How to Write Paper

How to Write Paper. This list goes directly to the point guide in writing library-based research papers.

Although this list shows that there is a simple linear process for writing such a paper, the actual paper writing process is often messy and recursive, so please use this outline as a flexible guide.

• Finding, Narrowing, and Focusing on Topics That Can Be Researched
• Searching for, Selecting, and Reading Resources
• Grouping, Ordering, and Data Collection
• Write an Outline and Prospectus for Yourself
• Writing Introduction
• Writing Body
• Writing Conclusions
• Revise the Final Draft

Finding, Narrowing, and Focusing on Topics That Can Be Researched

• Find topics that really interest you
• Try writing your way to a topic
• Talk to your course instructor and classmates about your topic
• Pose your topic as a question that must be answered or a problem that must be solved

Finding, Selecting, and Reading Resources

You need to see the following source types:

• Library catalog, periodic index, bibliography, advice from your instructor
• Primary vs. source. secondary
• Journals, books, other documents

Grouping, Ordering, and Data Collection

The following system will help you stay organized:

• System for recording sources on bibliographic cards
• System to regulate material in accordance with their relative importance
• System for taking notes

Writing Outline and Prospectus for Yourself

Consider the following questions:

• What is the topic?
• Why is this important?
• What background material is relevant?
• What is my thesis or statement of purpose?
• What are the organizational plans that best support my goals?

Writing Introduction

Do the following, in the introduction:

• Presents a relevant background or contextual material
• Specify terms or concepts if needed
• Explain the focus of your paper and specific goals
• Reveal your organization's plans

Writing Body

• Use your outline and prospectus as a flexible guide
• Make your essay around the points you want to make (that is, don't let your source arrange your paper)
• Build a discussion that integrates with your source
• Analyze, explain, evaluate and summarize published works rather than just reporting them
• Follow the flow of up and down stairs which "abstraction" from generalization to various levels of detail returns to generalization

Writing Conclusions

• If your paper argument or point is complicated, you might need to summarize the arguments for your readers.
• If before your conclusion has not explained the significance of your findings or if you continue inductively, use the end of your paper to add your points, to explain their significance.
• Move from a detailed level to a general level that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction.
• Maybe suggesting what about this topic needs further research.

Revise the Final Draft

• Check the entire organization: a logical introductory flow, coherence and depth of discussion in the body, the effectiveness of conclusions.
• Attention to paragraph levels: topic sentences, sequence of ideas in paragraphs, use of details to support generalization, summary sentences if necessary, use of transitions in and between paragraphs.
• Attention level sentences: sentence structure, word choice, punctuation, spelling.
• Documentation: consistent use of one system, all material citations that are not considered general knowledge, use of appropriate footnotes or endnotes, accuracy of citations to lists of works.