Core Tips on Writing A Research Paper
The most important aspect of any research paper is making sure each of your body paragraphs clearly relate and connect to the thesis.
Although each body paragraph may vary in its focus, it should clearly be related to the thesis or your overall claim. Additionally, all the sources you use should be related to the focus on the body paragraph it is presented in. In this way, the reader can easily follow your points and understand how each of them works towards proving your thesis.
Do not feel married to your thesis in its original form during the writing process (exception- Seton Assignments that have required thesis statements that you must use word-for-word
Do not think you cannot alter or change your thesis as your writing and research progress. It is a natural part of the writing process to continually revise the thesis statement. You may want to structure some reasons in your thesis to be more pronounced than others due to how much evidence you have uncovered during research. Conversely, you may want to replace one reason/idea with another since you were not able to find sufficient evidence or it did not seem to logically fit well with your overall argument. In sum, your thesis is malleable and you want to continually form the thesis in a way that best outlines your claim with the most potent and well-evidenced reasons.
Learn also to employ transitional words and phrases for the topic sentences in each paragraph (showing the reader you are shifting focus from the previous paragraph, to another focus) and even with sentences within each paragraph (this helps when moving from one specific example/proof/evidence to the next). Here is a list of transitional words and phrases you might want to use: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/style/transitions/
In the end, however, it is paramount your paper is well-focused and well-documented. Always keep the thesis in mind whenever considering using a source or determining what your next paragraph should focus on.
I hope the advice and guidance above is helpful in moving forward with your research paper. Feel free to email or call our HS English Academic Counselors if you have any further questions: hsenglish@setonhome.org; 540-622-5560
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