Tricks to Write Better Research Papers
Many students find research papers writing stressful. It is not that difficult to write about a topic, but analyzing and looking for evidence to back up a main idea is a real challenge that turns into a nightmare without proper planning.
Surely, an “A” level essay requires determination, but it does not mean that you have to spend sleepless nights, crafting your essay. Even the best students get stuck with their assignments from time to time, but there are a few tips that might help you to write faster, more effectively and a little bit smarter.
Writing Tips for Research Papers
- Start early
It is a really horrible idea to start racing against the clock, so don’t wait till the last minute. Some students claim that a short deadline is a good motivation, but in fact it is more stressful. A short amount of time will take away the opportunity to write thoughtfully and revise and edit your writing.
- Come up with an idea
As a rule, a research paper purpose should be known before you start writing it. It can be a research paper question, a hypothesis or a thesis statement.
- Make an outline
It doesn’t have to be long and detailed, just follow this format:
- Thesis – your main point
- Body – main paragraphs to prove your main point with supporting evidence
- Conclusion – explain how your evidence supports the main claim
- Brainstorming
Write down any idea that comes to your mind. Keep writing and don’t pay attention to mistakes and details. Did you forget a date? It’s okay, keep writing and just let your thoughts flow.
Correcting Paper
When correcting your research paper, you should pay special attention to the in-text citations. Many students face problems with correct formatting, because there are different standards that seem to be difficult to master. The most common of them are APA and MLA.
Some formats allow writers to include footnotes, and the others don’t. Moreover, research paper writing often requires tables and figures, but some formats and standards prohibit including them directly into the text. Sometimes authors are required to enter them after the main text.
That is, you have to become acquainted with the differences between formats and consult the online guidelines or your professor to know for sure what standards to follow. Most tutors put lower marks to those students who make formatting mistakes despite the quality of research and writing they perform. So be attentive and careful!