Good research is crucial, but it is also important for you to include your own observations and sometimes even opinions of the researched material. Otherwise the paper is just a bunch of facts strung together without any cohesion.
Now you begin doing research with a purpose and a direction. You read or skim books, excerpts of books, articles and Internet material. You look in indices and tables of contents to quickly find material that applies to the topic. The best way to take notes is to use index cards. Later on it will be easier to organize the notes. Write only one fact or idea per note card and document the page number and the author and/or title of the research material. You should take notes on everything you think will help you write the paper. If you don't use the material, you can always discard the notes. You should paraphrase as much as possible and reserve using direct quotes for material that is particularly well said or difficult to put in your own words.
Some research paper topics are assigned, but sometimes the assignment is very broad or completely open and up to the writer to choose. The topic should be broad enough to fulfill the paper’s length requirements, but not so broad that researching and organizing becomes a problem. For example, for a five- to seven-page paper, the topic of “The Peanut Butter Sandwich” would be too narrow, but the topic of “All the Sandwiches of the World” might be too broad. You would want something in between, like “Five Unusual Sandwiches and their Origins.”
If you have completed all the steps diligently, the actual writing of the paper should not be difficult or especially time consuming. At this point you should go through the note cards and put them in order according to the final outline. Then you can begin writing the first draft of the paper. Research sources must be cited even if the material is paraphrased. Use the citation style the assignment calls for: MLA for literary papers, APA for scientific research and Chicago Style for historical research. Examples of these styles may be found on the Internet. The appropriate style must also be used for the works cited page at the end of the research paper.
FInal Outline
Writing a research paper is a standard requirement in most high schools. Whether the topic is the Revolutionary War, the invention of the computer or the life and works of Emily Dickinson, any research paper can be tackled more easily by breaking the process down into manageable steps.
Often a research assignment requires you to submit a final outline prior to submitting the final paper. This is written in is formal outline style. For example: I. History of Sandwiches A. Origins 1. Earl of Sandwich 2. Duke of Rye B. Development 1. Pre-1620 in Europe 2. post-1620 in New World 3. Modern day a. delicatessens b. types of sandwiches
Preliminary research is done to find out how much information is available on the topic. If there is only one book written on the topic, a change of topic is in order. This is the point in the process when you check out books from the library, bookmark pertinent websites on the computer, and photocopy any other material not otherwise available.
A preliminary outline is a rough plan of what subtopics will be discussed in the paper. It may take the form of questions that will be answered with research. At this time, you develop a tentative thesis: what you want to say about the topic. For example: “Sandwiches are not as boring as you might think.”
Now you begin doing research with a purpose and a direction. You read or skim books, excerpts of books, articles and Internet material. You look in indices and tables of contents to quickly find material that applies to the topic. The best way to take notes is to use index cards. Later on it will be easier to organize the notes. Write only one fact or idea per note card and document the page number and the author and/or title of the research material. You should take notes on everything you think will help you write the paper. If you don't use the material, you can always discard the notes. You should paraphrase as much as possible and reserve using direct quotes for material that is particularly well said or difficult to put in your own words.
Good research is crucial, but it is also important for you to include your own observations and sometimes even opinions of the researched material. Otherwise the paper is just a bunch of facts strung together without any cohesion.
Writing a research paper is a standard requirement in most high schools. Whether the topic is the Revolutionary War, the invention of the computer or the life and works of Emily Dickinson, any research paper can be tackled more easily by breaking the process down into manageable steps.
Preliminary research is done to find out how much information is available on the topic. If there is only one book written on the topic, a change of topic is in order. This is the point in the process when you check out books from the library, bookmark pertinent websites on the computer, and photocopy any other material not otherwise available.
Preliminary Research and Outline
If you have completed all the steps diligently, the actual writing of the paper should not be difficult or especially time consuming. At this point you should go through the note cards and put them in order according to the final outline. Then you can begin writing the first draft of the paper. Research sources must be cited even if the material is paraphrased. Use the citation style the assignment calls for: MLA for literary papers, APA for scientific research and Chicago Style for historical research. Examples of these styles may be found on the Internet. The appropriate style must also be used for the works cited page at the end of the research paper.
Often a research assignment requires you to submit a final outline prior to submitting the final paper. This is written in is formal outline style. For example: I. History of Sandwiches A. Origins 1. Earl of Sandwich 2. Duke of Rye B. Development 1. Pre-1620 in Europe 2. post-1620 in New World 3. Modern day a. delicatessens b. types of sandwiches
Some research paper topics are assigned, but sometimes the assignment is very broad or completely open and up to the writer to choose. The topic should be broad enough to fulfill the paper’s length requirements, but not so broad that researching and organizing becomes a problem. For example, for a five- to seven-page paper, the topic of “The Peanut Butter Sandwich” would be too narrow, but the topic of “All the Sandwiches of the World” might be too broad. You would want something in between, like “Five Unusual Sandwiches and their Origins.”
A preliminary outline is a rough plan of what subtopics will be discussed in the paper. It may take the form of questions that will be answered with research. At this time, you develop a tentative thesis: what you want to say about the topic. For example: “Sandwiches are not as boring as you might think.”
For example, the following could be an effective hook for an argumentative paper about the environmental impact of cattle farming:
- What research gap is your work intended to fill?
- What limitations in previous work does it address?
- What contribution to knowledge does it make?
Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.
The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper. A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement.
Step 1: Introduce your topic
In a paper structured using the standard scientific “introduction, methods, results, discussion” format, this isn’t always necessary. But if your paper is structured in a less predictable way, it’s important to describe the shape of it for the reader.
Are cows responsible for climate change? A recent study (RIVM, 2019) shows that cattle farmers account for two thirds of agricultural nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. These emissions result from nitrogen in manure, which can degrade into ammonia and enter the atmosphere. The study’s calculations show that agriculture is the main source of nitrogen pollution, accounting for 46% of the country’s total emissions. By comparison, road traffic and households are responsible for 6.1% each, the industrial sector for 1%. While efforts are being made to mitigate these emissions, policymakers are reluctant to reckon with the scale of the problem. The approach presented here is a radical one, but commensurate with the issue. This paper argues that the Dutch government must stimulate and subsidize livestock farmers, especially cattle farmers, to transition to sustainable vegetable farming. It first establishes the inadequacy of current mitigation measures, then discusses the various advantages of the results proposed, and finally addresses potential objections to the plan on economic grounds.
- A hook to catch the reader’s interest
- Relevant background on the topic
- Details of your research problem
- A thesis statement or research question
- Sometimes an overview of the paper
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The conclusion should restate the thesis and summarize the main points presented in the preceding body paragraphs. On the whole, the research paper is based on the diverse views of different scholars and experts, but in this part you should give your opinion. If it isn’t a lengthy piece of writing the conclusion should be one or two paragraphs.
The body consists of paragraphs to prove your thesis. Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence, a concrete detail, and commentary. The point you’ll dispute or support in the paragraph is presented in a topic sentence (usually an opening sentence). A concrete detail can be described as specific information revealed during the research (for example, a direct quotation from a literary work if you write a paper on literature). Commentary is the most important part because you provide your analysis and assessment of the detail you’ve given. This is the feature that distinguishes a research paper from a report.
Introduction
Usually, research papers written by high school students consist of four main parts: an introduction, body, conclusion, and reference page. However, it is possible to split each of these parts into smaller steps. Everything depends on the established requirements for a particular paper.
The first paragraph is in fact the introduction. It should contain a thesis statement—a sentence which raises a question to be answered. In other words, it explains what your paper will be about and defines the main point to be proved. You can present it as a specific detail followed by a commentary (your argument). Remember, the thesis should always be an affirmative sentence, not a question.
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Most people do not write research papers for fun. So, in order to make this assignment easier on you, select a topic that you enjoy. For example, if the paper is for an English class and your favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, write it on that. If your favorite animal is giraffes and the paper is for a biology class, write it on the behaviors of giraffes.
Of course, not all research papers are the same. You may feel the need to combine your discussion and conclusion, or have the topic of your paper not be formatted as a question. Always look to your teacher if you have a specific question about the format of your paper, and if your topic is acceptable. Other than that, these steps to writing a research paper will get you on the right track!
If you are in a class that requires a research paper on something you’re not interested in, then at least write the paper on something that will benefit you in the future. For example, if you are in an economics class and have to write a paper, but find economics incredible boring, try writing the paper on how to make a budget, or current economic events in your country.
At this point, you have your question and are educated on the topic. The rest of the process should be easy. All you have to do now is show your professor that you know what you are talking about in an organized fashion.
2. The Question
Homelessness is an extremely pressing problem nowadays, which actually has always been a burning issue. It was first documented in America in 1640. Since that time, the number of homeless people has only been growing. According to various estimates, there are almost 650,000 homeless in the USA, while the NLCHP – the National Law Center of Homelessness and Poverty declares as many as 3.5 million. The reasons why such a great amount of people has once found themselves in the streets are variable. Natural disasters, like tornado and hurricanes and some other related catastrophes, have contributed much to that. Some people became homeless after being laid off from the job, losing their family, or surviving a house fire. So, nowadays, hundreds of thousands of people have no other option but to stay out in the streets, shelters, parks, etc.
- Unemployment is the main issue leading to homelessness. About 16% of US citizens live under the poverty line, meaning they fail to cover their everyday life expenditures.
- Personal or family crisis. Individuals having steady income may be kicked into the street due to an emergency of some kind, which arises in the family. Each unforeseen situation threatens housing loss for those people who live already in scarcity. It may actually be something like simple car towing, poor health condition, or the death of a family member. Divorce, being an expensive matter, also influences the earnings of each participant and may quickly spin a person into living rough.
- Unaffordable housing. In the USA, you are unlikely to be able to cover the expense of an average 2-bedroom flat anywhere around the country if only 1 family member is employed and paid a minimum wage.
- Demographics. There is little statistics for the young generation homelessness, so the term “invisible homeless” – is often applied in this case. Young people can easily hang out with friends and do not need any services, that’s why it's difficult to make accurate estimations in this age group. Approximately 8% of the homeless American population is constituted by unaccompanied young people and children 380,000 individuals are still under 18 years old.
- Substances abuse and problems with mental health. In 2013, every fifth homeless in the US suffered from chronic substance abuse. Altogether, such people made more than 130,000 US citizens. For this category of people, permanent supportive housing is vital, as they need to have a stable place where they can stay, combined with proper assistance and essential services to benefit from. According to an estimation made in the USA, about 20% of the homeless American population suffer from mental illnesses
All around the world, experts on homelessness have solutions they think will work best. Lately, the idea of “managing homelessness” has shifted to “ending homelessness” in the US. The state has focused on certain subgroups - veterans, “chronic homeless,” families, and the young generation. Such efforts may help to develop new partners and shape public information awareness of what is needed to end homelessness. So, let’s consider some effective strategies in fighting with homelessness issue:
- Analyze possible policies and measures which can help overcome governmental bureaucracies. Housing assistance, for instance, can help escape homelessness to young people who have grown out of foster care, or low-income people with mental illness who leave hospitals, or those individuals, who exit correction institutions. Such people can benefit from such services as job training or counseling. You may prepare an essay or a speech on this topic and present it to the interested parties.
- Donate your recyclables to the homeless collecting cans and bottles. It’s a win-win, by the way.
- Donate to local shelters, food drives, churches, or coalitions.
- Help the helpers - contribute to non-profits or other similar organizations that assist the homeless. They know how to spend your dollar with maximum efficiency.
- You can also help in shelters or soup kitchens in various ways and fundraise as well at your school or workplace! You can even organize a food drive yourself, and more than that, get involved in local policymaking.
Causes and reason of homelessness
So, here are the best tips for writing a research paper on homelessness:
If you have literally no idea in what direction you should move on, get acquainted with the following research questions. Perhaps, some of them will inspire you:
Being a critical issue, homelessness has drawn the educators’ attention. That’s why students often write research papers and essays about homelessness and its various aspects.