Too Tired? Too Anxious? Need More Time? We’ve got your back.
Writing Mode: Expository or Persuasive: Essay Type – Research
The goal of a research paper is not to solely inform the reader what others have to say about a topic. However, the goal is to draw from what others have to say about the topic and to use those sources in order to offer a unique perspective on the issue/topic. When writing research papers, personal pronouns must never be used. Also, the majority of the paper must be focused around direct and indirect quotes from multiple sources. When writing research papers, students must realize that a research paper falls into two categories: (1) An Argumentative Research Paper; (2) Analytical Research Paper.
Argumentative Research Papers: The topic must be debatable or controversial. Argumentative papers will create a debate between differing sides with a logical argument that favors one side of an argument over another.
Introduction
• gives background information about the topic
• Thesis: informs the audience exactly which stance is being taken
Body Paragraphs: Works together to prove the thesis/stance being taken. Body 2,3, etc. must begin with a transition.
• Sentence 1 = Main topic that proves thesis
• Sentence 2 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 3 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 4 = Commentary to link the two quotes to the stance being taken
• Sentence 5 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 6 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 7 = Commentary to link the two quotes to the stance being taken
• Sentence 8 = Concluding sentence that wraps the main point up
Conclusion
References
Analytical Research Papers: Creates a balanced and neutral approach to presenting a snapshot of an overall topic from which you draw conclusions. The analytical approach begins with the writer forming questions within their mind that they will strive to answer through the research process. Once they find the answers to their questions, they then analyze the information and write their findings/answers within the body paragraphs through the use of direct and indirect quotes from multiple sources.
Introduction: Provides generalized background information about the topic.
• Thesis is a neutral statement that the analyzed information proves.
Body Paragraphs: All body paragraphs work together to prove the thesis. Body 2,3,etc. must begin with a transition.
• Sentence 1 = Main topic that proves thesis
• Sentence 2 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 3 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 4 = Commentary to link the two quotes to the stance being taken
• Sentence 5 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 6 = Lead-in to direct or indirect quote with proper end citation
• Sentence 7 = Commentary to link the two quotes to the stance being taken
• Sentence 8 = Concluding sentence that wraps the main point up
Conclusions for both types of research papers: Never repeats what was stated within the body paragraphs, but adds more perspective to the thesis.
References
• Directions: Begin to research your topic for the final research paper that is due week eight. You will create your title page, abstract page, introduction, and body one. Yes, right now you are skipping writing the abstract. You will go back after the entire paper is written to create and add the abstract write-up to the paper. Research prompt can be found in your syllabus.
Too Tired? Too Anxious? Need More Time? We’ve got your back.