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ENG 103 Research Writing Techniques

Research Paper Requirements Final Deadline: Thursday, 21 April at 11:59 PM Submission: Electronically via LMS Length: 2000-2500 Words Value: 20% of Final Grade Assignment Requirements: 1) Title Page; 2) Abstract + keywords; 3) Essay; 4) References. Title Page: Page Header/Running Head; Essay Title; Author’s Name; Institution. APA Style. References: All sources must be cited in APA Style. Formatting: APA Style. A4 paper; 1-inch margins; Font: Calibri or Times New Roman; Size: 11 or

12; Double-spaced; Indent the first line of each paragraph; Running Head: ESSAY TITLE flush left with Page Number flush right.

Research Paper Outline Introduction 1

 Hook (something to introduce the topic and grab the reader’s attention)

 Background (6 or 7 pieces of information about the topic; use the WH questions as a starting point)

 Research question (properly phrased in one sentence) Introduction 2

 Topic sentence to introduce the debate/controversy over the research question

 Two or three sentences to present an overview of the debate/controversy. Make sure to emphasize the importance of the debate and why it matters

 Counterargument 1 (quote rather than paraphrase; make sure to choose the counterargument carefully. It needs to be an obvious one, but also easy to dismiss and shouldn’t overlap with one of your own planned body paragraphs)

o Dismiss using a reason backed up by facts and/or statistics

 Counterargument 2 (quote rather than paraphrase; make sure to choose the counterargument carefully. It needs to be an obvious one, but also easy to dismiss and shouldn’t overlap with one of your own planned body paragraphs)

o Dismiss using a reason backed up by facts and/or statistics

 Thesis Statement (in one clear and short sentence; do not list all of your reasons) Body Paragraphs (Reason)

 Topic sentence (a single clear and short sentence that identifies the reason)

 Explanation (you need to clarify for the reader exactly what the reason is, and how it connects to your main argument. This could take from one to three or more sentences depending on how complicated the reason is)

 Evidence (in the form of facts and statistics)

 Examples (preferably two: one general and one specific. They can be either real or theoretical)

 Expert opinion (quote and make sure to introduce the quote by identifying the expert) o You must discuss the quote and present an interpretation of it for the reader. Make

sure to connect it to your reason and main argument.

ENG 103 Research Writing Techniques

 Interpretation and analysis o This is the part of each paragraph where you present your own opinion and

demonstrate your critical thinking skills. First, you need to connect together everything that you have presented so far in the paragraph to persuade the reader that your reason is correct. Then you need to demonstrate that your reason supports your overall argument.

 Concluding sentence o In one sentence, present a summary of your paragraph that ties everything

together. You may also provide a transition to the next paragraph. Body Paragraph (Case Study)

 Topic sentence (one clear sentence that introduces the case study) o It is usually a good idea to include a transition in the topic sentence of a case study

paragraph so that it is clear to the reader which reason (or reasons) this case study will illustrate

 Description o This section of a case study is where you present a description of the example. That

is to say, all of the most important facts. In some ways, it is similar to the background information portion of the introduction. Likewise, it will also probably be of a similar length (6 or 7 sentences). Think in terms of the WH questions.

 Interpretation and analysis o As with a reason body paragraph, in this section you present your own opinion and

demonstrate your critical thinking skills. First, analyze the case study and draw conclusions. Then, connect these conclusions to the reason (or reasons) that this case study is intended to illustrate. Finally, persuade the reader that this reason (or these reasons) support your overall argument.

 Concluding sentence o In one sentence, present a summary of your paragraph that ties everything

together. You may also provide a transition to the next paragraph. Conclusion

 A topic sentence that restates the research question addressed in your paper

 Restate your main argument (i.e. your answer to the research question, which is your thesis statement)

 Summarize the main idea of each of your body paragraphs in n