Writing a research paper usually causes anxiety among most students. With the tall list of processes to achieve a great piece, some students lose the fight even before the main battle. Some of them hire an expert research paper writing service and let professionals do all the work. Others are determined to do everything on their own, but they have no idea where to start. Although every university or department has its format for research papers, there is a standardized format that cuts across. Here is what to do when writing a research paper.

Difference between the research proposal and research paper

Before we go into the main topic, let’s discuss the difference between a research proposal and a research paper. The two may have the same structure/format, but the content may differ. The proposal is written to seek approval/funding for your research topic. It is meant to convince your tutor or audience about the relevance of the project. The research paper, on the other hand, is the project itself. It is where you demonstrate your knowledge on the topic, and it is the finished product.

Writing the research paper

• Be confident

You should display a high level of confidence when writing a research proposal. Show your prospective funders or professor that you know what you are about and the research you want to take could be highly beneficial.

Research

Proper research is key to every successful research paper. Doing proper and in-depth research helps you build confidence in your topic, give you a deeper understanding, brainstorm new ideas, and be sure about the information you are putting out.

• Organize your thought

Before you start writing, make sure you have organized all the information acquired through research. It helps you build coherence and focus on your writing. A well-organized material improves your writing skills, enhances efficiency, and reduces writing time.

• Thesis Statement

The thesis statement presents the focus of your research to readers. The one-sentence research statement in the introduction lets readers know what the research is about and introduces supporting points.

• The Outline

The outline of your thesis is how you organize the main points under subheadings. These subheadings are where the various information you’ve researched are placed. If the information you have doesn’t fit under any sub-headings, it has no place in the research.

How to write a research paper

• Introduction

The introduction contains the background of your research. It should have a strong opening, be engaging, and convince the reader of the paper’s essence. Your introduction should contain a hook to have your readers wanting to read more.

• The body

The body is where all your hard-earned research information comes in handy. It is where you support all the claims made in the thesis statement with facts and figures acquired through research. It should be coherent, and each point you make should have supporting arguments.

• Conclusion

At the conclusion stage, you summarize all the main points in your body, but with great emphasis on why you believe your thoughts are right. It is also ok to reaffirm your thesis statement at this point.

Edit your work

After writing your paper, go over it as many times as possible to look out for errors because no one wants to read an error-ridden piece. Look out for grammar, spelling and comprehension mistakes. You can use software like Ginger and Grammarly to make such corrections.