How can I get a better grade on my research paper?

Question

How can I turn my rough draft into an A paper?

Answer 1

Improving your grade on a research paper requires a combination of effective research, thoughtful organization, strong writing skills, and attention to detail. Here are some best practices to help you elevate the quality of your research paper and achieve a better grade:

1. Understand the assignment:

- Carefully read and comprehend the assignment guidelines, including any specific requirements or prompts.

- Clarify any uncertainties by discussing the assignment with your instructor or seeking clarification.

2. Plan and manage your time:

- Break down the task into manageable steps, including research, outlining, drafting, revising, and editing.

- Create a realistic schedule that allows sufficient time for each stage, considering your other commitments.

- Start early to avoid rushing and to allow ample time for revisions and improvements.

3. Choose a compelling topic:

- Select a topic that genuinely interests you and aligns with the assignment requirements.

- Ensure that your topic is researchable and has sufficient available sources for reference.

4. Conduct thorough research:

- Utilize various reputable sources, such as scholarly articles, books, and reputable websites, to gather information.

- Take organized notes and properly cite all sources to avoid plagiarism.

- Analyze and evaluate the credibility and relevance of the sources to ensure a strong foundation for your paper.

5. Develop a clear and logical structure:

- Craft a well-organized outline that outlines the main sections and supporting points of your paper.

- Ensure a logical flow of ideas by using appropriate headings and subheadings to guide the reader.

- Each paragraph should have a clear focus and support the overall thesis statement.

6. Craft a strong thesis statement:

- Develop a concise and arguable thesis statement that reflects the main purpose and central argument of your paper.

- Make sure your thesis statement is specific, clear, and well-supported throughout the paper.

7. Write with clarity and precision:

- Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively.

- Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

- Ensure proper sentence structure and coherence within paragraphs and between ideas.

8. Support your arguments with evidence:

- Incorporate relevant and credible evidence, such as statistics, research findings, or expert opinions, to support your claims.

- Ensure proper citation of all sources following the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

9. Engage in critical analysis:

- Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing and interpreting the information you present.

- Provide thoughtful insights and draw connections between different sources or perspectives.

10. Revise and edit:

- Review and revise your paper for clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas.

- Check for consistency in formatting, citation style, and references.

- Seek feedback from peers, tutors, or instructors and consider their suggestions for improvement.

11. Proofread for errors:

- Carefully proofread your paper for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistakes.

- Ensure proper formatting and adherence to the required style guide.

12. Seek help and feedback:

- Utilize resources such as writing centers, online writing communities, or tutors who can provide guidance and feedback on your paper.

- Actively incorporate feedback and make necessary revisions based on the suggestions received.

Remember, achieving a better grade on a research paper requires diligence, organization, and attention to detail. By following these best practices, you can enhance the quality of your work and increase your chances of earning a higher grade.

Good Luck & Happy Writing!

Answer 2

Sascha provides a lot of great information! I just wanted to add one thing: a good way to turn a rough draft into an excellent paper is to ensure your paper supports/proves your thesis (central idea). As Sascha mentioned, the thesis should ideally be in the first or second paragraph, depending on how long the paper is and the function of the introduction.

As you write, I recommend placing your thesis statement in the header that shows up on every page. As you develop your essay, make sure everything you write links back to and supports your thesis. This support can either be direct (using clear arguments, providing citations, etc.) or indirect (clarifying examples, narratives that demonstrate your point, etc.). Once again, the types of support you use and the means through which you support your thesis will change depending on the type of paper and the assignment. Your teacher and a tutor can help with this! Regardless of style, a great paper is one that clearly establishes a thesis statement, supports that thesis statement, and then reinforces that thesis statement in the introduction.

Answer 3

If you haven't started writing yet, begin by brainstorming potential ideas based on course materials or your own outside research, depending on what the assignment requires. Once you have those figured out, you should narrow them down to develop a central thesis (or argument) that answers either the prompt (question) that your instructor provided, or else answers your own research question. Your thesis should be clearly worded and specific, and should appear near the beginning of the paper, often at the end of the first paragraph.

Next, it's time to outline your paper, with an introduction, body, and conclusion and bullet points for each. Part of the body might include a literature review and/or a methodology section, or else it may all be devoted to pieces of supporting evidence for your argument. Be sure to structure the paper in a way that flows well, so that your argument develops naturally and the order of your points makes sense to your reader.

The third step is to write it out! Here, you want to make sure to cite your sources (either in text or with footnotes, depending on the style guide your instructor prefers) so that you know where your evidence comes from and you don't get disorganized later on. A tutor can help with this.

Finally, once you have a rough draft, you want to edit it for clarity. Here, you should avoid repetition, passive voice, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, overly vague statements, awkward phrasing, and errors in punctuation and grammar that will distract from your points. Read your paper out loud or show it to a friend (or a tutor!) to make sure it sounds/flows right, is formatted correctly, and that you didn't miss any errors. You may also check your paper against the grading rubric or criteria provided to you.

Each type of paper will vary somewhat based on the class and and subject, but these are the main steps!