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When a teacher assigns research papers, you usually don't know what they want and how you're going to do it. Here are some helpful hints that will help you on your next research paper.

Step 1: Getting started

1. Date due - assigned by your teacher
2. Length - as assigned
3. Footnotes - every research paper must have a system for showing where      the writer found the info he/she is using.
4. Bibliography or reference - A listing of the sources used.
5. Cover sheet - Include a page that has the paper title, name of course,      teacher's name, your name and due date.

Step 2: Choosing a Topic

1. Presentation - the paper is expected to be a detailed paper of a certain      topic, which has a variety of sources.
2. Procedure - focused free writing - keep the topic in mind and write for      10 minutes straight, after the ten minutes are up reread what you wrote      and underline any statements you would like to continue writing about.
3. Brainstorming - in the centre of a paper write one word or short phrase      that represents your paper and for 10 minutes write down anything that      comes to mind about that topic.
4. Listing - list all of the topics that relate to your paper.

Step 3: Matching the Topic with Organized patterns
Here are 5 most common organizational patterns:

1. Chronological - this pattern treats a topic according to its time sequence.
2. Comparison Contrast: This takes two or more aspects of your topic and      shows how they are similarly and different.
3. Topical - Breaks the topic down into smaller units.
4. Problem Solving: This states a problem and then analyzes the solution.
5. Opinion - Reason: This allows the student to state his/her topic and show      their reasons for this opinion.

Step 4: Preparing an Idea Sheet

1. Do some general reading on your topic.
2. Focused free writing
3. Question development: use the questions who, what, when, where, and      why.
4. List all ideas, questions and readings that come to mind during this time.

Step 5: Formulating a Thesis statement

1. Study and analyze your study sheet
2. Focused free writing
3. Questioning
4. Check your thesis statement to be sure that it includes both the topic and      what you plan to do with the topic
5. Be prepared to repeat 1, 2, and 3.

More to come

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