Effective Research Paper Writing Tips

Ch. 2 Linda Yellin

1. Content 2. Clarity 3. Conciseness 4. Elimination of slang, colloquialisms, trite expressions, and jargon 5. Tone 6. Bias free language 7. Spelling 8. Grammar 9. Uniformity 10.Format

Introduction The introduction tells the reader: what the topic of the paper is in general terms, why the topic is important what to expect in the paper. Introductions should: funnel from general ideas to the specific topic of the paper justify the research that will be presented later Introductions are sometimes folded into literature reviews

A research report has seven components: 2. Introduction an example

A sociological article, paper, or report generally covers only one important topic of interest and conveys evidence and interpretations of evidence. Research reports are NOT creative writing, opinion pieces, poems, novels, letters, musings, memoirs, or interesting to read.

A research paper has three sections: introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Headings created for subsections of papers body to make reading easier. Ideas they understandable? Do you need to add more information? Make sure every sentence says something necessary and important. "Juvenile delinquency is a social problem" is poorly written Ideas: Did you develop them sufficiently? Are

Order make sure paper progresses and orderly way. Check to see if the organization of your paper followed your outline. An outline helps you see where arguments are not supported by evidence Balance Supply sufficient evidence, but not too much. To support a point, use two good quotes, as opposed to five redundant quotes Order Balance

Emphasis Repeat major points for emphasis using different words. Don't make the reader do the work of figuring out how your paper progresses or what is important Transitions between sentences. Indicates to reader that you are shifting to a new idea, or highlights how certain material should be understood Emphasis Transitions indicates logical relationships

to Indicate Addition: additionally, again, finally, furthermore; to Indicate comparison: by comparison, likewise, similarly to indicate contrast: although but, conversely, despite, notwithstanding, nevertheless, nonetheless regardless, yet, on the contrary; to indicate concession: certainly, given that, naturally, undoubtedly,

to Indicate examples: after all, for example, for instance, such as, to illustrate; to Indicate location: around, below, beyond, to the north, to the south; to Indicate sequence: again, finally, first, second, third, moreover, next, to indicate results: as a result, because, consequently, therefore; to indicate time: after, as soon as, at that time, since, earlier;

To Indicate Repetition: as has been argued, demonstrated, indicated, as this paper has indicated, noted, stated as mentioned earlier, as noted earlier; as stated earlier; To Indicate Summary or Conclusion: as a result, consequently, in conclusion, in some, on the whole, therefore, to conclude, to summarize;

Read through document and eliminate wordiness. Make sure each word in your paper accounts. Get rid of the fluff, the filler, the useless words, meaningless sentences. in other words change to regarding; Wordy: beginning to learn concise: learns is able to start starts person of the masculine sex males

Slang: awesome formal: remarkable bash dude stinks party chap low-quality

Booze Trite Expressions law and order powers that be last but not least alcohol fail police officers flunk cops kids children law abiding the authorities last

When writing a paper do not use the jargon of your specialty area. Imagine the audience you're writing to be broader then just people from your field who are familiar with the jargon. Ex: the perpetrator people consciously break norms; the subject the arrested subject the collar ethnomethodology what happens when

Eliminate contractions: dont change to do not! Eliminate first person and second person pronouns I, me, my, mine We, our, ours You, your, yours Makes your sentences more formal;

Avoid terminology reflecting stereotypes based on gender, race, ethnicity, age, social class, disabilities, religion, family status, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. What is the matter with the term illegal alien ?

Don't use: man made manpower mankind manned forefathers assemblyman Congressman Do Use artificial, synthetic workforce, staff humanity, the human race staffed, handled ancestors member of the assembly member of Congress