has been provided by your instructor, you should discern what your writing objectives are.

Joining a discussion group with other students is a great way to understand what is required of your research paper.

Always clarify instructions on aspects such as the preferred writing format, open or closed sourcing, assignment length, submission deadlines, etc. It is also important to confirm from your instructor whether the sources you have chosen will meet the required standards.

Choosing the Research Paper Topic

Once you have understood what is required of you from the instructions, it is time to choose a topic. The topic may be preassigned, or it may be prequalified from a list.

Your instructor may also provide you with sufficient room to explore your topics. They must fit the required criteria of the assignment.

Choosing a great research paper topic is important as these assignments may extend for weeks or even more than a month. At the same time, you shouldn’t go for obvious topics or those that other researchers have already covered at length.

Preliminary Research Builds Your Writing

Learning how to write a research paper begins with preliminary research. It can save you a ton of time in the process, too.

With a great topic, it’s time to embark on preliminary research. It includes gathering information from various sources and ensuring the accuracy and credibility of such information.

A research paper will hold a huge volume of other people’s ideas. So, it is important to learn how to cite with the required techniques such as APA, Harvard, and Turabian properly.

The Thesis Statement Is the Core of Your Writing

Many students struggle with how to write a thesis for a research paper. They simply have not delineated what their research aims to do. Every piece of writing that you produce must have a purpose.

With a solid thesis statement, you can know what you are working with and your writing trajectory.

The thesis statement is the main idea of the essay. It tells your reader what to expect from your arguments and presented facts. Let’s take a look at examples of a good and bad thesis statement.

“Operating the Large Hadron Collider is a bad idea.”

“While the Large Hadron Collider is a monumental leap for physics, it does pose a threat to human existence due to the potential creation of black holes from high-energy particle collisions.”

The first statement is barely a thesis. It has little to go on, and it isn’t universally accepted that the Large Hadron Collider is a bad idea.

The second statement serves as a better thesis statement. It is more specific to the potential negative implications of operating this machine. It also leaves room for the researcher to argue out the statement.

Your Outline Guides Your Work

Most students who don’t know how to write a research paper outline often find themselves in hot soup later when their ideas can’t seem to flow together.

Once you have a thesis statement, an outline is the next critical phase of giving some order to your work. As you do your research and come up with a mind map, you should write an outline that functions like your table of contents.

Create a concise outline that covers every major facet of your research. Keep in mind that academic writing aims to present information clearly and concisely. The outline helps you accomplish it.

Write Your First Draft

How to write an abstract for a research paper?

It’s one of the questions that we frequently get. It is quite important in acing your research paper.

Once you have the outline, you are ready to create an abstract and write your first draft. Keep in mind that the research process may still be in the pipeline even as you work on this first draft.

With your first draft, you should just be laying the groundwork for where all the details such as facts, pieces of evidence, and citations will appear. The first draft ensures that you don’t leave out anything that is important.

Structuring Your Paragraphs for Success

The paragraph structure for a research paper depends on the objective of the specific section. Ideally, all your paragraphs should start with a topic sentence that introduces an idea.

It should then be backed up by primary and secondary evidence. You should also include plenty of citations. Although, these should not overwhelm the originality of your work.

Each paragraph should also be aptly linked to the previous and the next. It means that your paper should showcase a high level of logical transitioning.

Example Paragraph

Let’s take a look at an example paragraph with a topic sentence, evidence, and citations.

“Flat slabs without beam supports have great potential in reducing overall construction costs and build times. According to Lakshmi (2017), flat slabs reinforced at the columns for punching shear eliminate the need for beam reinforcement. It also improves the overall aesthetic of the build. It also makes the installation of formwork easier and cheaper since there are no obstructions in the direction of the soffit. Research by the Sika Group (2018) shows that for residential buildings up to 10 stories high, using flat slabs and eliminating beams reduces construction costs by up to 10%.”

There is an introductory statement (assuming the thesis has already been presented). The writer then proceeds to offer several pieces of evidence of the hypothesis. It is a key part of the research paper findings.

Always Cite All Your Sources

Incorporating your writing sources means that you have read widely and considered other existing research in your work. Citation is important to give your work credibility. Lack of citation in your work can lead to plagiarism.

The Introduction Is Crucial for Your Success

Learning how to write an introduction for a research paper will give your paper that extra edge it needs to keep the reader locked on.

Ideally, for a research paper, the introduction should start with something like a vital statistic or an important fact. It is a sure way to get the reader’s attention immediately.

Create a Compelling Body

Once you have your outline, the thesis statement, the introduction, and the rest of the draft, you work on the body text.

Remember to present evidence for any claims that you make and justify all your statements. Use clear, concise, and succinct language.

Tie Up Your Writing with the Conclusion

Knowing how to write a conclusion for a research paper means understanding the purpose of this specific paragraph first.

The conclusion is your chance to tie up all your arguments and evidence back to the thesis statement.

It is also your chance to provide a recommendation or a call to action for the proposals at hand. Don’t introduce any new facts or arguments within this section.

Write the Second Draft

Once you’ve created the first draft, all your ideas and arguments may still not line up. Therefore, you need to rewrite it again to ensure that your writing lines up word for word.

Revise Your Writing

Once you are satisfied that the paper has been neatly laid out and everything ties together, you can revise the paper and eliminate small errors.

Check for a logical flow of information, depth of the discussion and arguments, and overall coherence.

Global Concerns

Key issues that you should check on the research paper range from overall organization and presentation of the paper, sequencing of paragraphs, and sentence structure.

Other global concerns include word choice, delivery, and overall presentation format.

Don’t Ignore the Finer Details

Check your instruction again to ensure you haven’t missed out on any key details required in your research paper.

Have someone proofread the paper for you. It helps you catch mistakes much faster than if you do it on your own.

Your Research Paper Checklist

How to write a research paper fast?

There are a few elements that are needed for the success of any research paper.

These include:

• The thesis statement;
• The required citation format and any other instructions provided;
• Your sources should all be properly cited;
• All your arguments, evidence, and supporting statements are laid out on the draft;
• A pair of good eyes to proofread and go over the paper;
• Enough time to complete the paper.

With these items safely in place, you can be sure you are on your way to a superbly delivered paper.

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