The Research Essay
KOB (with assistance from MPirbhai, English Department)
Research = the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts
and reach new conclusions
- Oxford English Dictionary, 10th Ed.
The Research Essay: to show an “informed” opinion or understanding of a subject.
Much of the information below you will already be aware of. So before introducing you to it, I will say a few
things about the type of essay you may write for this course.
To begin with, as there is considerable choice of topics, issues, events, people or ideas, it is best to introduce
exactly the type of topic you are choosing and how you intend to examine it. I will provide a few examples.
“The issue of abortion has troubled us for the better part of one hundred years. Today it is more complex
than ever before” Then you can explain the fundamental debate and its history, if you wish, provide some
background information and then explain its modern themes and how it gets debated.
Or you can choose to take sides. “Space travel deserves special admiration and consideration. In this essay I
will explain why I believe governments and the public should embrace it and encourage it.”
Or you can be more descriptive: “Our solar system has nine, some would say, ten planets. Many planets have
moons.” Well be a little less boring than that pleases.
Or you can feature a person or a group of people. “Pierre Trudeau is, to date, our most beloved and in some
cases, our most reviled former Primes Minister” Then you should explain why, in both cases.
Broad themes
You can also look at issues like the existence of God, or some other belief, such as Wicca (a subject chosen
this term).
Or you can look at an issue out of popular culture or recent history, such as a war, or a controversial practice
related to war or otherwise.
You can look at media coverage of a particular issue: advertising and its effects, body image, even politics,
or religion.
You can choose something particularly topical and controversial: The French ban of the hijab, which one
student will be examining.
In some cases you can expand on a theme we have already covered.
There are many different styles you can adopt. But I recommend you first pass it by me before going too
deeply into your research. Try to be as formal in your style as your topic suggests. And do not rely too
heavily only on your own opinion unless you are particularly advanced in that opinion. In that case, please
send me a sample of what you intend to write.
Here then are some of the more formal aspects of writing an essay. But you are free to structure the essay as
it best works for you. But never violate plagiarism and adhere to other formal guidelines much as possible.
Know who you are writing to and avoid informality unless the subject matter suggests it is appropriate. I
recommend a pamphlet available through the bookstore. You should also consult the section on the Vanier
website, in academic resources, that pertains to bibliography writing. I do not care what style you adopt, but
try to be consistent. In addition to the information provided below, and as seen from the point of view of an
excellent English teacher, you can consult many other texts on this subject, including the one on reserve at
the Library for this course called: The Informed Argument.
1. What are common sources of information for research essays? For our purposes, the best sources are
from Academic as we saw when we did the Lab on Proquest. But that does depend upon your chosen topic.
Some times it makes sense to look at what is going on in popular culture and in the media. So that might
mean looking at contemporary issues through specific individuals. Or is t may mean, depending upon the
subject and approach, examining how debates unfold in newspapers or magazines or even some times on
line. Journalistic studies; Interviews; Government Publications; Reference Material are also part of the mix.
2. Where can these sources be found? Books; Periodicals (academic journals); Encyclopedias;
Dictionaries; Electronic Databases; Newspapers; Magazines; Audio/Visual material; Internet. But first
choice is Proquest as it is one data base which we all have access to and it facilitates a search and it has
reliable sources.
3. What purpose should your research serve in your essay?
- provide “verifiable” information
- provide “proof” or “evidence” to support your opinions
- provide “valid” lines of reasoning
- provide “quantifiable” data such as statistics
- provide “context” (e.g., historical background)
- provide formal “definitions” of terms/concepts
- offer “informed” and “reliable” interpretations, explanations and opinions
- provide “relevant” insights and points for reflection
In addition, it can show your interest in a topic, issue or person. The idea is to show your interest in doing
research. As such, the more reliable the research the greater it shows your interest. Again, these are formal
requirements which or more or less applicable to your essay depending upon your topic and approach.
4. When does an essay rely TOO heavily on outside sources?
- When quotes, paraphrases and summaries dominate your essay
- When your voice/your style/your level of writing is no longer evident
- When your opinions seem secondary (i.e., when sources seem to “think” for you)
In this sort of exercise, you are asked, in part, to keep your opinion or belief in your essay. But it is not
required. You can write it in a voice that emphasises the scholarly or research nature or you can make it more
expressive. This does not apply to all research essays. But in this course it is permitted if it makes sense for
your topic.
5. How does one avoid being accused of “PLAGIARISM”?
A. When writing an essay that uses sources, assume that there are two realms of knowledge: “general
knowledge” and “borrowed ideas”
General Knowledge:
- Factual Information that is in wide circulation or easily found in numerous sources: biography,
geography, for example
Borrowed Ideas
- Anything that falls outside the realm of general knowledge is a borrowed idea that must be properly
acknowledged. Any original material by authors who are identified, or sources you are aware of, should
be acknowledged. Failing to do so undermines the assignment in several ways. It lends suspicion that the
work is not yours and it creates an unprofessional informal style when it is not appropriate.
B. Acknowledge all sources that fall under the category of borrowed material, be they direct quotes,
paraphrases, summaries or ideas.
6. How does one commit an act of plagiarism?
The following is an excerpt (duplicated material from a text):
Michael Ondaatje’s fragmented writing in Coming Through Slaughter stylistically echoes the improvised,
unpredictable music and actions of the main character, Buddy Bolden.
Plagiarism I (quoted material not acknowledged):
Ondaatje’s fragmented writing stylistically echoes Buddy Bolden’s music.
Revision (properly acknowledged use of excerpt):
Sally Smith has argued that Michael Ondaatje’s “fragmented writing . . . stylistically echoes” (32) Buddy
Bolden’s music.
Plagiarism II (borrowed idea not acknowledged):
Michael Ondaatje writes in a similar style to Buddy Bolden’s jazz music.
Revision (properly acknowledged use of excerpt):
Michael Ondaatje writes in a similar style to Buddy Bolden’s jazz music (Smith 32).
As you can see, it is sometimes just a matter of acknowledging the source with a simple reference to
information you will provide in your bibliography. In your bibliography, especially if you are using
Proquest, or other such databases, do not just cite Proquest as the source. Usually you are quoting an article.
It itself would have appeared elsewhere. Acknowledge that as well, first and foremost where possible
7. How does one acknowledge quotes, paraphrases, summaries and borrowed ideas in an essay? MLA
is a standard research method designed for the use of Humanities papers, which relies on parenthetical
references (the citation of authors and page numbers) and a Works Cited List.
1. If you mention the author before citing the borrowed material, simply cite the page number(s). See
revised version of plagiarism example I.
2. If you don’t mention the author, cite the last name of the author and the page number(s): (Smith 41).
See revised version of plagiarism example II.
3. If there are two authors, cite both last names and the page number(s): (Smith and Jones 32).
4. If you omit any material from a direct quotation, use an ellipsis. See revised version of plagiarism
example I.
5. If you add words into your quotation, use square brackets: “Michael Ondaatje’s fragmented writing
in Coming Through Slaughter [his second novel] stylistically echoes the improvised, unpredictable
music and actions of the main character, Buddy Bolden” (Smith 32).
8. How does one incorporate a quotation, paraphrase, summary or borrowed idea into one’s essay? It
is best to use the “Sandwich Method.” The Sandwich will consist of:
The Lead-in (identify the author and context: i.e., describe the general focus of the study or the particular
context in which the borrowed material is found)
The Quotation or Paraphrase or Summary or Borrowed Idea (the borrowed material)
The Analysis/Explanation (explain the significance and relevance of the quote)
Example of excerpt using the Sandwich Method:
In her discussion of Michael Ondaatje’s use of post-modernist techniques, Sally Smith argues that the
author’s “fragmented writing in Coming Through Slaughter stylistically echoes the improvised,
unpredictable music and actions of the main character, Buddy Bolden” (32). In other words, Smith suggests
that Ondaatje defies the standard rules of grammar in the way that jazz defies the conventions of music.
Note: the lead-in introduces us to the author of the borrowed material (Sally Smith), as well as the focus of
her study (the use of post-modernist techniques in Michael Ondaatje’s oeuvre). The last sentence explains
and elaborates on the quote: i.e., the relationship between this kind of writing style (one which bends the
rules of grammar) and jazz (an unconventional musical genre).
Works Cited:
“Research.” Oxford English Dictionary. 10th ed., 1999.
Stewart et al. Essay Writing for Canadian Students. 5th ed. Toronto: Pearson, 2003.