Writing concise, well-researched papers assures college success. For best results: choose a focused topic, do targeted research, take careful notes with clear attribution of source material, and write the paper using the correct format and guidelines from the appropriate style manual.

General Research & Writing Tips

• Start with an outline. Make a thesis statement based on extensive reading. Once the topic is stated in one clear sentence, create a structure to support the paper’s purpose. 
• Drafting an introduction at the outset clarifies the topic. Next, write a sentence to define each supporting point. Make notes of sources for each section. Write a conclusion, summing up the material covered, with all the supporting points proving the thesis. 
• Allowing plenty of time to do the research and checking over the first draft makes for a stronger paper. Thoughtful revision results in better writing. By planning ahead, and using a calendar to map out when each stage of the research and writing of the paper will be completed, the author can stay on track and turn in the best possible work. 
• Prevent procrastination by thinking ahead, and allowing extra time for each step. Preparing to finish the paper early will give a buffer against unexpected events or difficulties in the process, and assure a finished product of the best quality. Valuing the work shows in the completed writing.

Choose a Topic for Research Step-by-Step instructions from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

The Seven Steps of the Research Process A well-organized guide by Cornell University Library.

Planning and Writing a Research Paper University of Wisconsin handbook.

How to Write a Research Paper An instructor’s guide, with examples of titles and topics.

Research Paper Planner University of California Los Angeles Library assignment calculator shows when to undertake each step of the process, and provides online tools and sources.

American Psychological Association (APA)

This style guide is used primarily for social sciences, including criminology and economics, and also for papers in business and nursing. A paper in APA style includes a title page, an abstract, the body of the paper, and references. The APA guide details stylistics, format, citations, and provides sample pages of a research paper.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition Official site of the APA offers tutorials and Frequently Asked Questions.

APA Formatting and Style Guide Point by point explanations of APA style, from Perdue’s University’s free Online Writing Lab (OWL).

APA Overview and Workshop Also from OWL, a resource for working with APA stylistics, with sample pages.

Modern Languages Association (MLA)

This style guide, used for humanities, specifies the use of citations in parentheses within the text. Using correct form assists in creating authoritative work and protects the writer from plagiarism. It’s essential to cite sources for all materials used in research and to attribute quotations correctly and in the proper form.

MLA Formatting and Style Guide From Capital Community Collete in Hartford, provides a detailed guide on writing research papers using MLA.

MLA Citation Style  Color-coded guide for citations, by University of Long Island Library.