Writing a Research Paper
By: Joyce Garczynski
Communications & Development Librarian
Albert S. Cook Library
What is a research paper?
 Purpose:
 To make an argument (about pop culture and
politics) that is supported by research
 Format:
 Written in organized prose with an introduction,
body, and conclusion
 Content:
 It has a thesis – This is the argument you are
making in the paper
 It uses what has been said in the research as
evidence in support of the thesis
What a research paper isn’t
 Not an opinion piece
 Not an opportunity to show off what you
know on a topic
 Not a series of resource summaries
Writing Step 1: Interpret the Assignment
 Whenever you get an assignment, ask:

1.
Why did your instructor ask you to do this
particular task?
2.
Who is your audience and what should your
writing style be?
3.
What kind of evidence do you need to support
your ideas?
4.
What are the absolute rules of the paper such
as deadlines, length and format?
Break into 4 groups and answer these
questions about your assignment in this class
Writing Step 2: Selecting a Topic
 Choose a topic that interests you
 Do background research and test
searching to see what’s out there
 Keep the topic manageable by
narrowing
 By medium/outlet
 By time period
 Watch out for topics that are too
local or too recent
Writing Step 3: Gather Sources
 Strategize about:
 Where to search
 How to search
 How much time it will take to
retrieve sources
 We’ll talk more about this next
session
Writing Step 4: Draft a Thesis Statement
 Develop the argument you will make
(i.e. your thesis statement)
 The thesis statement is one sentence
or two that is at the end of the
introduction
 The thesis statement should:
 State the topic of your paper
 Preview the main points you will be
making
 Synthesize the research you read
 This video offers some additional tips
Is this a good thesis statement?
 Hollywood attempted to change public opinion about
former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
 Actor Sean Penn and director Oliver Stone were strong
supporters of former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
 Actor Sean Penn and director Oliver Stone attempted to
use their celebrity status to raise public opinion in the
United States about former Venezuelan president Hugo
Chavez. Research suggests that celebrity endorsement
of politicians has a limited impact and news analyses
indicate that support for Chavez remained low despite
celebrity endorsement.
Writing Step 5: Outline Your Paper
 Use your thesis statement to shape your outline
Writing Step 6: Write a First Draft
Writing Step 7: Revise, Revise, Revise
 First draft is never the last draft
 Review your own work after some time away
 Have someone else review your work – the Writing
Lab and now at Cook Library
Get More Information
 On writing a research paper:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/0
1/
 On interpreting the assignment:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understandi
ng-assignments/
 On selecting a topic:
http://libguides.weber.edu/researchtopic
 On writing a thesis statement:
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_st
atement.shtml