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1. Planning a Paper
Discovering what interests you and how to share ideas with your readers is a strong beginning for a research paper that will take you beyond your current level of knowledge.
Video
Selecting a topic that interests you
Learn different brainstorming practices to help you write a paper you’ll enjoy working on.
Example
Narrow your topic
Ask questions about your subject and work with your assignment to choose an interesting, manageable topic.
Quizzes
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1.
Brainstorming a topic
Know various ways to go about brainstorming a topic for your paper.
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2.
Narrowing your topic
Focus in on a specific topic once you have brainstormed preliminary topics.
Video
Considering what your readers know about the topic
Understanding your audience can help you find ways to connect your writing with their knowledge and expectations.
Example
Consider your audience
Pose questions about the readers of your research project to determine what kinds of sources and evidence they will find most persuasive.
Quizzes
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1.
Thinking about your audience
Consider how your audience and what they know will influence your argument.
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2.
Thinking about a single reader
Think about your instructor as a reader of your research paper, and about what they expect academically.
Video
Developing an objective stance
Offer an informed opinion by thinking critically about your topic to strengthen your credibility as a writer.
Example
Consider what you know about your topic
Considering your own attitudes, experience, and stance on your topic will help you develop a reasonable research plan and locate useful evidence later on.
Quizzes
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1.
Understanding objectivity
Be aware of the role that objectivity plays in your research and argument.
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2.
Using sources objectively
Research sources in a way that strengthens both your argument and your credibility.
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Composing a thesis
Creating the right thesis for your paper can help you focus your research and develop a topic that is interesting for you and your readers.
Example
Move from research question to working thesis
As you preview sources and consider what you already know, aim to draft a statement of your working thesis and what you believe your research will show.
Quizzes
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1.
Writing a thesis statement
Understand how and when to write a thesis statement.
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2.
Refining your thesis
Evaluate and revise your thesis statement to accurately represent your argument.
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Organizing your ideas
A well-organized paper with a recognizable structure will be easier to compose and will leave your readers with a clear understanding of your topic.
Example
Organize major ideas in formal or informal outlines
Using your working thesis and major ideas, you can develop an outline to organize your project.
Quizzes
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1.
Using an argument or comparison and contrast organization
Determine whether to use argument or comparison and contrast to organize your paper.
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2.
Using a narrative or cause and effect organization
Determine whether to use a narrative or cause and effect to organize your paper.