A Student's Online Guide to History
HOW TO RESEARCH A PAPER: GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A SHORT PAPER

1. Understand the topic or question. Thinking about the question is always the first step.

2. Determine which materials you will need to answer it.

3. From the relevant materials, take notes on any facts and explanations that have to do with the topic or question.

4. Examine your notes closely and compose a theme or thesis; that is, a principal idea or conclusion that your paper will support. If your sources have described the interaction of literacy and readership, your notes should reflect it. Poor note taking can lead to an unsound thesis.

5. Organize your paper by outlining it, first in your head and then on paper. What evidence do you need to support your thesis? What is the best way to present the evidence? In what order?

6. Begin to flesh out your first draft. Compose a paragraph (or more if necessary) for each of the points you wish to make.

  • Reasons for the rise in literacy
  • Evidence that such a rise actually occurred
  • Reasons for the growing popularity of newspapers
  • Evidence that circulation increased
  • Changes in the technology for printing newspapers
  • Changes in the format and content of newspapers
  • How rising literacy interacted with changes in the nature of newspapers

7. Weave together the paragraphs created in step 6 so that each point follows clearly from the one before it and that each adds support to your thesis. This is your rough draft.

8. Read and revise your draft. Question each sentence and paragraph to be sure that it is supported by your notes and that in turn it supports your thesis. Add, delete, or change your writing where this is not the case. (One exception is counterevidence: material in your notes that could be used to argue against your thesis. You should include some of this material and explain to your reader why you are sticking by your thesis.)

9. Write your introduction and conclusion. Yes, this step comes towards the end rather than at the beginning. Your introduction should explain your thesis, why you chose it, and how you plan to support it. Your conclusion is a brief restatement of the thesis and the principal evidence that led to it.

10. If the assignment asks for documentation and a bibliography, be sure that you know how to create them.

11. Read and revise your draft again. Add any important new material that you have not yet included. Let a friend read the paper and make comments. Check the writing for clarity, grammar, and spelling.

12. Type the final draft neatly, following any instructions concerning form that your instructor has given.