The Nuts and Bolts of
Writing an Academic
Research Paper
Dr. Ryan Allen
Assistant Professor of English & Writing
Director, Writing Center
Briar Cliff University
ryan.allen@briarcliff.edu
712-279-5211
What are the basics in
research writing?
•Research-based
thesis
•Strong and clear introduction
•Providing contextual information for essay and for
each topic
•Developing organizational strategies
•Providing evidence from research to support topics
and thesis
•Effective use of paraphrasing and quotations
•Conclusion
•Reference List
Research-Based Thesis
Research Based Thesis
Avoids
first person perspective or opinion
Provides an assertion about the topic
Different from informative or persuasive thesis
Speak through the research, and let it guide your
work!
Research Based Thesis
Topic: Acupuncture for dressage horses
Informative: There are many types of holistic
treatments for dressage horses, including
acupuncture, acupressure, and massage.
Persuasive: If you own a dressage horse, it is
imperative that you treat his withers, back, and leg
joints with acupuncture.
Research-based: Studies show that dressage horses
benefit from acupuncture because it effectively
relieves wither and back pain, joint stiffness, and
improves their overall circulation.
Research Based Thesis
Topic: Acupuncture for dressage horses
Research-based: Studies show that dressage horses
benefit from acupuncture because it effectively relieves
wither and back pain, joint stiffness, and improves their
overall circulation.
Preview of points built in:
•Acupuncture effectively relieves wither and back pain in
dressage horses
•Acupuncture also relieves joint stiffness.
•Acupuncture also improves a dressage horse’s overall
circulation.
Developing Organizational
Strategies for the Essay:
Introduction,
Context,
Body Paragraphs, and
Conclusion
Organizational Strategies
for the Whole Essay:
•Thesis
with preview of points built in
•Forecasts what topics you will cover and use
to support your thesis
•Develops the main body sections of your
paper
•Creates the continuity needed in a thesisdriven paper
•Develops a scaffolding for the whole paper
Developing Organizational
Strategies: Whole Essay and
Scaffolding
Thesis: Studies show that dressage horses benefit from acupuncture
because it effectively relieves wither and back pain, joint stiffness, and
improves their overall circulation.
Supporting point 1:
Careful research has revealed that dressage horses benefit from
acupuncture primarily because it relieves pain in their withers and
back, which in turn impacts the quality of their performance.
Supporting point 2:
Acupuncture also relieves joint stiffness in dressage horses, which
allows for cleaner transitions in the arena.
Supporting point 3:
Leading experts agree that acupuncture also improves dressage
horses’ overall circulation, which can prolong their careers and lives.
Introductions
Introductions
Inverted
triangle
Broad introduction to the main topic
Move to more focused information
End with main focal point: the thesis
Assume
an “unknowing” reader
Avoid first person
No need for quotations
Sample 1
INTRODUCTIONS
Introduction Sample
Dressage is one of the most physically demanding horse
sports. Horses are judged on their athleticism, grace, and
mental acuity as they “dance” across and around an arena.
Dressage requires quick foot movement, transitions, and
halts. Although it is a beautiful sport and art form, it requires
intense physical dexterity, and as such, subjects horses to
many bodily ailments. Many treatments have been developed
to try to alleviate the pain central to these ailments, from
traditional treatments by oral medications and cortisone
injections, but recent studies have also shown that there are
non-traditional ways to treat the aches and pains associated
with dressage horses, such as massage, acupressure, and
acupuncture treatments. Of these treatments, studies show
that dressage horses benefit most from acupuncture because
it effectively relieves wither and back pain, joint stiffness, and
improves their overall circulation.
Contextual Information
Contextual Information
Assume
an “unknowing” reader
What does your reader need to know first?
Logical progression
1-2 paragraphs (not majority of essay!)
Informative aspect of your paper
Contextual Information
What kinds of questions might I need to address and
answer for my reader?
What is dressage?
When did it start?
What makes a good dressage horse?
What impact does it have on a horse’s body?
What is acupuncture?
How long has it been practiced?
How is it effectively practiced on horses?
What areas of the body might it benefit?
What makes it ideal for dressage horses?
Organizational Strategies
within a Body Paragraph
Organizational pattern for a body paragraph (or two)
Topic sentence
Brief explanation of contextual information needed
to understand topic sentence/supporting point
Supporting evidence from research
Engage and link quotations to topic sentence
Tie up any loose ends
[Transition to next topic]
Supportive Evidence from
Research in a Body
Paragraph
Supportive Evidence from
Research

Paraphrase
◦ Rely most heavily on this
◦ Remote paraphrase was the best

Quotations
◦ Use sparingly!
◦ Avoid block quotations (more than 1)

Citations!
◦ Avoid plagiarism!
◦ Demonstrate research!
Example 2
DEVELOPING
ORGANIZATIONAL
STRATEGIES AND USING
RESEARCH EVIDENCE IN
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Body Paragraph Sample
(APA example)
Acupuncture relieves joint stiffness in dressage horses, which
allows for cleaner transitions in the arena and helps to prevent
premature lameness. Joint stiffness is common to performance
horses, as is lameness. Lameness occurs when a horse is unable to
remain stable on their feet and “founder,” which ends their careers
and compromises their health (Hackett, Spitzfaden, May, Savoldi, &
Dodd, 1997). Due to the amount of work stress developed through
repetitive and intense motion in the arena, stiffness and lameness
are issues frequently met by dressage horses. Acupuncture offers
relief to over-worked joints and feet by opening up the “chi,” or
energy flow, through a horse’s musculature and skeletal systems
(Schoen, 2000; DeRock, n.d.). By creating “chi” flow throughout the
horses legs, hip and shoulder joints, and feet, acupuncture also
increases a horse’s flexibility and mobility, thereby allowing them to
make cleaner transitions in the arena. The “chi” flow also decreases
a horse’s chance of becoming lame (Schoen, 2000; Brennan and
Ekroate, 2004).
Body Paragraph Sample
(APA example)
Acupuncture relieves joint stiffness in dressage horses, which
allows for cleaner transitions in the arena and helps to prevent
premature lameness. Joint stiffness is common to performance
horses, as is lameness. Lameness occurs when a horse is unable to
remain stable on their feet and “founder,” which ends their careers
and compromises their health (Hackett, Spitzfaden, May, Savoldi, &
Dodd, 1997). Due to the amount of work stress developed through
repetitive and intense motion in the arena, stiffness and lameness
are issues frequently met by dressage horses.
Acupuncture offers relief to over-worked joints and feet by opening
up the “chi,” or energy flow, through a horse’s musculature and
skeletal systems (Schoen, 2000; DeRock, n.d.). By creating “chi” flow
throughout the horses legs, hip and shoulder joints, and feet,
acupuncture also increases a horse’s flexibility and mobility, thereby
allowing them to make cleaner transitions in the arena. The “chi”
flow also decreases a horse’s chance of becoming lame (Schoen,
2000; Brennan and Ekroate, 2004).
Conclusion
The Dreaded Conclusion!
Some sources will suggest to ask a question that has not yet
been answered, but avoid this in a research-based paper!
•Reiterate main point/thesis
•Review the supporting points covered in the paper
•Keep it simple and straightforward!
Sample 3
THE DREADED
CONCLUSION
The Dreaded Conclusion
From the introduction:
[Dressage is one of the most physically demanding horse sports. Horses are judged on their
athleticism, grace, and mental acuity as they “dance” across and around an arena. Dressage
requires quick foot movement, transitions, and halts. Although it is a beautiful sport and art
form, it requires intense physical dexterity, and as such, subjects horses to many bodily
ailments. Many treatments have been developed to try to alleviate the pain central to these
ailments, from traditional treatments by oral medications and cortisone injections, but recent
studies have also shown that there are non-traditional ways to treat the aches and pains
associated with dressage horses, such as massage, acupressure, and acupuncture treatments.
Of these treatments, studies show that dressage horses benefit most from acupuncture
because it effectively relieves wither and back pain, joint stiffness, and improves their overall
circulation.]
It is precisely because dressage takes such a physical toll on a horse’s body
that effective treatments are needed to both prolong a horse’s quality of life,
both in the arena and in life. Although traditional treatments lead toward
medication as a cure-all, studies have shown that holistic treatments, such as
acupuncture, are even more effective than medication. Since a dressage
horse’s work in the arena creates stress on their musculature and circulatory
system, acupuncture’s unique ability to create energy movements, or “chi,”
throughout the horse’s body provides a more holistic and long-lasting
treatment and prevention of joint and wither pain, injuries that create
lameness, and poor circulation.
Tidying Up: Reference List
Reference List
 Double
check formatting, whether it’s
APA, MLA, or Chicago style.
◦ OWL at Purdue
◦ Check all source types used
 Double
check one-to-one correlation
with in-text citations!
oRun “Find” search for each of your reference
list authors/titles as authors.
oMake sure they come up at least ONCE in
the paper as in-text citations!
Questions?
Concerns?
Complaints?
Criticisms?
Please contact the Writing Center!
writing.center@briarcliff.edu
712-279-5520
Heelan Hall 050