Self Evaluation: on Writing a Research Paper - Essay Example

The topic and the style of the required paper should be absolute clear from the very beginning i.e. thesis-oriented, an evaluation-oriented, or a report-oriented paper. Whether information will be presented without any personal opinions, two arguments will be compared and contrasted, or cause and effect of some instance is discussed (Bailey, 53). Once it is determined, research can be conducted with the right frame of mind, and it becomes easier to focus on the relevant details, identify the collaborating points, and isolate facts for referencing.

After carrying out a thorough research, a rough statement defining the main argument of the paper should be formed, this will, later on, reform to become the thesis statement. This statement should contain all three crucial parts i.e. topic introduction, specific opinion, and supporting arguments (Moore and Cassel, 26). However, it should be a personal opinion, should introduce a new point of view, and could be backed up with provable resources. It is followed by formulating three main arguments which will be explained further, and would make up the body of the paper.

However, if an extensive research paper is required, thesis could comprise more than one sentence, and could be supported by more than three arguments. Creating an outline will be the next task, which involved division of paper into various segments, such as, opening, body, and ending paragraphs, and assigning appropriate weight to each part. However, if a specified format is already provided, it should be rigorously followed. After developing a prominent thesis and establishing supporting arguments, resources should be consulted again to isolate facts that support these arguments, and to highlight points that will be used for referencing.

Here, the key is to avoid getting caught up in all the available information, and straying away from the initial opinions. Instead, stay true to the predetermined thesis, and avoid including irrelevant information in the body paragraphs. If writing a research or a descriptive paper, every sentence should express a new thought and contain appropriate information. However, if writing a contrast and comparative essay, proper coverage should be given to both arguments. Under no circumstances, any point contradicts the original thesis, as it will cause confusion in the reader’s mind.

Each thought should be to-the-point, and should neatly tie with the opening discourse. At the end, the time comes for a proper conclusion and proofreading. The conclusion is what reader usually takes away from the paper. It should not only summarize the main points of the paper, but also mention how all the arguments are connected to each other and relates to the main thesis. Tying the concluding paragraph with the opening paragraph can also give the reader a sense of completeness. Also, ending the paper with a challenging question can also initiate the reader’s thought process and leave a crucial impact.

Lastly, no paper should be submitted without proper proofreading. Many educational institutes offer English tutorials and clinics which can be consulted for proofreading. The things to avoid are paraphrasing, redundancy, and rhetorical statements, and of course careful grammar check should be conducted. Before submission, professional advice can