Research Paper Tips

Tips on Writing a Research Paper

Select a topic.

Narrow your topic to a workable thesis.

Go to the library and schedule a Research Paper Consultation for help in finding resources.

Prepare a working bibliography or source cards. Ask your instructor if he or she prefers the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA) style.

• APA - American Psychological Association
• MLA - See MLA Style, then Frequently Asked Questions
• MLA - Capital Community College
• MLA and APA - Purdue University
• MLA and APA - University of Wisconsin
• MLA, APA and Chicago Manual of Style/Turabian - Long Island University
• Chicago Manual of Style/Turabian
• Chicago Manual Style

Prepare a working outline

Begin reading and taking notes

• How to Rewrite Source Material
• Plagiarism
• Forms of Support

Write a final outline and a clearly defined thesis

• Example of Topic Outline
• Example of Sentence Outline

Write the first draft on the computer with footnotes, endnotes, or in-text documentation

• In-Text Documentation - MLA
• Types of Documentation - MLA

Revise paper and proofread carefully several times. Type copy and proofread at intervals as you did previously.

Arrange source cards in alphabetical order and complete the Works Cited/Works Consulted (MLA) or references (APA) page(s).

Other Sources:

• The Research Paper in Eight "Easy" Steps
• Guide to Grammar and Writing - Capital Community College
• Evaluating Web Sites
• Citing the Internet