How to Research Papers
Posted on January 19, 2009
A good paper stands not only on enthusiasm. In academic writing even a good idea has to be supported by a deep research, otherwise it stops being academic. There are plenty of research paper “how to’s”, however you prefer to make the same mistake once in a while. Well, it is your option. If and when you finally decide to take care of your writing, here are our four steps to understanding the research paper “how to” question:
- Collect data.
- Process the information.
- Take notes.
- Decide on a thesis statement.
At this point, concentrate on how to research papers the best way. To gather information, use all possible and available resources. If there are books recommended in class, go through them. They will be your start. However, a good paper includes more than data everyone else in class is going to use. This is why go ahead and look through specialized journals, encyclopedias and other theoretical works available on campus.
You will surely find enough data to write more than a single assignment. If you are wondering how to research papers the right way, listen to our advice. Not all of the information found should be used in the paper. At this point, your task is to find the best angle to the question you research, and select only the best and strongest facts.
Now, once you know what data to use, write it down, and make a sort of note draft. This will help you navigate through primary and secondary arguments and form a good outline later.
Based on the facts you have (by now they should be crystallized), write a thesis statement that will unite everything you have found in theory. Make sure neither of your arguments denies this statement.
Working on Research Development
Posted on January 16, 2009
Depending on the type of assignment, research development can vary in size and time of work. Surely, you usually start with the simplest, research development for essays, and work your way to the most important assignment – a dissertation. But the point is – any research development has basic features you cannot escape no matter what your assignment is.
As research development is what any writing is based on, take time understanding what it is and how you should work on it.
- Any research development is first of all theory.
- No theory is worth a penny without its practical development.
- Somebody’s theoretical base and practical approach is good, but not complete without your own ideas.
Most usually, a teacher gives requirements, like using books available on campus, turning only to those no older than 15/20 years, etc. These works should also be checked, approved, acknowledged. They are what other researchers came up with before you jumped into researching. You are supposed to be familiar with them.
However, being familiar does not mean agreeing with all the viewpoints. This is what individual research development is about. When you realize why and where you agree/disagree with a certain point, you start evaluating critically.
Research development is not only about studying theory. It is about testing it on practice. It is yet another way to show why some theories work and some do not. This always makes research development stronger.
Since it is your research development, the first thing any experienced reader will look for is your interpretation of already existing ideas. No one is talking whether it is right or wrong as long as you can formulate a point and defend it. This is what good research development is about.
Power Keys to Writing a Literature Review
Posted on January 15, 2009
A literature review is always a big problem for students. The reason is that they do not completely understand the very gist of the task. This article will help you clarify what a literature review actually is and how to write it.
Literature Review: Definition
So, what is a literature review? What kind of information do tutors expect to find in your literature review? What do they mean when saying that a literature review is a complete failure? Let us explain this. So, please, be ATTENTIVE!
A literature review is a summary of the works published on a certain topic by other scholars and researchers. A literature review can be a separate assignment as well as a part of a research paper, dissertation, or thesis.
A literature review requires a deep analysis of ideas, theories, and knowledge established on a topic.
Try to understand the definition of a literature review presented, and you are sure to understand how to write it.
Book Report and Literature Review: Difference
One of the most frequent mistakes that students make is creating a book report instead of a literature review. Remember, there is a huge difference between them.
A book report requires a simple retelling of some book along with your feedback on it.
A literature review requires the following:
- Summary of what is already known;
- Areas of controversy;
- Questions that require further research.
How to Organize a Literature Review Read more
Basic Guidelines for a Problem-Solution Essay
Posted on January 14, 2009
A problem-solution essay is a common assignment for high-school students. Actually, it is not that difficult to complete. We suppose that your main problem is lack of experience in writing problem-solution essays.
However, several reliable guidelines will help you sort everything out and write an A+ problem-solution essay.
First, let us explain you the gist of writing problem-solution essays.
This kind of work boils down to identifying a problem (or problems) and suggesting solutions to it.
Two ways of completing problem-solution essays:
- Your tutor may give you a text devoted to a certain problem. Your task is to read the text, define the problem under discussion, decide whether some solutions are suggested, and write your problem-solution paper.
- You can be given a certain problem, which you have to consider. Then you will have to suggest solutions to the problem in your essay. You may be asked to propose a solution to different problems, starting from global ones, like pollution or endangered species, to more trivial, like problems with lockers.
Sometimes, you might have to come up with your own problem-solution essay ideas and cover them in the paper. In this case, think about the issues that you are really concerned with.
How should you organize work on your problem-solution essay?
There are just two major steps that you need to take. You have to make two lists. The first one will reflect all the problems that you want to consider. The second will contain all the solutions that you can come up with. Do not neglect making these lists, since it is the best way to organize your thoughts.
So, a problem-solution essay paper is not the most difficult assignment, but it can be really useful if you have problems you do not know how to cope with and solve.
Essays are the most common academic paper that looks might seem easy to writer. Our free tips will help you to get through any kind of essays. Still, if you are stuck on writing, you can always ask us for help! Read more
How to Make an Essay Cover Sheet
Posted on January 13, 2009
Well, the most difficult part of the task is over, and now you have to make your essay cover sheet. Here comes another challenge: how should essay cover sheets look like? At a glance, the task seems as easy as pie. Still, there are precise requirements for essay cover sheets, and you should meet them.
Unfortunately, we do not know what program you are applying to. Still, we can give you useful recommendations. So, consider our tips, and you are sure to make a brilliant cover sheet for your essay.
- Read the main requirements for essay cover sheets carefully
- Margins;
- Title;
- Pagination;
- Header;
- How you should present your name, your class name, etc.
- Examine an example of an essay cover sheet carefully
- Check your essay cover sheet several times
As it has already been mentioned above, your paper should correspond to all the requirements set by the program you are applying to. So, visit their official website to find information about:
Usually, there are samples of an essay cover sheet on the official sites of some programs and academic institutions. Make sure that the samples of an essay cover sheet you are going to use are not outdated. Otherwise, you will format your paper incorrectly. So, pay attention to the spacing used in the examples of an essay cover sheet, margins, and page numbers.
Format mistakes are definitely not welcome. They can result in a low grade. That is why before you submit the final version of your paper you need to make sure that your essay cover sheet is perfect.