| Writing a research paper can be a daunting task. | | | | carries more authority than that of anyone else |
| Many students struggle organizing and expressing their | | | | speaking on the matter. For the remainder of the |
| thoughts coherently when writing a research paper. In | | | | meeting, all that is discussed will reference back to and |
| addition to the difficulty of expressing yourself | | | | or cohere with what the "big cheese" said. |
| coherently, it can also be difficult to gather the actual | | | | Thus when researching specific resources for your |
| research needed to write your research paper. | | | | paper, find out who the "big cheese" is on your topic! |
| What can be most difficult about writing a research | | | | Who is quoted or referenced in the majority of works |
| paper is deciding exactly where to start gathering the | | | | that you have researched? Who seems to be the final |
| information that you need. There is usually a myriad of | | | | word on your topic? This person is the "big cheese" |
| information available for nearly any given topic. From | | | | whom you are looking for. Make the "big cheese" your |
| books, articles, and magazines to the internet, your | | | | starting point for finding other references. Find all the |
| primary difficulty when writing a research paper can | | | | relevant works by your "big cheese" that you can, and |
| be sifting through a large quantity of information on | | | | see which works that person acknowledges -- |
| your topic. | | | | consider using those as supporting references for your |
| Choosing correct information from the best resources | | | | paper. |
| can make or break the quality of your paper. Even if | | | | 3. Choose relevant resources - but leave room to |
| your written argument both flows smoothly and | | | | make your paper your own! |
| follows stylistic rules, if your content and supporting | | | | Choose resources relevant to your topic that you can |
| research is poor, then your entire paper will render | | | | incorporate smoothly into the flow of your paper. Do |
| insignificant. The pressure of researching properly may | | | | not see a research paper simply as proof of how |
| be enough to hinder you from writing a great paper -- | | | | many sources you have read -- your scholarly |
| but do not be overwhelmed! Here is how to select the | | | | references have already published their own writings! |
| best resources for writing your next research paper. | | | | Keep your specific topic in mind, so you can |
| 1. Choose a narrow, specific topic to determine the | | | | incorporate your various resources as aids to guide |
| amount of resources you need. | | | | your paper in its direction. However, a research paper |
| Choosing a narrow, specific topic accomplishes two | | | | is not merely a long series of quotations about what |
| things. First, this can eliminate content that is not | | | | others have already said -- it is ineffective to assemble |
| relevant to what you are writing. Secondly, it allows | | | | a conglomerate volume of various statements instead |
| you to begin searching for resources that also | | | | of creating your own argument. When writing a |
| emphasize your chosen topic. You can always add | | | | research paper, you are entering a conversation about |
| more information later -- a few, well-developed points | | | | your topic in which others have already contributed |
| are often more effective than a long list of | | | | their opinion. Decide what your view is on the topic |
| underdeveloped points. | | | | based on supporting evidence -- but do not let anyone |
| 2. Find the highest-valued expert -- the "Big Cheese" -- | | | | do all the speaking for you. |
| on your topic. | | | | 4. Research opposing views to address possible |
| Here is an analogy for finding expert research. Have | | | | objections to your argument. |
| you ever sat in a "round-table" meeting with a number | | | | A superb research paper will not only contain |
| of people to discuss a specific matter? Different | | | | information that supports your view of the topic, but |
| individuals may take turns sharing information to move | | | | also will include contrary views. Meet each contrary |
| the discussion toward a certain decision. In most | | | | view with a strong rebuttal as to why yours is correct. |
| "round-table" settings, there is one authoritative person, | | | | Researching for writing a research paper is a laborious |
| usually a supervisor or trusted leader, that all anticipate | | | | task -- even those students who "enjoy" reading will |
| hearing speak. Once that person rises, everyone holds | | | | admit this! However, by implementing these 4 steps, |
| their breath to listen intently. This person may be called | | | | you will not only improve your research skills but also |
| the "big cheese" of your meeting -- whose opinion | | | | your writing skills as a whole. |