PURPOSE OF BOOKLET
This booklet will provide you with a foundation for the process of writing a research paper and will serve as a style guide for assignments given by RHAM High School teachers. HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ADAPT TO THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE ASSIGNMENT MADE BY YOUR TEACHER.
A. Types of research papers:
- 1. Research Report. In the research report you summarize factual information about a topic, combining information from several sources. As in the expository essay, you do not become involved in expressing opinions about the topic.
- 2. Analytical research paper. In the analytical research paper you establish an opinion about a controversial issue. This opinion becomes the thesis, and, as in the persuasive essay, your goal is to convince the reader that your thesis is valid. Unlike the persuasive essay, the evidence for establishing the validity of your theses must come from research.
B. Research requirements and style
- You should also note that research style varies from style guide to style guide. If you learn to work with this guide, you should be able to adapt to any other research style required in or out of the high school environment.
For additional assistance in the actual writing of the paper, refer to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5 ed. by Joseph Gibaldi, which can be found in English classes, the media center and computer labs.
