Requirements for Research Paper
You will now write a complete research paper. A research paper is an expanded essay that presents your own interpretation, evaluation, or argument, using what knowledge is already available on the subject. A research paper involves studying a topic in order to find the best possible information in that field. Your paper must present your own opinions and ideas supported by your research, correctly credited to the original authors and organizations.
Basic Requirements:
- Length: 900-1,500 words. A minimum of 900 words is required in order for your essay to be substantial. What is important is that you get your point across.
- Organization: Introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Language: Use formal language and avoid the use of first and second person -- avoid references to yourself (NO "I believe, in my opinion" etc.), no personal anecdotes, and do not address the reader (avoid "you" altogether.
- Documentation: five correctly documented quotes or paraphrases from five adequate sources.
- Style: APA style is usually used for the type of research you will be doing. Continue in that style unless otherwise stated by your professor.
- Cross-referncing: You must use in-text citations (also known as in-text references) or signal phrases each time you use the words or ideas of your sources in the essay. Cross-reference your work as explained in your handbook. The handbook is especially necessary for this essay.
- Support: You'll need a minimum of five sources. Support your ideas with expert opinion, facts, statistics, and other information you find in your research. It is a mistake to create a Frankenstein research paper by copying and pasting.
- Use the topic you chose in Discussion D2.2 Choose a TopicIThesis Statement If you are not comfortable with the topic you chose, see "If you wish to change topics"
- Take a position: This is not merely a pro/con paper where you list both sides of an argument. In this paper, you will take a side. Know your position.
- State the opposition's viewpoint: Because this is an argument, you must bring up the opposition's position and do your best to establish counter arguments to refute it
- Do more research: A minimum of five references is required for this paper. They must all be from different sources
- Write in formal English: This is a research paper, so keep to the formal third person (avoid "I" and "You") and avoid personal anecdotes.
- Proofread carefully! If you are not sure of your writing skills, you may go to one of the MDC campuses to the Writing Lab where tutors are available. You may also use Smartthinking.com. Go to the link under Tools and Resources (side menu)to find out about this resource.
- Revise, edit, and proofread. I can't stress this enough.
- Format correctly according the the documentation style your professor assigns. To assure that your Microsoft Word program does not force those extra spaces on you. and click on the bos on the left-had corner that reads "do not add extra spaces between like paragraphs." below free online tutoring through remember to go to Paragraph >
IF you wish to change topics:
Your new topic (different from the one that was accepted in Discussion D2.2), you must submit:
1. your alternate topic and a statement of purpose
2. a preliminary thesis statement for your research paper. The thesis statement should be a complete sentence in which your purpose and position is clear.
1. Romantic love is a poor basis for marriage.
2. Juvenile murderers should/should not be tried as adults.
3. Foster parenting isn't working and should be banned.
4. Most forms of govemment welfare should/should not be abolished.
5. Censorship is sometimes/never justified.
a All citizens under the age of 21 should be required to pass a driving education course before receiving a license to drive. 7. Trans fat and high fructose corn syrup are the cause of the obesity epidemic in America.
a. Gasoline taxes should be raised in order to encourage less driving.
o. Troops should/should not be immediately pulled out of foreign bases (or choose one particular base). to. Tax breaks to large corporations should/should not be eliminated
In addition to proofreading for spelling, grammar, and usage and making sure you use clear and simple language, ask yourself the following:
1. Did you use formal language (avoiding contractions, the use of first or second person and personal anecdotes)?
2. Is your thesis statement clearly stated, preferably at the end of the introduction, and did it reflect a clear position on your topic?
3. Are generalizations and opinions supported by specific details?
4. Did you bring up the opposition's viewpoints and refuted them with counter arguments of your own?
5. When you used source material, did you introduce the quotations you used in a signal phrase?
a. Did you add an in-text citation each time you used a source?
7. Did you cross-reference your sources correctly? All citations should have an entry in the References page.
s. Did you include excessive quotations; is too much of your paper quoted material, or are you including irrelevant information? (Don't do this! The amount of quotations should not exceed 25% or so of your total essay).
o. Have you looked at the sample paper in your handbook? Are all the details, including dating in your bibliographic entries, spacing, indentation etc. correct?
to. Did you assemble your References page correctly? Remember that organizations, such as World Health Organization and Pew Research Center are listed as authors. Did you alphabetize the entries?
11. Is your paper formatted correctly based on the Formatting and Typing Guidelines provided?