{"id":4316,"date":"2014-10-28T18:19:53","date_gmt":"2014-10-28T18:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/how-to-write-a-research-paper-in-6-steps\/"},"modified":"2021-09-13T20:36:22","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T20:36:22","slug":"how-to-write-a-research-paper-in-6-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/blog\/how-to-write-a-research-paper-in-6-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Research Paper in 6 Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction Text” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

As a senior English major, I\u2019ve written so many research papers that I\u2019m not even fazed by them anymore.<\/p>\n

Professor wants eight to 10 pages and at least 12 sources? Pssh\u2014I\u2019ve got this! But I wasn\u2019t always this confident in my writing abilities.<\/p>\n

When I was a freshman and looking at the assignment description for my first research paper, I didn\u2019t quite know where to begin.<\/p>\n

Lucky for you, though, I\u2019m going to share with you the strategies I\u2019ve learned over the years.<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”1. Start researching early” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”1. Start researching early” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″]<\/p>\n

Despite its sketchy reputation, Wikipedia isn’t a bad place to begin. You can get general ideas from a Wikipedia page, but you\u2019ll want to do your real research at the Krueger Library<\/a>. In addition to thousands of books, students also have access to a ton of scholarly journals and online databases. JSTOR<\/a>, Academic Search Premier <\/a>and\u00a0ScienceDirect<\/a>\u00a0are some of the more popular databases.<\/p>\n

If the thought of diving into databases overwhelms you, ask a librarian<\/a> for help. Each academic department has a librarian who’s an expert in that field and can help direct your research.<\/p>\n

Researching is the longest step in the writing process, so give yourself plenty of time to find the right sources you need.<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”2. Outline, outline, outline” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”2. Outline, outline, outline” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″]<\/p>\n

You might be able to write a reflection paper without a clear idea of where you\u2019re heading, but that won\u2019t work with a research paper.<\/p>\n

You need to outline\u2014whether it\u2019s official with roman numerals or just a basic sketch\u2014so you know how you’re getting from claim A to claim B and finally to conclusion C.<\/p>\n

Develop a working thesis and map out your main points. Start picking out good quotes from your sources and file them under their respective topics. This will help you later when you turn this outline into full-fledged paragraphs.<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”3. Write your first draft” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”3. Write your first draft” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″]<\/p>\n

Now, it\u2019s very easy to get swept up in all the research, but at some point you\u2019ve got to pull your head out of the books and put your fingers to the keyboard. Carve out a good chunk of time and go at it.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry about getting the transitions or spelling totally correct at this point. You just need to figure out what you’re even trying to say about your subject.<\/p>\n

I usually give myself at least two or three hours because once I\u2019m in the zone, I don\u2019t want to stop until it\u2019s done.<\/p>\n

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Pro tip:<\/strong> After expending all that brain power, take a nap or play a game on your phone to relax and recharge.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”4. Revise, and revise again” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”4. Revise, and revise again” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″]<\/p>\n

This is NOT the step to check for proper use of commas and misspellings (that comes a bit later). Revising is taking those rough sentences you furiously typed into a Word doc and making them into coherent paragraphs with good sentence flow and an academic vocabulary.<\/p>\n

Once you have each paragraph looking pretty good, take a look at your essay as whole.<\/p>\n