Let's begin with what NOT to do when writing your research paper.
- AVOID constructing the body of your paper out of a series of summaries. This is the most common error that writers fall into when first attempting a research-based essay: dedicating one paragraph to the first source, another paragraph to the second source, and so on. While it is true that you have been asked to find and use a few sources, simply reading and highlighting these sources is NOT the task at hand. Whether explicitly stated or not, you are being asked to synthesize sources. Simply summarizing your sources puts the emphasis on your sources and not where it belongs—on your thesis. Writing a synthesis is a different, more demanding, and more sophisticated task than writing summary. It is the blending of your own ideas with the information you have gathered from your research. In other words, the bulk of your paper must be comprised of YOUR ideas; quoting or paraphrasing sources needs only to act as support or evidence for the points you present. Remember: Make your sources work FOR you rather than allowing the writing of others to dominate your work.
- Avoid writing a thesis statement that is too broad or too narrow. The thesis statement of the essay is a sentence (or two) that presents the main idea and argument you are making to the reader. In the thesis statement, you are not merely trying to describe the material; you are taking a specific position that you will need to defend in your essay. The thesis statement acts as a guide for the writer and the reader. It keeps the writer on topic while it lets the reader know what to expect in the essay. Be sure your thesis statement is focused enough to act as a guide, but not so narrow that it limits your topic and your research.
- A thesis is too broad or vague when it cannot be proven in the scope of your essay and gives neither the writer nor the reader any direction.
- For example, consider the sentence “Deforestation is a problem on Earth.” As a thesis statement, the audience is left wondering where the writer will go from here (and it’s unclear if the writer knows). Additionally, there are so many possible reasons that deforestation is a problem that the topic would be better suited for a book than an essay. Answering a few “journalists’ questions” (who, what, where, when, why, and how) can help to focus the thesis if it is too broad.
- Revised: Deforestation of the Amazon rainforests should be an immediate global concern due to its harmful contributions to soil erosion, global warming, and earth’s water cycle. (This revised statement answers where, when, and why.)
- A thesis is too narrow when it is so specific that a thorough argument cannot be formulated, or it doesn’t allow for an exploration that lasts more than a few lines.
- For example, a thesis that claims “Dogs are the best pets because they can protect you” does not need more than a sentence or two of explanation (if any), and it certainly doesn’t require research as support. It is merely an opinion instead of a defensible position.
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Revised: Allowing children to keep a pet teaches responsibility, deters loneliness, and promotes the building of compassionate, trusting relationships with others. (This statement is more easily backed up with research and will take more page space to prove.)
A focused thesis that states a clear position will guide both writer and reader as to the scope and purpose of the research paper. Write yours carefully.
- AVOID uncited information from outside sources. Whether you are directly quoting, paraphrasing, or simply restating a fact or statistic from a source, you must give credit where credit is due. Citation protects you from plagiarism which, in most cases, will result in a failing grade… or worse. When in doubt, add an in-text citation and an entry on your Works Cited page or Reference page to be sure you are not guilty of academic dishonesty.
- AVOID dropped quotes or floating quotations. Quotations should not stand alone as complete sentences. Neither should they be “dropped” into the writing without context or explanation. Instead, use signal phrases and the “quotation sandwich” technique to give outside sources context and relevance.
- Signal phrases tell the reader where you got your information or evidence and establish the credibility of your source. The first time you mention a source, include the author’s full name, the title of the source, and a strong verb (like asserts, argues, considers, or states). In subsequent mentions, you may use the author’s last name only to avoid repetition. The following sentence demonstrates the proper use of a signal phrase (and citation):
- In his preface to Lyrical Ballads, English Romantic poet William Wordsworth, asserts, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility” (307).
This sentence uses the signal phrase to answer who (William Wordsworth), where (in the preface to Lyrical Ballads), and to establish the author’s credentials (English Romantic poet).
NOTE: When there is no author name available, use the full title of the source upon the first mention, and a shortened version of longer titles in subsequent mentions.
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- In a “quotation sandwich,” the quotation itself is only the middle component; it is preceded by an introduction of the idea or premise that the quotation supports or explores, and it is followed by an explanation of how the quotation exemplifies the point you’re trying to make with it. The following is an example of a quotation sandwich:
- Decluttering is not only a way to avoid an unsightly mess; it is also important for the psyche. A clinical therapist and the author of Head Space, Shea Beckham, asserts, “When we live with clutter, both what we can see and the clutter that’s tucked away in closets or storage, our minds live in a state of chaos and unrest” (209). It stands to reason, then, that removing the source of this unease can create a healthy sense of order and calm.
The first statement introduces the idea of clutter having an effect on the mind. The second sentence includes the quote itself, complete with a signal phrase and a citation. The last sentence gives relevance to the quote by relating it to the larger point: decluttering is beneficial to one’s mental state.
- AVOID beginning your body paragraphs by presenting quotations or facts from your sources. It is important to start each paragraph by telling your reader what point YOU want to make next. Begin your paragraphs with topic sentences that spell out one of the supporting arguments for your thesis. Then use material borrowed from your sources as evidence to illustrate or elaborate the point made in your topic sentences. Again, it is important that YOUR position (not the ideas of others) drives your writing. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence in your words that tells the reader which main point you intend to make.
- AVOID a structure that is too chaotic. When all the parts of an essay are in a logical order, it is both easier for the writer to put the essay together and for the reader to follow the main ideas presented in the essay. This is particularly true in a research paper, where the melding of one’s ideas with the ideas of others must be structured in a purposeful way. Students often write as they would speak or follow their own train of thought when organizing a paper. But this structure is hard for a reader to follow, so a stream of consciousness approach to your writing should be avoided. If you find your paragraphs going on for pages and pages, it's usually a good sign that you have NOT arranged your material for the convenience of your reader. Several methods of organization can be used to help you achieve this goal, but, in general, the method you choose should be dictated by your purpose and your thesis. The following is an example of how the thesis statement can aid in organizing your writing:
- Let’s revisit the “revised thesis” used above: “Allowing children to keep a pet teaches responsibility, deters loneliness, and promotes the building of compassionate, trusting relationships with others.” It stands to reason that the writer might move first to a discussion of how pet ownership teaches children responsibility, then to how it deters loneliness, and on down the list. If your topic is more complex and calls for background information, it would be logical to begin with a paragraph or two on your topic’s background in order to give the reader the context necessary to understand the discussion to follow. Whatever method you choose, be intentional in your organization.
Source consulted: BGSU.edu – English Dept.
