Writing it Up
Make an Outline
The outline covers briefly what you intend to write. A research paper typically has four major sections:
- Introduction - includes the assignment and your thesis statement or purpose;
- Body - presents systematically the major points or argument being developed;
- Conclusions - closes the argument and summarizes the main points
made in the body, goes back to the introduction or thesis, can also flag
areas for additional research;
- Footnotes and bibliography - documents or itemizes all resources consulted and/or referenced throughout the paper.
Write a First Draft
Based on the outline you have created, as above, you can write a
first or rough draft. You may write several drafts, depending upon how
many revisions you decide to make.
Review and Revise your Rough Draft
Review the following:
- How do the body and conclusion reflect the introduction?
- Is something missing in the progressive logic?
- Does the paper's thesis, body and conclusion answer the question?
- Is the paper's length appropriate? Is it too short? Too long?
- Are the bibliography and footnotes accurate? Is the information accurate
in terms of the quotes used and the context from which they have been
drawn?
- Is the grammar, punctuation, spelling accurate? What about correct
citations?
Hint: Consider having someone else read the draft paper for constructive critical comments.
Write the Final Version
Once you have reviewed and revised the rough draft(s) you are ready
to prepare the final version of your paper, complete with title page, footnotes and bibliography.
This version should be proof read for any mistakes before it is submitted.
