Research Paper Building Blocks
Research papers have specific building blocks that make it a unique genre. The building blocks for a research paper begin with laying a solid foundation by selecting a topic that can be adequately researched. Selecting a topic is very important. Students must understand that completing a research project will require a large time commitment on their part, so selecting a topic that is highly interesting to them is crucial. After topic selection, students must write a research question. This is an important building block because it will be the basis for the paper. Students must formulate a question to begin their search for an informed answer. The search for and documentation of information are the building blocks at the heart of the research genre. Finally, after information is gathered, it must be organized through the use of students' analytical thinking skills and then written up in a research paper format.
Research Paper building Blocks
| Genre Purpose | To find an answer to your question |
| Building Block Features | 1. Selecting a topic that can be researched |
| 2. Formulating a research question | |
| 3. Doing the research investigation | |
| 4. Gathering all the information | |
| 5. Analyzing the research | |
| Genre Writing Techniques | 1. Point of view: It can be first person or third person |
| 2. Verb tense: Use past-tense verbs | |
| Genre Format and Voice | 1. Introduction or beginning: moving from general to specific and starting your research question |
| 2. Three different detail paragraphs with supporting concepts that have been analyzed and synthesized by the author, and answer your research question | |
| 3. Summary paragraph that restates your research question and summarizes the three supporting concepts | |
| 4. An interesting title |
Excerpted From:
© 2009, Allyn & Bacon , an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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