Contents
Section 1. Introduction to the Research Process
Types of Academic Papers
Report and Argument Research Papers
Overview of the Research Process
Section 2. Beginning the Process: Getting and Developing a Topic
Identifying Key Words
Considering Audience and Purpose
Building Block 1: Choosing a Topic for Your Paper
Narrowing the Focus of Your Topic
Types of Sources
Listing Your Sources
Steps to Finding Sources
Building Block 2: Finding Sources
Another Possible Step: Writing a Literature Review
Developing a Preliminary Thesis Statement
Thesis Statements for Report Research Papers
Thesis Statements for Argument Research Papers
Moving Ahead with Your Research and Writing
Section 3. Getting Information: Working with Sources
Types of Sources
Criteria for Evaluating Sources
Building Block 5: Evaluating Your Sources
Taking Notes
Guidelines for Taking Notes
Note-Taking Examples
Building Block 6: Taking Notes on Your Sources
Section 4. Before You Draft: Structuring Your Ideas
The Introduction
The Body
The Conclusion
Outlining
Building Block 7: Creating an Outline for Your Paper
Section 5. Drafting: Putting It All Together
Expanding on Your Ideas
Direct Quotations
Paraphrasing
Incorporating the Paraphrase
Summarizing
Plagiarism of Language
Plagiarism of Ideas
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Building Block 10: Identifying Plagiarism in Your Own Writing
Using Rhetorical Strategies
Using Sentence Structure
Building Block 11: Writing a Preliminary Draft
Section 6. Formatting Your Paper: Using Style Guides
APA Format for Student Research Paper: General Information
MLA Format for Student Research Paper: General Information
Creating and Formatting Your Source List
Non-Electronic Sources
Electronic Sources
Using Information Management Tools
APA Sample Paper
MLA Sample Paper
Building Block 12: Writing a Complete Draft
Section 7. After You Draft: Revising and Editing
DOs and DON'Ts at This Stage
Step 2 in Revising: Checking Organization
Step 3 in Revising: Checking Mechanics
Building Block 13: Using a Checklist to Verify That Your Draft is Ready to Turn In
Section 8. Preparing a Second Draft: Responding to Instructor Feedback
Responding to Longer Comments
Building Block 15: Revising Your Draft According to Instructor Feedback
Section 9. Other Elements of a Research Paper
Annotated Bibliography
Proposal (for Longer Papers)
Abstract
Graphic Elements
Tables
Figures
Appendix A: FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C: Index of Building Blocks
Index