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Research Paper: Getting Started

Suggestions on how to get started writing your research paper.

Getting Started!

Getting started is the hardest part of writing a research paper. Research and writing take time, so get started early! One of the biggest mistakes is thinking you'll complete all of your work in one sitting. Take some time to sit down and read over your assignment before you jump in.

  • Read the assignment and rubric. Don't have a rubric? Make your own based off your professor's instruction! Create a checklist to use as you write your paper. Something like this:

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  • Put important dates in your calendar, and try and make a timeline for when to do your work:

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  • Need help creating a timeline? The University of Minnesota has you covered! Use their Assignment Calculator for help.

 

Choosing a Topic

Choose a topic that you're excited or passionate about. Were any class discussions really interesting? Start there! Brainstorm different topic ideas until you find one that appeals to you. 

Once you have a general idea, narrow it down until you create a thesis. Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) explains this process.

While you write and research, your thesis may change. That's completely normal and a sign that you are thinking deeply about the topic! 😀

Keywords

Once you have chosen an interesting topic, write down your research question or topic phrase. Underline or circle important words in your question or phrase and think about synonyms (similar words) for those words. These will become your keywords. Below you will find a helpful video from Utah State University that explains keywords in more detail.