Writing a Research Paper

Using Sources:

How to Write a Research Paper & Avoid Plagiarism

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research.

Research Papers

​No matter the subject, you may and be required to write a research paper. You have to understand what you will be writing about and where to find information that will help you write an awesome paper.

Research papers begin with teacher's instructions. Make sure you understand the assignment and instructions, and use the rubric!

• What is the goal?

• How many pages?

• Double Spaced?

• Due Date?

Starting a Research Paper

​If you are ever unsure of what to do, ask your teacher for clarification!!!

Teachers will give instructions on how to format your paper, but usually the format is five (5) paragraphs:

• Introductory (with claim)

• 3 body paragraphs

• Conclusion

Writing a Research Paper

1. Topic Sentence

• Introduces what the paragraph is about

• -Goes back to reason in the claim

2. Introduce Evidence & Context

• How it applies to your reason: "According to the text," "In the article, it states..."

  3. Evidence/In-text citations

• quote, paraphrase

Body Paragraph "Rules"

4. Explanation/Analysis

• Immediately state why the quotation is important

• "This means," "this shows," "this connects to"

5. Transition

   • Introduces the next paragraph or the next sub-heading

   • "Furthermore," "next," "in addition to," "additionally," "meanwhile,"

You will need sources to help support your ideas, thinking or debate.

Sources can help you locate new and interesting info, can help you define something, and can help you elaborate on concepts.

How to Research

​You can Google your research topic, ask a librarian, use a resource catalog (college), use AI, but only in certain ways!

​​Don't use Wikipedia. However, you may want to scroll to the very bottom of a Wiki page and use the sources listed there.

Multiple Choice

Wait... what is a source?

• something that gives you healthy energy, like whole grains

• the library and the librarians

• where the water comes from for an entire city

• a book or document that provides evidence for studying or writing work

Dropdown

We need to use sources in academic writing to ​

Select answer

.

​

Using AI (artificial intelligence) can help or hurt you. You MUST use it in the correct way.

It can help you get started and you can use it as a source.

HOW TO FIND SOURCES: AI

​Mrs. Talbert will demonstrate how to use AI responsibly to help support your research paper writing while maintaining academic integrity (AKA not cheating/plagiarism).

• Quotation

• Paraphrase (putting in your own words while given credit to the original writer)

• Summary

How to Use Sources

Multiple Choice

What is the missing word?

There are three main ways of using sources in your writing:

- quotation

- ___________

- summary

• paragraph

• paraphrase

• reference

• typeset