College students are probably required to write at least one college-level research paper before graduation. If you have never crafted a research paper before, it can seem a little daunting. But do not worry. We can help.
You can use this guide to learn how to write an essay because we have done all the research for you. You can follow these steps and use these resources to write a strong research paper, plus a checklist to check your work. The art of research writing can be challenging, but with a bit of practice, it can become an invaluable tool for any scholar or professional.
Below are the 8 steps on How to Write a Perfect 30-Paper Essay
Step 1: Go Through the Instructions
Even before the first step, it is important to note that you have an early start. It is okay if you have plenty of weeks or a month for your final 30-page long essay. Begin working on it as early as you can. When you go through the steps below, we already assume that you have started weeks earlier. Back to the instructions…
It may seem obvious, but understanding what your teacher or professor wants from you before you begin to write your research paper is crucial. This step is often skipped by students, who then wonder why they received a low grade on a paper that they put a lot of effort into. Students often do not read the instructions carefully.
Take the time to review the assignment. Pay close attention to all information your instructor has provided. If you have received a writing assignment, prompts, and grading rubric carefully read them. Take notes if necessary. Make sure you understand exactly what your teacher is asking you to write and how he or she will grade you. If you are not sure, ask! Before you select a topic, talk with your teacher about it. This will help you select a topic that is appropriate.
Step 2: Decide on a Topic
As soon as you understand what you are required to write in your research paper, you can decide what to write about. It may seem overwhelming, but do not lose your temper. Writing about a subject you are passionate about can be very beneficial but do not worry about picking the perfect subject. You can often benefit from a controversial topic since you can demonstrate your ability to explain differing viewpoints objectively as well as defend one if it is required.
Pick your paper topic based on the guidelines provided by your instructor. Consider choosing another topic if your preferred topic does not fit within the guidelines. Choosing a topic that is relevant to the assignment will be easier for you in the long run. By the end of this process, you should have a general grasp of the topic, but it is not essential that you know everything now.
If you cannot decide on a topic, you can always seek help from a UK essay writing firm. Many companies offer free essay topics.
Step 3: Do your research
Here it is – research! Research for a paper can be done in a variety of ways; different people will do it differently. The most important thing is to get started quickly and stay focused. Remember, you still need to write the paper.
When doing research, remember to:
1) skim
2) find reliable sources
3) don’t ignore the information.
The first step is to skim. If you are researching a topic, you do not have to read everything that has ever been written about it in-depth.
Finding reliable resources is the next step. Wikipedia is a good general reference source to familiarize yourself with a topic, find keywords that can further your research, and quickly comprehend massive amounts of information. But, for the information you use in your paper, you have to find reliable resources.
Step 4: Organize Your Research
What are you going to do with this data now that you have it? The fourth step is to get organized. There is no single way to organize data. It varies according to the assignment. When you make a bibliography (an index of the books, articles, and other sources you used in your research), you can organize your work.
If your teacher asks you to turn in a bibliography, make sure your bibliography meets the needs of the paper (think back to step #1; you should already know what the assignment is by now). Consider how you would like to organize your research if you are making one for yourself only.
Step 5: Create your Thesis
Now that you understand what your assignment is, have chosen a topic that is relevant, and have done the research and organization, you are ready to articulate your opinion, argument, or thesis statement. Even if your paper is not arguing for or against anything, you still need a thesis. In research and writing, a thesis is a short statement that describes what you are trying to explain or prove to the readers of your paper.
Step 6: Create a plan
Creating an outline varies depending on the assignment. Make sure you follow your teacher’s instructions or guidelines when you prepare your outline. You can still use it to build your research paper, even if you are not required to write an outline.
Outlines are a way of structuring your paper. Following patterns and guides can be useful, but do not be too formulaic. For a college research paper, you can use the same pattern you used in high school, but make sure you choose a format that makes sense for your paper.
Research papers with three or five main sections may not be appropriate if your thesis has two main points. If you are asked to introduce a topic, explain different points of view on the topic, and then
choose and explain your own position, your paper will probably consist of three main sections, one for each of the objectives.
Step 7: Write
Lastly, it’s time to put pen to paper. While it may seem like you should have started writing sooner, you have already produced valuable content up to this point. This will help you build a strong, clear research paper.
Do not be a perfectionist as you write. You do not have to worry about flawless grammar, the perfect words, or the perfect title. You have time to edit as you go. For now, all you need to do is write.
Step 8: Edit the Content
As soon as you have finished writing your paper, take the time to congratulate yourself. After all, you have worked very hard to reach this point! And then, get back to work. Before you can turn in your paper, you still need to edit it.
It is time to cut down or build up your paper if it is too long or too short. You should not simply delete the conclusion if the paper is too long. Do not waste your time trying to lengthen your essay by adjusting the font size and margins. Make these edits carefully and thoughtfully. Consider how you could expand on or add to your essay in a way that is relevant to your paper, further the points you are making or add important details.
When done, time to press the “send” button and wait for your professor to give you a good grade.
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