Pick a topic that's useful or VERY interesting to you.
Do a little research.
Make a preliminary outline.
Buy notecards.
Take notes/make author cards.
Paraphrase as you go.
Adjust your outline.
Write your first draft.
Proofread and revise.
Hand in your most excellent paper!
Below is one wonderful method for organizing yourself and your research paper! It is not, however, the ONLY method! If your teacher wants you to try something else, well, hey, she's YOUR teacher, so do it!! However, I have found that the following approach earned me many "A"s in school, including college. If not today, some day, give it a try. It really works!
1. Choose a topic that will benefit
YOU. If your teacher lets you choose a
topic, make your choice carefully. Don't go
for the easiest one or the one your brother
did (and still has notes on -- somewhere).
Brainstorm topics that either interest YOU
or will help you learn more about a career
you are thinking about.
2. Do basic research before
committing to a topic. Check out the
web and the library right away. Make sure
you have enough resources to actually write
a paper on your chosen topic. If the topic
seems too big, narrow it down to something
you can handle well in one paper.
3. Gather some simple supplies to
keep organized. Find or purchase a two
pocket folder for storing teacher instructions
regarding your paper. Also, buy 3 by 5
index cards, and 6 by 8 index cards, to use in
note taking. You can also cut sheets of
scrap paper to serve as note cards.
4. Start right away. If a book you want
is unavailable in your library, you may be
able to order it from another. An interlibrary
loan usually takes a week or so. Starting
early also gives you time to get replies to
emails or snail mail letters requesting
information. Finally, starting early will leave
you with enough time to polish your final
draft and for any unexpected delays -- like a
computer meltdown! It's the old tortoise
and the hare story -- slow and steady wins a
good grade!
The Preliminary Outline
A preliminary outline is a tool. Something
"preliminary" is something you do before --
in this case, before much research. You
make it right after you choose your topic
and have done just enough research to know
what your topic is about. It will help you
build a great paper. Here's how. . .
5. Head a sheet of paper with your
title, followed by the thesis. The
thesis is your paper's purpose -- a one
sentence description of what your paper will
be about. For instance, "this paper will
describe the life of Benjamin Franklin and his
work as an inventor and writer." The thesis
must be simple enough be written about
completely in one paper, yet clear enough to
remind you what should or should not go
into your paper. Spend time writing a
good thesis. If you are having trouble, do a
little more research. DON'T SKIP THIS
STEP. You must have a clear thesis before
you start.
6. Keep it simple. Jot down a few
headings outline style. (See below.) Most
papers will begin with an introduction and
end with a conclusion. What are three or
four headings your paper might have in the
middle? Even though you don't know a lot
about your subject yet, you do know enough
to make a preliminary outline. All of your
notes will be linked to this outline. Writing
your paper will be easier because of it.
7. Change it as you go. As you learn
more, you will probably want to change your
outline and add subheadings so you can be
more organized. This is fine. This isn't a
paper for the teacher, remember, it is a tool
to help you organize your paper and notes.
