Writing Research Paper Masterpost *Updated*
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I know a lot of you guys are in college or high school, and as finals are closing in, I thought I might help with the paper writing process a bit. This method helps not only those with ADHD, but also those who may be intimidated by college level writing. I never got a B on any paper when I used this method.
This is a long post, which is why it's under a cut. Ready?? Here we go.
You start with the top picture above, and work your way through it involving all areas at once. I will provide examples.
First, outline your paper with the numbers 1-7.
[Image ID: A whiteboard with the following words written on it -
1. What is it?
2. How does it work/ what does it entail?
3. What is the benefit/ what does it provide to the topic of the paper?
4. What is the overall objective or support role?
5. Why is it important/ what does it do?
6. How does it relate to [topic]*
7. Example
Main Idea
Evidence
Analysis
Transition
--
What is it?
Is it in place?
Is it effective? /[End Image ID]
* The topic is the subject on which you are being tested. It is not the topic of the paper itself, but if you were writing a paper on innovative advances in technology over the last 100 years, you would want to relate your subject to that topic.*
You can use the above guide as a template for the entire paper, or even a paragraph, outline, or PowerPoint presentation. Also, it does help if you color code your paragraphs to match the outline. So, I'd you have a paragraph about "What Is It", color code that paragraph red! Then, as you go through your paper, and you need to reference "what it is" you can grab any sentences that are red! You can also color code your outline!!
Let's say the topic of the paper is “Innovative advances of technology over the last 100 years” and your subject is the advances of the telephone.
Outline Example [this can be simply words or sentences - it does not have to be good writing at this point. You are just looking for starting points and the basic ideas you want to convey through your paper. I use the basic What is it {for}/is it in place/is it effective usually for my introduction.
For example:
Introduction:
It is for communication.
It was invented for communication.
We wouldn’t have internet without it.
A telephone used to be hard to use, but it’s easy now.
Then, I use my basic introduction information to fill in the basic ideas of my body paragraphs. The introduction is basically an overview of your paper, so after the introduction you move into the 1-7 topic ideas (what is it, how does it work, etc.).
For example:
1. (What is it)
a. (Main idea) It is a device that creates connectivity to others in the world in ways not seen before 1876.
b. (Evidence) People are now able to communicate around the world instantly due to advances in telephone technology.
c. (Analysis) This is a beneficial tool because communication can be more effective.
d. (Transition) The communication methods originally developed by Alexander Grahame Bell have been upgraded and modified so that the internet can now be used on a small phone that fits in the pocket
2. (How does it work)
a. (Main idea) It works by using radio waves to connect lines and blah blah
b. Evidence
c. Analysis
d. Transition
And so on…
You can use "What is it" solely as your introduction topic, but I like to use the “What is it/ is it in place/ is it effective” as my introduction basis, and then use the rest of the guidelines to explain why the introduction makes sense.
Example of the paragraph structure:
Here is how to write your paragraphs off of the outline.
What is it?
The telephone is an instrument that was invented for communication over long distances [main idea]. The telephone has evolved into an essential communication method since its inception in 1876, and can now be found in nearly every household in the world (citation) [evidence of the main idea]. Without the telephone, the internet, mobile communication, and many other modern comforts would be unavailable today [analysis]. Using a telephone used to be a chore involving an operator, connecting facilities, and low-quality audio. However, modern telephones can identify a person’s exact location, which is especially useful in the event of an emergency [transition].
How does it work?
Emergency communication is one of many features the telephone has enabled [main idea]. The way this operates is by blah blah blah......
---
As you can see, I used the simple question What is it? to identify my topic and subject, and then I used the main idea, evidence, analysis, and transition as a guideline on how to develop the What Is It paragraph. This method can be done with all of the subject matter structures as listed 1-7.
You can also use the 1-7 topics as supporting sentences in paragraphs for more or less detail, depending on how long or detailed your paper needs to be.
You can also use the individual sentences in your paragraphs within the 1-7 topics (main idea, evidence, analysis, transition) as main ideas for further paragraphs. In other words, each sentence in your section 1-7 topic paragraph can also be a paragraph subject itself.
For example, from the What is it paragraph above, I have used each sentence as a new topic for a paragraph:
The telephone was an instrument created for conversations over long distances (topic). Before the telephone, telegraphs were the fastest way to communicate, and before that was letter writing (citation). However, the first telephone communicated only between two rooms (citation). [Main idea sentence broken down into a more detailed paragraph].
In 1876, the telephone was just a novel idea (Topic). However, by 1912, telephones were found on ships like the titanic. The telephone's growth became rapid after the 1920's, and was common in offices and homes by the 1940's. (citation). [Evidence of main idea sentence broken down into a detailed paragraph].
And so on.... Then, when you move from the What is it to How does it work, the same principle can be applied. There are many ways to branch out on this method, which is beneficial for many different subjects.
You can add or skip any section that does not make sense to your topic/subject.
It should also be noted that the main idea, evidence, analysis, and transition can encompass not only information within the paragraph but also the paper as a whole.
For example, you might need several paragraphs that enforce or explain the main idea, evidence, and/or personal analysis of your topic. But within each of these paragraphs, no matter what they are explaining or enforcing, you still need to acknowledge the Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, and Transition format. It's like a nesting doll.
All paragraphs require 3 sentences to be considered a paragraph, but 4-5 is better. You can accomplish this by breaking down long sentences into shorter ones. Do not use first person (I, me, my, our, we) or third person (you, they) unless you are explicitly asked to. Research papers don't usually do that.
If you have questions about this method or need clarification, please feel free to comment.
And remember you guys, DON’T OVERTHINK IT!!!!!!
