Tips for Outstanding Research Papers

Quick Take

Pick a topic that's useful or VERY interesting to you. Do a little research. Make a preliminary outline. Buy notecards. Take notes/make author cards. Paraphrase as you go. Adjust your outline. Write your first draft. Proofread and revise. Hand in your most excellent paper! Print out this checklist (Opens with Word -  if you need rtf, use this) as an aid to getting a good grade.

Below is one wonderful method for organizing yourself and your research paper!  It is not, however, the ONLY method!  If your teacher wants you to try something else, well, hey, she's YOUR teacher, so do it!!  However, I have found that the following approach earned me many "A"s in school, including college.  If not today, some day, give it a try.  It really works!  It seems like a lot of work, but in the end it saves time and gets excellent results.

Choose a topic that will benefit YOU. If your teacher lets you choose a topic, make your choice carefully.  Don't go for the easiest one or the one your brother did (and still has notes on -- somewhere).  Brainstorm topics that either interest YOU or will help you learn more about a career you are thinking about.

Do basic research before committing to a topic. Check out the web and the library right away.  Make sure you have enough resources to actually write a paper on your chosen topic.  If the topic seems too big, narrow it down to something you can handle well in one paper.

Gather some simple supplies to keep organized. Find or purchase a two pocket folder for storing teacher instructions regarding your paper.  Also, buy 3 by 5 index cards, and 6 by 8 index cards, to use in note taking.  You can also cut sheets of scrap paper to serve as note cards.

Start right away. If a book you want is unavailable in your library, you may be able to order it from another.  An interlibrary loan usually takes a week or so.  Starting early also gives you time to get replies to emails or snail mail letters requesting information.  Finally, starting early will leave you with enough time to polish your final draft and for any unexpected delays -- like a computer meltdown!  It's the old tortoise and the hare story -- slow and steady wins a good grade!

The Preliminary Outline

A preliminary outline is a tool. Something "preliminary" is something you do before -- in this case, before much research. You make it right after you choose your topic and have done just enough research to know what your topic is about.  It will help you build a great paper.  Here's how. . .

Head a sheet of paper with your title, followed by the thesis. The thesis is your paper's purpose -- a one sentence description of what your paper will be about.  For instance, "Nazi propaganda persuaded the German people to persecute many groups of people."  The thesis must be simple enough be written about completely in one paper, yet clear enough to remind you what should or should not go into your paper.    Spend time writing a good thesis.  If you are having trouble, do a little more research.  DON'T SKIP THIS STEP.  You must have a clear thesis before you start.

Keep it simple.  Jot down a few headings outline style.  (See below.)  Most papers will begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion.  What are three or four headings your paper might have in the middle?  Even though you don't know a lot about your subject yet, you do know enough to make a preliminary outline.  All of your notes will be linked to this outline.  Writing your paper will be easier because of it.

Change it as you go.  As you learn more, you will probably want to change your outline and add subheadings so you can be more organized.  This is fine.   This isn't a paper for the teacher, remember; it is a tool to help you organize your paper and notes.

follow Zeke's pal Frosty McSlice the Greyhound to the next level. . .

Back to Mini Study Skills Lessons