I have a "mini" research paper due next week for Psychology. It's a short, simple paper (so nothing that takes weeks and weeks to prepare for) and I'm writing about Mood Disorders: MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) & Bipolar Disorder. However, I'm having trouble on how to actually "start" writing the paper. I need to start on the rough draft, but how would I go about that...? Please help!
Copyright © 2024 QUIZLS.COM - All rights reserved.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
First of all, don't procrastinate. This is what I'm doing right now on my own two papers due in two days.
My favorite teacher taught me a few tricks, so I pass the wisdom on to you now. It really depends on what you've done so far. If you've done nothing, start here:
1) REALLY focus on the specifics of your research. MDD vs. Bipolar is still too general. Are you only discussing the two different diagnoses and what they mean? Are you discussing different treatment options? Nail the specifics down first. And come up with some kind of working thesis (can't explain that here. a google search will help you figure out what a thesis is).
2) Do your library research. Your best friend is your reference librarian, but he/she is going to ask you what you are doing in step 1. There are some library sites that have a 24 hour chat line to talk to a librarian and they will send you links online as well as a transcript for your chat session. AND READ the articles you are citing.
3) Log every interesting article you may cite RELIGIOUSLY. If you are making copies of an article write down in your preferred format (MLA, APA, etc.) where you got it from. If you are doing most of your research on line, use a software program like RefWorks to import documentation directly into your paper all pretty and formatted.
4) Brainstorm like you do for creative writing. Write down your one-word theme and every possible linking thought or point to your paper. Let it flow without inhibition. Get everything out on paper.
5) Put on your editor mode hat and rank your thoughts that you've brainstorm. Toss out the bad stuff and keep your strong points.
6) Outline your thoughts: Simple outline here. The length and number of paragraphs dependent on how long your paper should be:
I. Introduction and thesis clearly stated
II. Strongest supporting idea to back up your thesis and explanation with examples
III. Weakest supporting idea to back up your thesis (the one you NEED to mention but not the most memorable idea compared to II and IV. (also include explanation with examples)
IV The second strongest supporting idea to back up your thesis (explanations and examples)
V. Conclusion: restate your thesis with a summary why you're right.
It's a snap right?
Hope I was clear on your paper. Let me know if I can help!
The best thing to do is to write an outline of your paper.
If you have the research done, you need to organize that information into a cohesive paper that supports your conclusion or argument. Start with figuring out what your conclusion or argument about the subject is.
Next, figure out what questions your conclusion inevitably forces the reader to ask. Type these questions out. Now, arrange them in some progressive or logical order.
Now, turn these questions into arguable statements. These will be your topic sentences. Now, beneath these topic sentences, bullet point for each what data you have to support these statements. Include quotations if applicable (and since it's a research paper, it should be).
And before you know it the hard part of the paper is done! All that's left is filling in the gaps!
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
How do you "start" a research paper?
I have a "mini" research paper due next week for Psychology. It's a short, simple paper (so nothing that takes weeks and weeks to prepare for) and I'm writing about Mood Disorders: MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) & Bipolar Disorder. However, I'm having trouble on how to actually "start" writing the...
Notes -> Outline -> Rough Draft -> Final Draft...
Typically.
Perhaps your question is more specific.
You start your paper with a declarative statement usually your thesis. The remainder of the paper is designed to support and explain that thesis. Don't forget to use a transitional statement to close the opening.
the first step to starting a research paper is to do a lot of studying the subject from as many different viewpoints and sources as possible
I would open you paper with an introductory paragraph. Explain what you are writing about (in this case, MDD), and write what it is and what you are going to cover in the paper. Then write some body paragrahs talking about the disorder and maybe list some examples or cases of it. Good luck!
You could start by saying that women bombarded with images of the perfect woman from the time they are little girls. Talk about how barbies and Bratz dolls are abnormally thin. Watch a few cartoons. You'll see that the "popular" girls are pretty and slender and the "bullies" or "nerds" are usually portrayed as ugly AND overweight. This gives the idea that overweight= bad, skinny= good. Good luck!!
APA styles papers usually start with an "Abstract", which is a summary of everything