How to Write a Perfect Research Paper

If there is one assignment that is important to students and that generates fear is a research paper, particularly if it’s an open topic research paper.

Before we start sharing the tips let’s understand what a research paper is.

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is a type of academic writing that analyzes a perception or argues a point and then backed up by ideas from other sources.

Although most students fear this kind of academic writing assignment, it’s not a difficult paper. In fact, once you understand the steps to follow when writing a research paper, it can take you a few minutes to come up with a perfect assignment.

Well, of course, there is plenty of high-quality research paper writing services for students, so if you are sure you can’t deliver to the expectations of your professor, you can get help from professionals.

If you decide to take the bull by its horns, then you need to do extensive research to get a perfect research paper.

In this post, we have put together the actionable tips to help you write a perfect research paper.

So, without wasting time, let’s get right inside.

Research

First things first: Before you start writing do enough research. You can use the library. The library stocks a lot of books, journals, and other potential resources. You can also use the internet in the library.

Write down the important information you find in your research. Ask the librarians to help you in your research if there is something you can’t understand.

Choose a Topic for Your Research Paper

Sometimes your professor may assign you the topic but if you have the freedom to pick a topic, you need to choose one that you are interested in. It’s good to choose a challenging topic that will challenge you to research.

Try to avoid choosing a simple topic because you will not broaden your research skills. Also, avoid choosing a topic you are not interested in since you will lack the motivation to research properly. Pick a specific topic instead of a technical or general one.

Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement will guide you as you write your research paper, so write it before you start organizing your actual paper. Write a brief thesis statement that reflects the topic you are writing about.

Do not rush here because you need to write a research paper that has a clear purpose. So spend enough time to craft a strong thesis statement.

Gather Credible Sources

You need to back up your claim with reliable and credible sources. Ensure to find enough sources on the topic you are writing about.

Ensure to take your time as well, here. Assess all your sources, make notes and start writing the sources according to the citation style required for the paper.

Write an Outline

Once you have gathered your sources, write a good outline. We assume that you made notes when researching. You can use them to brainstorm where each topic will fit in well.

This is an important step that you should not skip. Put down the key points you will need to back up your thesis statement.

You can put them into subheading for the body of the paper. Organize information into sub-headings. Ensure each subheading has relevant information.

Remember, a perfect research paper has:

• A title page
• An abstract
• An introduction
• A methodology
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion

For a short research paper, you may not need to follow this format. You may only need an introduction, body, and conclusion. Just ensure to follow the guidelines provided by your professor. For essays, we would recommend following mla essay format.

Write Your First Draft

Once you have written a good outline, the process becomes easier. Get into the actual writing of your research paper by crafting your first draft. Remember, your outline is in point form. So you can start structuring your points into sentence and paragraph form expounding on each point. This will help the reader to understand the information you are trying to put across.

You can also research as you write in case you find some information is lacking.

Edit Your Final Draft

Once you are satisfied with your first draft, you can edit it to make your final research paper. Ensure to proofread your final draft to correct any grammatical and typographical errors and spelling mistakes as well. Also, make sure to use formal language and take care of your written expression.

That’s it. Up to this end, you have written a perfect research paper.

Good luck!