Research Paper

"I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else along the way."
—Franklin P. Adams, American journalist

Whenever you want to learn more about a person, an issue, a product, or an event, you use research skills. A research paper presents and interprets the information you gather through extensive study of a subject. This focused study of a topic helps you to explore and connect ideas, make discoveries, and share your findings with an audience.

Effective research writing

develops a thesis, which presents one or more key points or arguments about a specific, narrow topic
supports main points with facts and details gathered from several credible sources, including direct quotations
follows a clear pattern of organization that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, and smooth transitions between the parts
uses footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical notes to credit sources
provides a bibliography or works-cited list of research sources