1. Turn a topic into a research question
Broad topics produce shallow papers. Narrow by population, place, time, or angle until you can ask a question that reasonable people could answer differently.
| Too broad | Narrower | Research question |
|---|---|---|
| Social media | Social media and college students | How does nightly social media use affect sleep and grades among first-year college students? |
| Climate change | Climate policy in cities | Which municipal policies have reduced transportation emissions most effectively in mid-sized U.S. cities? |
2. Write an arguable thesis
Your thesis answers the research question in one or two sentences and tells the reader what the paper will prove. It should be specific and debatable, not a statement of fact.
Social media affects college students.
For first-year students, social media use after 11 p.m. is linked to shorter sleep and lower GPAs, which suggests that colleges should include digital habits in their orientation programs.
3. Find and evaluate sources
- Start with your library's databases (such as Academic Search, JSTOR, PubMed, or ERIC) rather than a general web search.
- Prefer peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, and official data sources.
- Check each source for author expertise, publication date, evidence, and possible bias.
- Keep full citation details as you go, so the reference list is easy at the end.
When you have several sources, a short literature review helps you see where they agree and disagree.
4. Outline before you draft
- Introduction: context, the research question, and your thesis.
- Body sections: one main point per section, each tied back to the thesis.
- Counterargument: a fair account of the strongest opposing view, and your response.
- Conclusion: what the evidence shows, why it matters, and what remains open.
5. Draft paragraphs that analyze
A strong body paragraph follows a simple pattern: a topic sentence that makes a point, evidence from a source, your explanation of what the evidence means, and a link back to the thesis. The explanation is where most of the grade is earned; many papers summarize sources without analyzing them.
6. Revise, cite, and proofread
- Revise for argument first (does every section support the thesis?), then for clarity, then for correctness.
- Format citations in the style your course requires: see our APA guide or MLA guide.
- Proofread last, or have your draft professionally edited and proofread.
Frequently asked questions
How many sources does a college research paper need?
It depends on length and level. A common guideline is at least five scholarly sources for a 5 to 7 page undergraduate paper, and more for graduate work, but your assignment instructions take priority.
What is the difference between a research paper and an essay?
A research paper builds its argument mainly on outside evidence and cites it formally; an essay may rely more on your own reasoning and analysis of a text.
Can I use a model paper as a source?
Use model papers to understand structure and approach. Cite the original scholarly sources you read yourself, and write your own paper.