Academic writing
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How to Write a Research Paper | A
Beginner's Guide
A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and
argument based on in-depth independent research.
Research papers are similar to academic essays, but they are usually longer and more detailed
assignments, designed to assess not only your writing skills but also your skills in scholarly
research. Writing a research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic,
engage with a variety of sources, and make an original contribution to the debate.
This step-by-step guide takes you through the entire writing process, from understanding your
assignment to proofreading your final draft.
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Understand the assignment
Completing a research paper successfully means accomplishing the specific tasks set out for you.
Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understanding the assignment task sheet:
Read it carefully, looking for anything confusing you might need to clarify with your
professor.
Identify the assignment goal, deadline, length specifications, formatting, and submission
method.
Make a bulleted list of the key points, then go back and cross completed items off as
you’re writing.
Carefully consider your timeframe and word limit: be realistic, and plan enough time to research,
write, and edit. You can also use tools like QuillBot’s Word Counter, which can help you track
the word count of your essay and other useful metrics for writing more concisely.
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Choose a research paper topic
There are many ways to generate an idea for a research paper, from brainstorming with pen and
paper to talking it through with a fellow student or professor.
You can try free writing, which involves taking a broad topic and writing continuously for two or
three minutes to identify absolutely anything relevant that could be interesting.
You can also gain inspiration from other research. The discussion or recommendations sections
of research papers often include ideas for other specific topics that require further examination.
Once you have a broad subject area, narrow it down to choose a topic that interests you, meets
the criteria of your assignment, and is possible to research. Aim for ideas that are both original
and specific:
A paper following the chronology of World War II would not be original or speci
