Researching and writing a research paper is a great way to discover something new and exciting.  It could also seem overwhelming to organize and finalize.  If you use the guidance from the information below, it will make for an easier process.  

 

A great site that walks you through the research process comes from OSLIS (Oregon School Library System).  Two parts that will help you are the "Learn to Research" page and the "Cite My Resources" page.  

 

You can get there by clicking on the following button: 

 

 

 

 

Once in the page, click on the "Learn to Research" button.  You could then learn research tips from the "Plan," "Find," and "Create" buttons.  Simply watch the videos and read the information for each button.  More information can be found to the right of each page under "Learn To."  

 

Below are some basic guidelines of the research and writing process.  

 

Research Paper: Taking Notes

After you've gathered your sources, begin reading and taking notes.

• Use 3 x 5 index cards, one fact or idea per card. This way related ideas from different sources can be easily grouped together or rearranged.

• On each index card, be sure to note the source, including the volume number (if there is one) and the page number. If you wind up using that idea in your paper, you will have the information about the source ready to put in your citation maker.

• If you copy something directly from a book without putting it in your own words, put quotation marks around it so that you know it is an exact quotation. This will help you to avoid plagiarism.

• Before you write your rough draft, organize your note cards by subtopic (you can write headings on the cards) and make an outline.

 

Good note cards should include:

• Lists source (ex. World Book, Volume 2, page 133 - this will help when writing the "Works Cited" page)

• Includes heading or subtopic

• Is limited to one fact

• Has personal note/question

 

Research Paper:  Outline

Once your notes are organized, you should develop an outline to use for your first draft.

 

Research Paper:  Citation

Be sure to cite your work - that way, you will not plagerize (knowingly or by accident).  Use the "MLA - Cite My Sources" button on the original OSLIS page (green button above).  You can also access the MLA Citation Maker on the Library Homepage under the "Research and Learn" tab.  Some things to think about when it comes to citing:

• If using this citation maker, do not forget to enter number in given space and then click on type of source to the right. 

• If using this citation maker, you must click on the green "Create Citation Below" in the lower left corner of the citation maker.

• If using this citation maker, be sure to click "Sort All" at the bottom of the citation maker after entering all the information for all of your sources.  This will allow the citation maker to put the sources in correct alphabetical order.  

• If using this citation maker, be sure to save as Word Doc or Google Doc.  If logged in to your Google Drive, it saves the works cited page in your Google Drive.  

• A "Bibliography" is not the same as a "Works Cited."  In your "Works Cited," you only list items you have actually cited in your paper. In a "Bibliography," you list all of the material you may have consulted in preparing your research paper.  

 

Speaking of citations, a great site that explains citations in great detail and shows you each step in the citation process as well as the research process is Purdue Owl:  Purdue Online Writing Lab (click the link to the left to get there.)

 

Research Paper:  First, Second and Final Drafts

• Every essay or paper is made up of three parts:

  • introduction

  • body

  • conclusion

• The introduction is the first paragraph of the paper. It often begins with a general statement about the topic and ends with a more specific statement of the main idea of your paper. The purpose of the introduction is to

  • let the reader know what the topic is

  • inform the reader about your point of view

  • arouse the reader's curiosity so that he or she will want to read about your topic

• The body of the paper follows the introduction. It consists of a number of paragraphs in which you develop your ideas in detail.

  • Limit each paragraph to one main idea. (Don't try to talk about more than one idea per paragraph.)

  • Prove your points continually by using specific examples and quotations from your note cards.

  • Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow of ideas from paragraph to paragraph.

• The conclusion is the last paragraph of the paper. Its purpose is to

  • summarize your points, leaving out specific examples

  • restate the main idea of the paper

 

   Revise your first draft, write a second draft, and proofread for final draft.  Add your "Works Cited Page."

   

   YOU DID IT!!! Congratulations, you finished your paper.  Now get it ready for presentation.