Do you find it
difficult to get started on a research paper? Not sure exactly where or how you
should begin? Unsure what the assignment is asking of you? Having trouble coming
up with a topic to write about? Do you have an idea what your topic might be, but
you're at a loss for where to go for information? Here are some suggestions
that may help you get started:
1. Understand the Assignment
A. When the assignment is given, take notes
on what your professor expects the paper to contain and the criteria that will
be graded.
B. If you have questions after the
instructions are given, don't be afraid to ask your professor to elaborate on
the requirements.
C. Read and re-read your assignment handouts and/or
notes. Search for and
highlight any key
words that might direct you in choosing a topic that will be interesting,
informative, and meet the general requirements for the assignment (paper
length, number of sources consulted and listed, intended literary stile, etc.).
2. Choose a Broad Topic to Begin
A. If your professor has assigned a topic, go
with that. If the topic choice is yours, consider different ideas that interest
you. Choose a topic you think has promise for an informative research paper.
B. Do
not worry if you don't know anything about a topic! The whole purpose of a
research paper is to discover new things about your topic. Often, a research paper
on a subject you have little prior knowledge of will turn out more objective, because it will exclude any personal opinion of
the subject.
C. If you have chosen a topic, but are unsure
of what facts you might include in your paper, browse some research sources to
get a general overview of the information available. Some common sources to
consult are encyclopedias, almanacs, periodical articles, and biographical
publications. Many of these will include bibliographies, which list other
possible sources of information related to your topic.
D. The Internet is also a great source for
information. You can visit any "search engine" website (such as
Yahoo! or Google), type your topic into the subject search field, and browse
the related websites it provides for useful information. However, it is extremely
important to use caution in making sure your Internet sources are reliable! If you can, stick to
web sources with reputable names (for example: the website for Encyclopedia
Britannica or The New York Times). If you find information
you feel will be useful, but are not sure about the legitimacy of the source, ask
your instructor. Also, library has searchable online databases
containing articles and statistics. Details
are available in the library.
Once you have
investigated your topic, get a feel for what you might want to present in your
research paper by asking yourself: "Would this topic, supported by the information
I have gathered, be interesting and informative to my instructor, my peers, or
anyone else with whom I am trying to communicate my research?" If your
answer is yes, you are ready to narrow your broad topic. See the
Information adapted from: Hamid,
Sarah. Writing a Research Paper. OWL at