Articles
By: Rhona Gordon
If you've got a student in school, chances are he's got a research paper to do. This is the time of year when teachers generally assign such projects. And while your child might feel like the due date is far away, you can bet it will be here before you know it. That's why a plan of action is needed NOW! Follow the seven steps outlined below and you'll have the time set aside to help your child succeed with his paper.
The Seven Steps
1) Set a Schedule
The most important thing you can do for your child is to plan a schedule. Organization is essential. Sit down with a calendar and make a plan - a real schedule, specifying when each step of the research paper should be started. First thing to do is jot down the paper's due date. Then, working backwards from the due date, set additional dates for when you'd like to see a rough draft (allow at least a week for proofreading and editing), when the actual research should be completed (may depend on how large a project is assigned), and when you need a topic ready to be approved by the teacher.
2) Choose a Topic
When it comes to choosing a topic, be sure your child picks a topic he likes and understands because he'll be spending a lot of his time on it. Be sure he narrows his topic so the research does not gets out of hand, and be sure his teacher approves his topic choice before you move on to the next step.
3) Research
Many teachers require more than one source for a research paper. Starting online is terrific, but be sure your child prints out and saves any material he finds, so it won't be hard to find later. Your child should also leave himself enough time to visit the library, or order specific materials from organizations he finds online, because it could take a week or two to get material in the mail.
4) Take Notes
It's very important to take thorough notes while conducting research. Some students like to use note cards, using one card for each fact. Others like to use notebooks. If your child prefers to use note cards, every time a research source is used, be sure to have him list that source on the back of the card, using a code number or author's name. Keep a separate sheet of paper with a list of all the sources and code numbers too. This will save time when you get to the bibliography. If your child chooses the notebook method, have him use a separate page for each subtopic of his paper, and a separate page listing all of his research sources and codes. Whatever method your child chooses, note cards or notebook, be sure your child knows to put the notes in his own words, so there is no issue of plagiarism. Double-checking after each research session (by mom or dad) will help catch missing references early, which will also save time in the long run. Finally, remember to keep all of your child's notes and research material in one main folder or large envelope, making sure your child saves and catalogues only the material that is truly relevant to his topic.
5) Prepare to Write
If using note cards, arrange them by topic to form a visual outline. If using a notebook, try using bullets to organize information. Organizing your child's note cards or notebook pages with topic headings or reference numbers will make researching and referencing much easier.
6) Write
When your child begins his paper, he does not have to start with the introduction. It is often easier to write the body paragraphs first. The best way to get started with a paragraph is to have your child ask himself, "What is the main idea of this paragraph?" Then, have him use evidence from his collected research to answer the question. (A more detailed method for writing body paragraphs can be found in the book Thinking Organized, available online at www.thinkingorganized.com and in bookstores.) If footnotes or citations are used, it's a good idea to include the code for each source as it is used. That code can be replaced later with the complete source information. After the body of the paper is done, it's time to work on the introduction. Your child should start with a general mention of the topic he has chosen and then present the specific aspect that will be addressed in the paper. Next, he should introduce the main idea or thesis of his paper. The funnel structure explained in Thinking Organized is a useful tool when writing the introduction. In his conclusion, if your child is trying to prove a point rather than just provide information, the point should be written so that it is crystal clear to the reader. Then, your child should take that statement a step further and try to tie it into a larger idea, such as a world lesson, or why others might benefit from doing further research on this topic.
The final component of your child's research paper is the bibliography. This will be easy to do if the sources were listed properly as originally suggested in the research process. Make sure the bibliography format is correct by checking an
MLA source.
7) Edit and Revise
A good rule of thumb is to have the paper finished at least on the weekend before the paper is due, so you and your child can use the time to proofread and edit for mistakes. It helps to have another pair of eyes look at the paper before handing it in too, as sometimes another reader may spot something your child has missed.
Mission Accomplished...
And that's it! Follow these seven steps and your child should be rewarded with a super grade on his research paper. Who knows? That very paper could earn a special place taped on the fridge, or at the very least, seconds on dessert.
Rhona Gordon, M.S., C.C.C.
ASHA Certified Speech/Language Pathologist
Thinking Organized, LLC
www.Thinkingorganized.com
301-986-1503 office
301-986-1211 fax