1.  Select a Topic Find a topic that is interesting to you - This is important because you will spend a great deal of time on this project and you want to work with something that will hold your interest for the whole time. Narrow down your topic - The toughest part of selecting a topic is making it specific enough to allow you to fully cover the topic in the allotted size of your paper. Check the resources - You may find the perfect topic but you must have the resources to research the topic.  Before finally selecting your topic, check out the resources to see what is available. State your research question/statement - It is difficult to research a vague idea.  You need to specifically state your topic to provide a target for your research.  This could be written as a question: "How can technology facilitate learning with young children?" or as a statement: "The effects of the two-party election system on the  American economic status.

2.  List What You Know Begin by listing what you already know about your selected topic.  This will provide a beginning outline.  It will also provide some hints about what kinds of information you need to learn to complete your understanding.

3.  Start Your Reading Begin by reading general articles/digests/books to give you an overview of the topic.  Take notes (w/references) about the ideas/information that you didn't previously know.

4.  Review Your Research Question/Statement Now that you have a beginning understanding of the topic, review your research question/statement to ensure that it truly reflects the issues you desire to research.  Rewrite your question/statement if necessary.

5.  Write an Outline for Your Paper Structure your ideas for your paper into an outline.  Use the "Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, Tell 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em" format.  This means that your introduction should explain the purpose of your paper and identify at least three ideas that will be discussed (Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em).  The body of your paper should discuss the ideas in the order identified (Tell 'em).  The conclusion of your paper should tie together the ideas you explained in the body of the paper and draw any conclusions that you made.

6.  Share Your Outline with a Friend Remember that you are writing this paper for a reader.  What you might think is completely clear, may be confusing to someone else.  Test it on someone else and see if you have communicated what you want.  Don't just give your friend the outline, try explaining the outline so you can reflect on your ideas as you speak.

7.  Begin Writing Your Paper. The toughest part about writing it facing the blank screen.  Actually, your screen isn't blank because you have already created an outline of ideas.  All you have to do now is fill in the rest of the words. Introduction Don't worry about writing the introduction first.  Introductions are often not written until the rest of the paper is completed.  That way, the author can write it in a way to most effectively lead to the rest of the paper. If nothing else, your "working" introduction should have a sentence saying "The purpose of this paper is . . ."  You might find a more eloquent way to write it, but your reader should understand what you intend to do in your paper by the end of the first paragraph (or maybe second paragraph). List at least three points that will be explained in the paper. Body Use at least one paragraph to describe each of your points in the order they were listed..  A graduate level paper will more likely have whole subsections (with headings) that explain your ideas. Conclusion Tie together the points of your paper.  You have been writing about research that has been done by others.  This is where you have the opportunity to write your personal thoughts. Demonstrate how you have achieved the purpose of your paper.

8.  APA Format Don't worry too much about APA format until you have completed the paper.  You will have an opportunity to reformat the paper after you have expressed your thoughts.  It might be helpful, however, if you mind these hints as you write: Indent each paragraph. Insert citations as you use them (e.g., Smith (1998)). Place the headings where you think they go but don't worry too much about it until you have finished the paper.

9. Let it Sit Before You Submit Completing your paper the day before it is to be submitted is not always a good idea. Often you get caught up in the heat of your research and writing. Try to complete your paper a couple of days before it is due. This way you can "step away" from it for at least 24 hours. The day before it is due, get a a cup of coffee (or tea) and sit down to read your paper as though it was written by someone else. This will give you the editorial distance that will allow you to refine your paper with a fresh perspective.

Compiled by Dr. Leigh Zeitz This page was last updated by Dr. Z on 2/8/03