Wrangling the Research Paper

It’s research paper time again, which means lots of students with lots of stress.   Many students have not taken advantage of the step-by-step writing process that their instructors have provided, nor have they taken seriously the need to spend considerable time finding and culling through sources.   So here they are with the barest skeleton of an idea in hand with a lengthy paper due the next day.   One thing we can do is to help students take apart the assignment to look at the various pieces.  Most research papers ask students to select an issue with two sides.   Here are some steps to help students break down this large assignment into chunks.

·        Help formulate a clear research question:  “Should Harry Potter be banned from public schools?”   “Was the moon landing real or a hoax?”  “Should women in the Navy be allowed on submarines?”   Help students write in the frame of the assignment.

·        Help formulate and write down a clear position in answer to their question—this position is, of course, their thesis.    Emphasize the focus on following this answer only.

·        Help the student list points on both sides of the argument.

·        Help get students started on places to find research—start with the databases.  For most research papers, the Comprehensive selection is a good one with several good databases inside—MasterFile Premier, Gold, Opposing Viewpoints, etc.   

·        Provide the MLA tip sheet.

Students are shocked to realize that this assignment requires several hours of work between researching and writing.   Unfortunately, we are in the position to be the bearers of bad news sometimes.   Please remember that we are not here to be miracle workers, even if that is what the students want.  We can only do our best given the constraints of time that students present us with.   Just be gently honest and help students get to a place where they can take a next step, whatever that most logical step may be.     The last two weeks of the semester are usually quite stressful, but we always get through it.     (Check out the Office Yoga book for additional help.)