How to Write a Research

Paper: 11-Step Guide

Writing a research paper can be challenging, not to
mention time-consuming. Follow these 11 steps to
write a stellar college research paper.

You've been assigned a research paper for a college

class — but where do you begin? How do you start
writing a research paper? What kind of research do you
need to do? And how should you set up and format
your essay?

Below, we introduce 11 steps to teach you how to write

a research paper that's bound to impress your
professor.

Step 1: Read the Rubric

Before you start your research paper, make sure to
read the syllabus or rubric first. Know what to expect
from this assignment. You should be able to answer the
following questions:

• When is the research paper due? Is there a specific

time it needs to be turned in by?
• How long does your paper need to be?
• Is there a minimum number of sources you need to
cite?
• What type of citation style do you need to use (e.g.,
 MLA, APA, Chicago)?
• Does your research paper need to address a specific
question or topic?
If you often feel your paper needs to be perfect before
turning it in, it's time for a mindset shift. Nobody — not
even your professor — expects you to write a perfect
research paper. Having said that, don't wait until the
last minute to get started.

Step 2: Organize Your Schedule

Once you've read the rubric, note in your planner or on
your calendar when your research paper is due. Then,
make a schedule so that you can accomplish this task
in small steps rather than over the course of one (likely
stressful) night. Having a plan in place can help you
feel better and write a stronger research paper.

It's best to schedule two days for each step of the

process. Getting your research paper done in a timely,
efficient manner usually takes about two weeks,
depending on the length of the essay.

Step 3: Choose a Research Paper

Topic
Your professor may give you specific research paper
topics to write about. Or, your research paper may
need to answer a certain question.

Before you begin, make sure you know what's

expected of you regarding the topic. Are you clear on
the question? Is it divided into parts? Do you
understand each part? Go back to the rubric or syllabus
to make sure you understand the parameters of the
assignment.

If you're free to choose your own research paper topic,

try to write about what you already know or something
that genuinely interests you from the class or
homework.

Step 4: Create a Research Paper

Outline
Outlining is a key part of crafting an effective essay.
Your research paper outline should include a
rough introduction to the topic, a thesis statement,
supporting details for each main idea, and a brief
conclusion.

You can outline in whatever way feels most

comfortable for you. Some students choose to
use bullet points and sub-bullets for related ideas,
while others may prefer flowcharts or visual
representations of their topic.

Step 5: Research Your Topic

Start by collecting a variety of resources that discuss
your topic. Look for credible sources such as textbooks,
videos, newspaper articles, primary documents, and
peer-reviewed journals.

The campus library is one of the best sources for

writing research papers. Make an appointment with a
librarian to learn how to utilize your school's online
databases. You can sort and filter content using search
tools like EBSCOhost to find peer-reviewed articles,
data, and journals.

As you read the sources you've collected, be sure to

highlight and add notes as needed. You might also
keep a running document of potential quotations and
data points to use in your paper.

Step 6: Start Writing

To start writing, simply incorporate content from your
outline into your research paper. Don't forget to include
citations, or where you got your information from. You
can use tools like Mendeley, Citation Machine, and Cite
This for Me to help with this.

As you write, don't worry about editing yet — just focus

on getting your ideas down. If you're a better talker
than you are a typist, you might consider using tools
like dictation to type out the text as you speak.

Step 7: Do Your First Round of

Edits
Once you've completed the first draft of your research
paper, it's time to start editing it. Besides using the
spell checker function, it's important that you take time
to read through your paper.

One trick is to read it aloud to yourself. When you read

your paper aloud, you can hear the words as they were
written. Doing this can help you find typos and identify
areas that may be confusing or sound awkward.

Next, create your bibliography. Make sure you've cited

all your sources properly, both within the text and in
the works cited or bibliography section at the end.

Step 8: Get Feedback

It's critical that you get outside help when writing a
research paper. For example, a peer can read over
your paper and offer feedback. You could also set up
an appointment at your campus's writing or tutoring
center.

Another option is to talk to your professor. A professor

or teaching assistant can offer you feedback on a paper
before you turn it in for a grade.

That said, don't ask for feedback the night before the
essay is due. Always give professors at least a week to
give you notes on your draft.

Step 9: Complete a Second Round

of Edits
After you get feedback on your research paper, you'll
need to revise it accordingly. Review the rubric one
more time and make sure you understand the
requirements. You should also check that you've met
each requirement.
Finally, be sure your in-text citations, bibliography, and
research paper format comply with the assignment
instructions.

Step 10: Submit Your Research

Paper
By now you've finalized your paper and are ready to
turn it in. Before you do that, though, check to see how
you're supposed to submit it.

Does it have to be submitted through an online portal

or emailed directly to your professor? Did you upload
the file and click submit before the deadline? Do you
need to print or bind the document in a certain way? Is
it necessary to print and place it in a folder outside the
professor's office?

Confirm that you know the specifics of how, when, and

where to turn in your paper.

Step 11: Reflect on the Process

When you eventually receive feedback and a grade on
your research paper, don't just stash it away in your
backpack and forget about it. Go through your
professor's comments and try to learn from them.

Feel free to ask your professor any questions you have

about the feedback they gave you. You can also use
this information in the future when writing other
research papers.