Tips for Writing an Excellent College Research Paper

A surprisingly large number of college students struggle with first year classes. In many cases this is because of a lack of writing skills or because they are intimidated by the idea of writing long papers. With the proper training, writing a good college research paper is not as difficult as it seems. Following a few simple steps can help any college student become a better writer.

The first step in writing a good paper is choosing a strong and appropriate topic. Often, the topic is assigned by the class instructor, but other times the topic must be chosen by the student. It is important to choose a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. For example, if a ten page paper is required and the chosen subject is the United States Criminal Justice System, this topic will be too broad to be adequately covered in only ten pages. The topic can be narrowed down to something like, Rehabilitation Programs and the United States Criminal Justice System. This subject can be more adequately discussed in ten pages.

After choosing a subject that is appropriate for the number of required pages, it is important to begin researching the subject. If five scholarly sources are required for the paper, be sure to find twice that many so you have plenty to choose from when you start writing. These sources should include arguments you intend to make, statistic that relate to the subject, studies done on the subject, or new reports related to the subject. Use caution when searching the internet to find sources; many instructors have strict policies on what sort of internet sources are acceptable. It is advisable to speak with your instructor about online sources before beginning your research.

The next step in writing a good research papers is making a well organized outline. To do this, identify three to five main points that you intend to discuss in your paper. Keep in mind how many pages your paper must be; more main points should be used for longer papers and fewer for shorter papers. Write these points in a column, numbering each with Roman numerals. Beneath these main points, add supporting points; this is where arguments for your position or details about the main points belong. These can be labeled with numbers or letters. Beneath these supporting points, list the research that you have collected that proves or develops each supporting point. Your first Roman numeral should be your introduction; this does not need supports, but often quotes or interesting facts are a fine addition. The introduction must include your thesis statement. The last Roman numeral will be your conclusion; this will include closing thoughts and a restatement of your thesis.

Use the outline as guidance for writing your first draft. Follow the points that are outlined, explain the points, and incorporate the supports you have collected for each point. Try to make the introduction interesting so that it will capture the reader's attention and make them want to read more. Remember to restate your thesis in the conclusion paragraph along with a summary of your main points. Following these steps will lead to an acceptable first draft.

The final stage in writing a research paper is proofreading and editing. The most important part of this stage is reading the paper yourself. You should read the paper out loud because hearing your writing is the best way to determine how it will come across to the reader. This step alone will improve your writing greatly. It is also advisable to have peers or writing tutors read your draft. Once you have completed these steps, make changes to your paper where you deem necessary. If it is possible, ask your instructor to read your draft and make comments as well.

Following these steps will improve your final draft considerably and will likely improve your grade. Writing a good paper is an excellent way to learn about your topic. Research papers don't have to be scary or intimidating. If you have had difficulty with writing assignments in the past it is probably not because you are a bad writer. It is more likely that you simply need some guidance. Follow these steps and you will be well on your way to writing better research papers and improving your grades in no time.