10 easy tips to write a research paper from scratch

If you have been staring at your screen for a while now without an idea of where to start with your research paper, you have just chanced upon the right article! No, you are not alone – a significant number of students struggle with writing research papers, especially when they have to do them from scratch. Yes, you can learn how to write your research paper from scratch with the help of someone from professional academic writers or with the following 10 easy academic writing tips. 

Understand the task 

Understanding the task set for you by your instructor is key to delivering a good research paper. Ensure you thoroughly read the assignment and comprehend it before you start writing. As you read through the article, take note of anything you find confusing so that you can seek clarification from your instructor well in advance of the writing process. 

What is the main goal/objective of the assignment? What is the required word count? What are the formatting requirements? What is the deadline by which you need to complete the paper? How are you required to submit the paper? Jot down the main points as you read through, and then cross-check. It is also essential to consider the deadline of submission and the required word count so that you can come up with a realistic timeline to research, write and edit your research paper. 

Settle on a topic

Your instructor may assign you a research paper topic to work on but if you are allowed the freedom of choosing your topic, pick one wisely. First, you need to select a topic you are interested in, but this topic must be challenging. Choosing an interesting topic will ensure that you do not lose interest while working on your research paper, as you will continue to discover something new throughout the process. Try not to pick topics that are too simple or technical. The goal is to demonstrate that your paper took a lot of work without putting an unnecessary strain on yourself? Avoid general topics because such topics may not deliver a robust analysis. 

Carry out preliminary research

Take note of any academic discussions around the chosen topic. Think of issues that are most relevant to your case and which you can center your paper on. Ensure to use different reliable sources of information for your research. Have an open mind – do not focus only on justifying your ideas but also on sources that may contradict your perspective. Develop research questions to guide your research. 

Formulate a thesis statement 

Formulate a thesis statement that is not only concise but also coherent and contentious. The thesis statement should provide enough evidence to support your arguments. A good thesis statement summarizes your entire idea in no more than two sentences and makes a point to which the whole paper will be tied. You may need to revise and polish your thesis statement as you research, but it serves as a good guide. If you find yourself struggling with writing a good free to reach out to us for custom research paper writing.

Write an outline for your research paper

Create an outline listing your key topics, arguments, and evidence. Divide your outline into sections with headings to give you a rough idea of what your research paper will look like once done. Having an outline also helps you map out the structure of the paper well in advance, so less time is spent doing the actual writing. 

Write the first draft 

The first draft is not meant to be perfect – it is just meant to propel you forward. Organize and order your paragraphs and sentences to lay a foundation for your second draft. Express your ideas clearly. The best way to write the first draft is to start with the part that comes most readily to you; you need not start the introduction. Depending on what works for you, you can start with either the easiest or most challenging parts. 

Pay attention to paragraph structure

The paragraph structure of your research paper is crucial because it determines the flow of ideas. Every paragraph should focus on one main idea and discuss that idea as exhaustively as possible, backing it up with solid evidence. 

Write the introduction 

Your research paper introduction should answer the questions, what, why, and how? The introduction should tell the reader what the paper is about and why they should be interested. A good introduction explicitly introduces the topic of the paper and the background, and the key concepts. It should also answer why by highlighting the new insights you are offering in your essay. Finally, the introduction should map out the paper chronologically. 

Write a compelling main body

Many writers struggle with organizing the information they seek to present in the paper. Writing an outline at the start of the writing process is helpful, but an outline is only a guide, and you need to be flexible. Check your thesis statement and topic sentences for alignment. Check that no two paragraphs cover the same idea. 

Write the conclusion 

The conclusion gives the whole paper a sense of finality by tying all the arguments together. Go through the paper and emphasize how the ideas you presented support your thesis statement. The conclusion should also help the reader understand how your paper settled the issues you raised initially. Ensure that the conclusion does not address any new ideas or concepts. Do not write a more extended conclusion than is necessary. 

Conclusion

All in all, writing a research paper from scratch does not need to be complicated. Once you understand the instructions and select a topic, you can begin the research and write a rough draft for your paper. Next, you must develop a good thesis statement and create an outline for your article. After this, it should be easy to arrange your writing into the introduction and body, ensuring that you adhere to proper paragraph structure. The conclusion should embody the whole paper and not introduce any new ideas or concepts. Note that a good research paper presents strong arguments and supports these arguments using evidence.