Research Paper / 307-^ Be sure the paper follows the organization established in the thesis sentence.
-^ Check for good paragraph development with clear topic and concluding
sentences and supporting details. [See Sample Revision for Specific Detail, as
well as the steps on checking paragraph structure, in Chapter 3, Revising.]
-^ Make certain you have included a sufficient number of transitions within and
between paragraphs. [See Chapter 3, Revising, Sample Revision for Transition.]
-^ Reread for good sentence structure and variety. [See Sample Revision for
Sentence Variety, as well as the section on checking sentence structure, in
Chapter 3, Revising.]
-^ Assure yourself that your subject is fully and carefully explained and is
supported by adequate research.
-^ Be sure the conclusion reiterates the thesis and adds an appropriate clincher.
[See also the general guidelines for revising any composition in Chapter 3, Revising.]
STEP 13: Revising—Preparing the Documentation
The forms of documentation will vary with the style manual preferred by the teacher
or school. Style manuals undergo regular changes, primarily as a result of electronic
media.
Preparing Notes
In this section, you find four common research paper styles. Parts of the sample
research paper are repeated to illustrate the four forms. These are
- MLA (Modern Language Association) parenthetical style: documentation notes
appear parenthetically, within the text. - MLA endnote style: documentation notes appear at the end of the paper, just
before the list of works cited. - MLA numbered bibliography style: documentation notes appear in numerical
form, parenthetically, within the text. - APA (American Psychological Association) style: documentation notes appear
parenthetically, within the text.
Use whichever form of notation your instructor requires; or, if none is required, use
the form easiest for you. In any case, be consistent throughout the paper. [For addi-
tional comparison, note also that the sample paper for English in Chapter 18, Biogra-
phy; the sample paper for workplace writing in Biography online at http://www.wiley.com/go/
wnwstudentwritinghandbook; and the sample paper in Chapter 40, Technical Report,
use parenthetical notes.]