If you do not know how to start a research paper, this guide is for you. It recommends that you understand the guidelines, create a thesis and topic, make an introduction and finish with an outline.
If you are in an institution of higher learning, you probably must have come across writing a research paper in your course outline. A research paper is a piece of academic writing where an author identifies a topic, does independent research about it, and writes about the findings of the study.
The study aims to help tutors assess the ability of students to collect information, analyze it, and present it in a comprehensive write-up. Also, the research aims at proving theory and developing knowledge in a particular field of study. For these reasons, research papers are compulsory for most courses and are a significant contribution to the cumulative score a student earns at the end of a semester.
However, research paper writing is a headache for many students because they do not have a clue about where to begin. Many have no previous experience in writing such essays, and they end up procrastinating the writing process. Some go to the extent of ordering a paper online. Fortunately, starting a research paper is not too difficult, after all, thanks to this comprehensive guide. Here is how to go about it.
Format On How To Start A Research Paper
- Understand the research guidelines
- Create a thesis and select a topic
- Make a brilliant introduction
- Finish with the outline
Understand The Research Guidelines
The first thing to do is to understand the research guidelines. Tutors give recommendations about writing a research paper. It is essential to understand all that is required so that your essay meets the desired criteria.
Create A Thesis And Select A Topic
Finding the right topic can be hectic. However, once you understand the guidelines, you can focus on the subject areas you like and identify a problem that you would like to solve. That forms the backbone of your problem statement. From here, it easy to develop a thesis. Ensure that your hypothesis is clear so that the reader understands your paper. You can quickly find appropriate thesis statements by getting online or even by consulting peers and tutors. There are also online thesis generators that you can use. Finally, you can choose a relevant topic. Ensure that the topic is exciting and feasible. It should also be in line with your research area. You need to get approval from your professor to proceed.
Make A Brilliant Introduction
The introduction is the first part of a research paper, and it must be perfect. Therefore, notions, definitions, history of the topic, recent related discoveries and other informative information should be captioned here. You need to make the reader understand why you created your research paper. The introduction of your writing sets the rationale, and your readers will know what to expect from the beginning. Also, mention your hypothesis and include your thoughts on how the research will turn out in the end. Here is how to write a perfect introduction.
Announce Your Topic
The topic is the backbone of any writing as it reflects a summary of the content. It is essential to capitalize the letters accordingly to draw the attention of the reader and to give the topic the seriousness it deserves. Once you mention your topic, include the general information and gradually narrow down to the concrete aspects. When you make the introduction too complicated, the reader might get confused early on and might not bother reading further. If you are going to include ambiguous expressions, they should be explained clearly.
Review The Literature
You need some literature sources to convince the reader beyond any reasonable doubt that your ideas are valid. Thus, include citations from previous works of famous authors, philosophers, and scientists. However, do not quote their works word for word as this is plagiarism. You can use online plagiarism checkers to ensure that your paper is original.
State Your Thesis
You should conclude your introduction by stating your thesis. The statement supports all the information written in the opening and sets the tone throughout the entire paper. It must be clear and in line with the raised issues.
An Example Of An Ideal Introduction For Your Research Paper
Finish With The Outline
Not all research papers require you to include an outline, and this can be clarified in the research guidelines. An overview is a short paragraph, no more than 3-4 sentences that describe the plan for the whole paper.
If you want to know how to start a research paper, this is the go-to guide for you.
How do you write a research paper?
Here are some of the steps that will help you write a research paper:
1. Familiarize yourself with the assignment by understanding what the professor is asking for.
2. Select a topic you want to write about.
3. Do thorough research on the topic you have selected.
4. Write your thesis.
5. Come up with an outline for your paper.
6. Write your paper.
7. Edit the content to correct any possible errors.
What are the introductory words?
Introductory words in a sentence are usually adverbs or interjections that are used as transitions and sits on its own at the beginning of a sentence.
