WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 1 THE DIRECTIVE The research paper instructions are given in the directive. The directive is the major verb of the question or instruction statement. This directive highlights how the topics within the essay question must be addressed. In the examples below the directive are highlighted in red. Examples: Evaluate care ethics among nurses within the field of oncology. Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Explain the differences between diffusion, passive transport, and active transport. Discuss the similarities and differences between response generalization and stimulus generalization. Why do we need both concepts? Below is a chart containing the major categories of directives and basic answer strategies. Each category is color coded to match the relevant section within the essay structure chart on pg. 3. QUESTION TYPE DIRECTIVE/ RHETORICAL CUE Expansion Explain, expand, compare, contrast, examine, describe BASIC ANSWER ELEMENTS Explain in great detail the relationship between topic(s) You may use cause/effect, compare/contrast if needed. Use factual information. DO NOT EXPRESS YOUR OPINION Analysis Analyze, evaluate, prove/ disprove, show, justify, illustrate, discuss, examine Support an argumentative stance, principle or theory with factual information. An analysis or evaluation will need pros/cons in addition to facts. DO NOT EXPRESS YOUR OPINION WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE THE TOPIC The topic is what the essay is generally about. In the examples below the Topic is highlight in green. Examples: Evaluate care ethics among nurses within the field of oncology. Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Explain the differences between diffusion, passive transport, and active transport. Discuss the similarities and differences between response generalization and stimulus generalization. Why do we need both concepts? THE FOCUS The focus is what the research paper is specifically about. It confines your writing to a specific area within the topic. They are parameters that define or limit the scope of your paper. In the examples below the Focus is highlighted in blue. Examples: Evaluate care ethics among nurses within the field of oncology. Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Explain the differences between diffusion, passive transport, and active transport. Discuss the similarities and differences between response generalization and stimulus generalization. Why do we need both concepts? 2 WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 3 RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE SECTION TYPE & PURPOSE IntroductionThe purpose of the introduction is to introduce the topic and deliver the thesis statement or argumentative stance the author will take. In larger research papers the introduction is also used to outline, or map, the major points or premises that will support the thesis statement or argument. NOTE- depending on the format (APA, MLA) sometimes an abstract is required before the Introduction. Body- paragraph type 1 (factual presentation) This is where you present that facts or premises that support your thesis or argument. Stick to one major fact or premise per paragraph. Use as many of these paragraphs as necessary to present all the premises and facts. SECTION STRUCTURE 1) Introduce the topic via some background information, or a statement about the topic that grasps the reader’s attention. 2) Orientate the topic towards the thesis or argumentative stance. 3) Deliver the thesis statement or argumentative stance. 4) Define any terms that the audience likely won’t know but are critical to the understanding of the research paper (if necessary) 5) Outline the major points, facts, or premises that will be used to support or validate the thesis or argument. 1) State the major thought of the paragraph. 2) Validate the thought with details and facts (explanation- may use multiple sentences). 3) Concluding sentence. 4) Transition sentence to next paragraph. 1) State the fact or premise that is the focus of the paragraph 2) Validate the fact or premise with cited details, research and additional facts. 3) Concluding sentence. 4) Transition sentence to next paragraph. Body- paragraph type 2 (interpretive) This is the paragraph type in which conclusions and interpretation of the collection of facts or premises are presented. This is when you display how the facts and premises support your thesis or argument. Multiple paragraphs of this type may be needed. You don’t need to state your intention at the beginning of each paragraph of this type, only the first. 1) State intention to show how the above thoughts support your argument or thesis. 2) Argue/ display how the premises support your argument (can be multiple sentences) 3) Strong concluding statement WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 4 1) State intention to show how the above facts/ premises support the thesis or stance. 2) Argue/ display how the facts support your thesis (can be multiple sentences) 3) Strong concluding statement Body paragraph type 3 (evaluation) This paragraph is where you display your understanding of the limitations and value of your conclusions regarding the thesis statement. Body- paragraph type 4 (other considerations) This paragraph type allows for the presentation of other considerations, facts etc. that may influence or contradict your thesis or argument. Only use if the other considerations are relevant (e.g counterarguments, facts from other studies that produce different results). Using this paragraph type displays a deeper understanding of the subject. ConclusionThe conclusion can be similar to the introduction. This is where you summarize the essay and restate in extreme brevity how the facts and/or premises support your thesis or argument. Reflect upon the significance of what has been written 1) State intention to evaluate the thesis 2) Use pro’s and con’s to display the value and limitations of your thesis 3) If necessary provide examples to clarify any remaining issues 4) Strong Concluding statement 1) State that other considerations should be mentioned/ accounted for 2) State the consideration 3) Display how it may affect /contradict your argument or thesis 4) State counter-considerations (if necessary) 5) Display how it may affect the thesis/argument 6) Concluding sentence 1) State intention to conclude the paper 2) General statement about the topic 3) Summarize the major points of the paper and restate the thesis/ argumentative stance. 4) Strong concluding statement (s)-convey the broader implications/ significance of the research PROOFREADER’S CHECKLIST Check whether the writer has written about the correct topic and focus by looking at the thesis statement. It should mention both. Check whether the writer has followed the directive. This should be evident by examining the first sentence of each body paragraph. These sentences should be of a style that matches the instructions for the correct directive category within the essay structure guide. WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 5 Check for an introduction. The first paragraph should introduce the topic and contain a thesis statement or indicate the major argument or opinion the writer wants to convey. Check for a conclusion. The opening sentence of the last paragraph should state the intention to conclude the essay is some way.
