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Writing a Research Paper

Writing a Research Paper. By: Joyce Garczynski Communications & Development Librarian Albert S. Cook Library. What is a research paper?. Purpose: To make an argument (about pop culture and politics) that is supported by research Format :

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Writing a Research Paper

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  1. Writing a Research Paper By: Joyce Garczynski Communications & Development Librarian Albert S. Cook Library

  2. What is a research paper? • Purpose: • To make an argument (about pop culture and politics) that is supported by research • Format: • Written in organized prose with an introduction, body, and conclusion • Content: • It has a thesis – This is the argument you are making in the paper • It uses what has been said in the research as evidence in support of the thesis

  3. What a research paper isn’t • Not an opinion piece • Not an opportunity to show off what you know on a topic • Not a series of resource summaries

  4. Writing Step 1: Interpret the Assignment • Whenever you get an assignment, ask: • Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task? • Who is your audience and what should your writing style be? • What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas? • What are the absolute rules of the paper such as deadlines, length and format? • Break into 4 groups and answer these questions about your assignment in this class

  5. Writing Step 2: Selecting a Topic • Choose a topic that interests you • Do background research and test searching to see what’s out there • Keep the topic manageable by narrowing • By medium/outlet • By time period • Watch out for topics that are too local or too recent

  6. Writing Step 3: Gather Sources • Strategize about: • Where to search • How to search • How much time it will take to retrieve sources • We’ll talk more about this next session

  7. Writing Step 4: Draft a Thesis Statement • Develop the argument you will make (i.e. your thesis statement) • The thesis statement is one sentence or two that is at the end of the introduction • The thesis statement should: • State the topic of your paper • Preview the main points you will be making • Synthesize the research you read • This video offers some additional tips

  8. Is this a good thesis statement? • Hollywood attempted to change public opinion about former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. • Actor Sean Penn and director Oliver Stone were strong supporters of former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. • Actor Sean Penn and director Oliver Stone attempted to use their celebrity status to raise public opinion in the United States about former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Research suggests that celebrity endorsement of politicians has a limited impact and news analyses indicate that support for Chavez remained low despite celebrity endorsement.

  9. Writing Step 5: Outline Your Paper • Use your thesis statement to shape your outline

  10. Writing Step 6: Write a First Draft

  11. Writing Step 7: Revise, Revise, Revise • First draft is never the last draft • Review your own work after some time away • Have someone else review your work – the Writing Lab and now at Cook Library

  12. You’re Done! Hand in your paper

  13. Get More Information • On writing a research paper: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/01/ • On interpreting the assignment: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understanding-assignments/ • On selecting a topic: http://libguides.weber.edu/researchtopic • On writing a thesis statement: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml

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