How to Write your Research Paper
A. Organize your researched information using Headings (and possibly Subheadings):
You must include the following headings which can also be divided further into subheadings (you will
focus these more in relation to your topic):
a) Title page (include title of report, your name, teacher name, course code, date submitted)
b) Introduction (Introduce your topic and thesis; indicate reason for the research report)
c) Causes (Why does this problem exist?)
d) Effects or Consequences (What happens in society or to a person as a result of this problem?)
e) Solutions (What can be done to fix the problem?)
f) Application (Connect to one or both novels read to show increased understanding of the
problem within that novel)
g) Works Cited
h) Bibliography
i) Appendices (any charts, graphs, images to increase understanding)
Example – If you have the following research question:
Why do young people join gangs and what are the consequences?
Your headings may look like this after the title page:
Introduction
Causes: Why do young people join gangs?
Consequences: What are the effects of gangs on youth and on society?
Solutions: What can be done to prevent or eliminate gang activity in youth?
Application: Making connections to Monster and Snitch
This can be further simplified as follows:
Introduction
Causes: Reasons for Joining Gangs
Consequences: Effects of gangs
Solutions: Preventing or Eliminating Gang Activity
Application: Making Connections
B. Create an outline
Create an Outline for your Essay to help you organize your research information and also your
own ideas about your topic more easily. An outline uses Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV…) for the
Main headings, Capitalized Letters (A, B, C…) for the Subheadings, and Arabic Numbers (1, 2,
3…) for key points.
Example:
I.
Introduction
A. What is a gang?
B. Who joins gangs?
C. What is my thesis (what will this paper focus on?)
II. Causes: Reasons for Joining Gangs
A. Lack of emotional support
1. Family
2. Friends
B. Disadvantaged neighbourhood
1. Surrounded by gangs
2. Peer Pressure
And so on for next few headings…
C. Place your researched information (notes in your own words, quotations, ideas) in point
form under each subheading
D. Begin writing your research paper into paragraphs, by including the Headings and
Subheadings within your actual research paper.