Understanding Research Essays
A research essay combines many of the skills learned from writing other types of essays. In a research essay, the writer must incorporate the ideas of others, analyzing and integrating information to support their own thesis. This type of essay can overlap with other essay formats such as literary analysis, persuasive essays, or cause and effect essays. However, it may also be straightforward, such as a research essay on a historical event. The key to a successful research essay lies in effectively combining original thoughts with evidence from external sources.
Thesis Statement
A tricky aspect of the research essay is that while outside sources are used, they must always be used in support of the writer’s ideas as opposed to replacing those ideas. This begins with the thesis statement. A thesis statement should never be a direct quote. In the course of doing research, the writer is likely to discover others who have similar ideas, but the thesis statement itself should be the writer’s thoughts stated in the writer’s own words. A strong thesis statement provides a clear, specific direction for the essay and makes a claim that can be supported with evidence.
Narrowing the Topic
In writing a research paper, it’s important to narrow the topic down and to know when to stop researching. Otherwise, the research can quickly become overwhelming. Rather than trying to write an entire research paper on the Civil War, for example, the writer may decide to focus on African American regiments. Research is best focused on recent work and on a few key books or articles on the topic. The most important books or articles can often be identified by noticing their recurrence in bibliographies or with the help of reference librarians.
Narrowing the topic not only makes the research more manageable but also allows the writer to explore the subject in greater depth. This leads to a more detailed and nuanced analysis, which is essential for a high-quality research essay.
Conducting Research
Conducting research involves gathering information from a variety of sources. These sources can include books, journal articles, reputable websites, and academic databases. It’s important to use credible and reliable sources to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the essay.
Primary and Secondary Sources
Research essays often rely on both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are original documents or firsthand accounts, such as historical documents, interviews, or original research studies. Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or critique primary sources and include books, articles, and reviews.
Using a mix of primary and secondary sources provides a comprehensive view of the topic and allows the writer to present a well-rounded argument.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using others’ words or ideas without proper attribution, and it is a serious academic offense. Plagiarism can be avoided by taking good notes during research that indicate where information came from and whether or not it is directly quoted and by citing all research. Research may be used in essays either in the form of direct quotes or as summarized information or ideas. It’s important to remember that simply rearranging a few words is not enough of a change to avoid plagiarism. Information that can’t be summarized in a writer’s own words should be quoted directly.
Documenting and Citing Sources
There are many different citation styles for acknowledging work from outside sources. Most of them share the convention of placing quoted material in quotation marks and identifying the source by author name or title of the piece. The specific information needed and how it is presented, however, will depend on the citation style. The most common citation styles for academic writing are MLA style, which is most often used in the humanities, and APA style, which is generally used in the social sciences. Writers should follow the conventions of the citation style assigned.
MLA Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in the humanities. In MLA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. A “Works Cited” page at the end of the essay lists all the sources referenced in the text.
APA Style
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is frequently used in the social sciences. In APA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. A “References” page at the end of the essay lists all sources cited in the text.
Integrating Research
In addition to writing well-organized paragraphs with clear topic sentences, the writer of the research essay will also need to think about how to integrate the research. Writers should avoid dropped quotes. This describes a quote that is simply dropped into writing without introduction. Quotes can be introduced by signal phrases such as “As Smith writes” or with a colon at the end of a complete sentence.
Whether the research used is in the form of a quote or summarized information, writers should think about using the information to support, develop, or explain their ideas rather than replacing them. Outside research should always be introduced with the writer’s own thoughts and followed by an explanation that demonstrates how the quote or information supports the writer’s point. It may help to think of research as something that should always be sandwiched between a writer’s own words and ideas.
Example of Integrating Research
Consider the following example of integrating research:
- Original text: “Climate change is a significant threat to global ecosystems.”
- Integrated research: “Climate change is a significant threat to global ecosystems. As Johnson (2020) states, ‘The rapid increase in global temperatures has led to unprecedented changes in weather patterns, affecting biodiversity and the stability of natural habitats’ (p. 45). This illustrates how the rise in temperatures is directly linked to the disruption of ecosystems.”
Writing the Research Essay
Writing the research essay involves several key steps, each of which contributes to the development of a well-structured and coherent paper.
Introduction
The introduction should provide background information on the topic and present the thesis statement. It should engage the reader’s interest and set the stage for the analysis that will follow. The introduction typically includes:
- A hook to grab the reader’s attention.
- Background information on the topic.
- A clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the thesis and provide evidence to support it. The paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea, followed by supporting evidence and analysis.
Example of a Body Paragraph Structure
- Topic Sentence: Introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
- Supporting Evidence: Provides quotes, data, or examples from research.
- Analysis: Explains how the evidence supports the main idea.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the paragraph’s main points and links to the next paragraph.
Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis in light of the evidence presented. It should provide a sense of closure and may also suggest directions for future research or implications of the findings.
Reviewing and Revising
Once the initial draft is complete, it is essential to review and revise the essay. This process involves:
- Checking for clarity and coherence.
- Ensuring that all sources are properly cited.
- Refining the organization and structure.
- Correcting grammatical and typographical errors.
Final Steps
After revising the essay, it is helpful to have someone else review it. A fresh perspective can catch errors and suggest improvements that the writer might have overlooked. Finally, ensure that the essay meets all the requirements of the assignment and is formatted according to the specified citation style.
Practical Tips for Writing a Research Essay
- Start Early: Begin your research and writing process early to allow ample time for revisions.
- Stay Organized: Keep track of your sources and notes to avoid confusion and ensure proper citation.
- Be Critical: Evaluate your sources critically to ensure their credibility and relevance.
- Seek Feedback: Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from peers, instructors, or writing centers.
- Revise Thoroughly: Revise your essay multiple times to refine your arguments and improve clarity.
Conclusion
Writing a research essay is a comprehensive process that involves careful planning, thorough research, and meticulous writing. By understanding the purpose of the research essay, narrowing the topic, conducting credible research, avoiding plagiarism, documenting sources, and integrating research effectively, students can produce high-quality, insightful, and academically rigorous papers that contribute meaningfully to their field of study.