Step by Step Guide on How to Start a Research Paper

Students dread getting assigned research papers and procrastinate when it comes to writing them. They delay the writing process in hopes of getting done with it in a single day. But writing a good research paper isn’t a task that can be completed in one sitting. Research paper writing consists of several important steps that must be followed when writing. Starting a research paper alone requires preparation and planning. Want to learn how to start a research paper? Continue reading to find out the basic plan to approach the introduction for a research paper. Quick Links 1. Steps to Start a Research Paper 1.1 Understand the Guidelines 1.2 Choosing a Research Paper Topic 1.3 Conduct Research on Your Topic 1.4 Sketch a Research Paper Outline 1.5 Write a Thesis Statement 1.6 Craft an Engaging Introduction 1.7 Finish Writing your Research Paper 1. Steps to Start a Research Paper The mistake that most students make is that they jump straight to the writing process without doing the required research. It is called a research paper after all, so it is a given that you will need to conduct some kind of research before you decide to start writing. It does sound boring and pretty tedious, but it can be made easier with just a little planning and sticking to a format. The must haves to write an introduction and get your research paper off the ground are:good Deciding on a research paper topic Carry out research Organize the data and findings Create a research paper outline Create a thesis statement No matter the subject you are writing for, or your academic level these basic steps hold for starting all research papers. Lets discuss about each of these steps in detail to give you a better understanding of the writing process. 1.1. Understand the Guidelines Before getting started it is always a good idea to carefully read the professors guidelines. This will help ensure you are clear about what is asked and you dont go off track. Also, the guidelines will help you understand how you plan to approach and answer your research question. There might be some specific instructions regarding the formatting of your research paper. For example, your teacher has provided the instructions regarding the citation style that should be followed. 1.2. Choosing a Research Paper Topic The foundation of any piece of writing is the idea behind it. The topic sets the tone for the entire paper, and your job becomes easier when you write on a topic that interests you. If given the opportunity to write on a topic of your choice, it is best to start early and brainstorm different ideas. You cant expect to immediately decide on a topic, some might seem too vague or generalized. While some wont have enough information available to write on. The steps for choosing an informative topic are: Pick a topic that you are passionate about Keep in mind the readers interest It must be relevant to your subject Must not be too broad should be manageable If you are out of ideas and cant find anything that fits your interests, here is a list of interesting research paper topics. 1.3. Conduct Research on Your Topic The process of writing a research paper is incomplete without actually performing the research. It is definitely the most exhausting stage of the life cycle. But it is the most crucial step, you cant expect to write an entire paper on a particular topic without having background information on it, can you? You can start by reading an article on your chosen topic, surf the internet for credible resources. Or go through different scholarly books and journals. An effective way of doing so is to hit the nearest library and start digging up information. Look for facts and supporting evidence that will support your thesis statement. To prove your statement, it is important that you must have supporting details and relevant facts. Only then you will be able to prove your research question of hypothesis. It is quite possible to get overwhelmed with the excessive information so you should organize your findings from the start. 1.4. Sketch a Research Paper Outline Once you have gathered the necessary data, the next step is drafting an outline. Your outline or structure will act as a placeholder for the actual information. Simply note down the important and main ideas that will go in each section. Group together your own ideas along with the gathered information. Dont think of it as the final version, you can make changes to it as you go. This will just help make the actual writeup more organized and easier to complete. Here is a detailed guide that will help you in writing a research paper outline effectively. 1.5. Write a Thesis Statement Crafting a clear, arguable thesis statement is another element of a research paper. A thesis statement usually comprises of one to two sentences and is usually situated at the end of your introduction paragraph. The thesis statement sums up the main idea and the purpose of your research, which helps keep you on the right track. Keep referencing back to your thesis statement to avoid getting lost in discussing irrelevant ideas. Brainstorm different thesis ideas before finalizing one. Remember that the purpose of a thesis statement is to make the reader understand your topic, its purpose and not confusing them further. Here is a blog on sample thesis statements for a research paper that you can go through for crafting a strong thesis. 1.6. Craft an Engaging Introduction Writing an exciting introductory paragraph sure is a daunting task. However, if you have followed the earlier steps, you are good to go. You have an interesting topic, thesis, relevant information and a research question. These are the main components of an introduction with addition to a catchy hook. A hook sentence is a chance to grab the readers attention by sharing an interesting quote, fact, statistic or an anecdote. Avoid using sentences such as: This paper is based on In this paper I am going to discuss 1.7. Finish Writing your Research Paper All the above-mentioned steps were to get you started with the writing process. However, this is the stage where the actual writing takes place. Use your thoughts and ideas as well as the evidence to craft an informative and interesting research paper. Here is a detailed guide that will help you learn about writing the different sections of a research paper in depth. Dont forget to proofread your paper. Once you are done with these stages, read your paper with a fresh mind to get rid of any errors or vague ideas. 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