Six Points To A Grade A Research Paper
If you have never taken a research paper class before going to, you may find yourself with the overwhelming job of turning in impressive assignments. If this is your scenario, here are some useful rules to assist you.
1) Have A Good Grasp Of The Assignment
Make sure that you have read through it thoroughly and completely to understand the task at hand. It helps to make an outline of any main points, topic and action words.
2) Choose The Most Simple Assignment
If your teacher gives you a choice, choose the research paper that best fits you; one that interests you and maybe you know something about. This will greatly accelerate the process and make it more enjoyable. If you have no interest in the topic, it’s likely to show when you sumit your essay.
If you don’t like the assignment or any of the options, try to put a spin on one to make it a better fit. For example, maybe the research paper is to be about classical music, but you hate that style because you’re a rock ‘n’ roller. Bingo! You could write your paper on the historic rock band “Yes”. They applied a lot of classical music into their tunes and became leaders in fusion rock.
3) Start Asking Questions
Brainstorm and write down every question you can think of. This will pull up even more subjects. Then, start questioning everyone you can from fellow students to friends and family. Ask them what they know about the topic and get their input. Do keyword searches on the internet to find subtopics, information and answers. Visit wiki and authority sites, as well as government sites and offline libraries. Make notes of your research. If you take data from books, websites, etc., be sure to write your resources down on paper for reference and a bibliography.
4) Go For An Interesting Delivery Method
Students are often instructed by a college professor as to what mode they want the research paper to be. But if left more open for your choosing, some good methods are contrasts and comparisons, statistical analysis, argumentative, problem and solution, narrative and interpretation. You could also combine modes for more pin-pointed views. You could divide it up into nicely prepared sections to point out selective aspects of your research, such as the impact your topic made on civilization, a certain era or different cultures, or discuss different financial, personal or social aspects of the topic.
5) Keep Your Subject Matter Tight
You will likely have minimal time and pages or words with which to work. Be smart and don’t get to0 broad about your topic. The entire Korean War is not going to be covered well in a few pages, but the affects of chemical warfare might.
6) Have A Very Pointed Thesis
As you present your research, start narrowing everything down, leading you into the point you are trying to make. A paper with just a lot of useless words will not be good if you don’t ‘make your point’. Whether it is your opinion or a main fact that you’ve been leading up to; some kind of a ‘zinger’ is in order.
You could leave the class or teacher thinking by bringing up a mix of scenarios for them to consider. Or, maybe answer the questions yourself by presenting your hypotheses, thus creating your thesis. Any type of contradiction, agreement or conclusion about your research could make a quality thesis statement if creatively done.
