The first step in writing any research paper is to understand the assignment. Before you begin writing, make sure you ask your instructor about any questions you have. Some details that are important to know:
- How long does the paper have to be (pages, number of words)?
- How many sources do you need?
- What kinds of sources are allowed (e.g. books, articles, websites)?
- Does your paper need to answer specific questions or be arranged in certain sections?
- What type of citation format does the instructor prefer?
- What other formatting details need to be applied to the paper (e.g. double-spacing, headings)?
- When is the paper due? Do specific aspects of the paper have different due dates or is the complete paper due on a certain date?
- What tasks are involved in writing this paper? – See Steps 2-6 outlined in the other tabs.
- How long do you think it will take you to complete each task?
- Create a daily and weekly timetable based on the due dates and how long it will take you to complete each task.