Follow these guidelines in structuring your paper: Include an introduction that presents

Follow these guidelines in structuring your paper:

Include an introduction that presents
the topic, engages readers’ attention, and poses the research question as
its thesis.

Include body paragraphs that achieve
the following:

Feature evidence, drawn from credible
and relevant sources, that answers the research question posed in the
thesis.

Contain synthesized information from
at least three different sources.

Establish clear relationships among
facts, reasons, and evidence.

Contain correctly formatted in-text
citations to at least three different sources.

Include a conclusion that

Summarizes the major points of the
body paragraphs

Re-asks the research question posed in
the introduction

Answers the research question based on
the findings of the paper

Includes a works-cited page that

Includes at least three sources from
both print and digital sources

Use MLA format to correctly document
all sources

Supplies full source information corresponding
to all the in-text citations

In terms of mechanics, the paper should

Use formal language and an objective
tone.

Follow the rules for grammar and
usage.

Conducting Research

Begin gathering information on your topic by searching
online and print sources. Organize your sources and your notes. Create an
outline for your paper. Evaluate your research process for criteria such as the
relevance of your details and the effectiveness of your organizational plan.

Drafting

Write the first draft of your research paper, and remember
to save often. Use your outline as a guide. Keep your audience in mind, considering
their level of prior knowledge about the material. Synthesize your research by
making connections between sources. Make sure you provide sufficient, credible,
and relevant evidence to support your analysis. Use transitions and organization
to establish the relationships among your ideas and between ideas and evidence.
Include in-text citations and a works-cited page.

When you’ve finished the draft, you will share it with one
or more readers to get feedback for revision.

Revising

Revise your first draft. Review the feedback you received,
and decide which comments you agree with so that you can revise accordingly. After
revising, use online checklist to make sure you have done the best revision you
can.

Revise your paper for content, organization, and language. Check
for cohesion in your organization of ideas. Make sure you have used formal
language and maintained an objective tone throughout. Revise for clarity and
variety in sentence structure and diction as necessary. Double-check all
in-text citations and works cited entries for correct MLA format.

Proofreading and Publishing

Proofread your draft using the online checklist. Then submit
your final draft, as well as your planning documents.

Think of ways to share your
research paper with readers