Research Paper Structure and Objectives

(THIS SOUNDS BORING BUT IT IS USEFUL!)

So here is a cute puppy….

Your Research Paper’s SIX Objectives!

Oh nooo, SIX?!

OBJECTIVE # 1

• Clearly state your issue and explains its significance– Basically, tell me your issue and what the

PROBLEM is!– Your paper also needs to have OUTREACH to the

audience, let the reader KNOW why your issue is IMPORTANT

OBJECTIVE # 2

• Explore all aspects of the problem– Understand your issue! READ, READ, READ– Make sure you annotate and engage in the

research process FULLY– (DON’T JUST TRY TO TAKE INFO OUT OF YOUR

REASEARCH! Read to understand.)– You may only be putting a small amount of

information into your paper, however, you need to be an EXPERT on your topic before you begin to write!

OBJECTIVE # 3

• Explain the main causes, effects, and solutions of your issue– As an EXPERT on your topic you need to do the

following:• Explain CLEARLY the main causes of your issue • Also explain what these causes lead to.

– What are the effects?– How do they affect others?

• Then discuss the main solutions that people have proposed or are doing to solve the problems with your issue!

OBJECTIVE # 4

• Offer one (or more) feasible (realistic) and research supported solution(s) and explain your reasoning behind your choice– You are required to offer at least one solution

found in your research that you think is the best possible solution for your issue• Keep in mind, if you decide to write about more than

one solution you are committing to another paragraph

– For your proposed solution, your must offer 3 GOOD reasons (P2s) in your paper

OBJECTIVE # 5

• Use strong evidence/supporting details (P2s): anecdotes, facts, examples, and statistics– Anecdotes means short little stories or examples

that prove your point.• For example if you are arguing that a good solution to

stop drunk driving is to make a law requiring police safety breathalyzer stops at the beginning of all neighborhoods you could tell a story about how many drunk drivers were arrested one night when police officers decided to use this solution.

– Choose evidence/details that are STRONG!

OBJECTIVE # 6• Explain what readers can do to solve the problem (strong

outreach)– Make sure when you research you find practical ideas for your reader

to do to help solve the problem or at least reduce the problem– If your reader can see ways that they can get involved, this will help

make your paper more powerful because your reader will be able to relate and hopefully CARE• For example on a paper about teen crime your proposed solution could have

been to create more afterschool activities targeted toward these teens. • However, your outreach for your reader could be that parents should set

curfews for their teens in the evening and teens themselves should choose to come home before dark as this is when the most teen violence occurs. Therefore, teens will either not have the opportunity to commit teen violence or on the other hand become of victim of this violence.

Your Research Paper’s SIX Objectives!

1. Cleary state your issue and explains its significance (importance)

2. Explore all aspects (parts) of the problem3. Explain the main causes, effects, and solutions of your

issue4. Offer one (or more) feasible (realistic) and research

supported solution(s) and your reasoning behind your choice

5. Use strong evidence/supporting details (P2s): anecdotes (stories), facts, examples, and statistics

6. Explain what readers can do to solve the problem (strong outreach)

YOUR RESEARCH PAPER FORMULA

H.O.T + 3 PP + S.T.O.P

Basic Outline – H.O.T (Introduction)

• H.O.T:– H = Hook• One sentence

– O = Overview • Minimum of four sentences• Clearly defines the Problem• States why issue is important (especially to the reader)

– T = Thesis Statement • one or two sentences• Firmly state issue and its effect(s). Confidently state

best solution.

Basic Outline – 3PP (Body)• 3PP:

– 1PP = Causes and Effects• P1 = Topic Sentence• P2 = Causes• P3 = Effects about cause in connected P2• P4 = Transition Sentence

– 2PP = Possible Solutions• P1 = Topic Sentence• P2 = Solutions• P3 = Details about solutions in connected P2• P4 = Transition Sentence

– 3PP = Your Solution and Reasoning• P1 = Topic Sentence (Your Chosen Solution)• P2 = Reasons for Chosen Solution• P3 = Detail about Reasons in connected P2• P4 = Transition Sentence

Basic Outline – S.T.O.P (Conclusion)

• S.T.O.P– S = Sum-Up– T = Thesis Revisit

• Restate your thesis!• Two Sentences

– O = Outreach • Restate why important to reader • Things your reader can do • Details about people/organizations who are working on

chosen solution– P = POW!

• One or two sentences• Leave your reader thinking!

Some Differences:

• Only a few things are different!• Thesis = new formula! • A couple of things in H.O.T (Introduction), 3PP

(3 body paragraphs), and S.T.O.P are a little more SPECIFIC!– BUT we’ll get to that…..

Research Paper Thesis

• A thesis gives direction to your paper

• YOUR research paper thesis formula:–[Firmly state issue and its effect(s). –Confidently state best solution.

Thesis Formula examples:

• Firmly state issue and its effect(s). Confidently state best solution.

• Example # 1:– Pollution is causing the destruction of our oceans’

ecosystems and can be stopped by reducing the amount of plastic thrown away into our environment.

• Example # 2:– Global warming is a huge issue that is raising sea levels

worldwide. The best solution to stop Global warming is to make a law forcing all Americans to drive hybrid cars.

What’s Different about this Thesis?

• It can be two sentences instead of one!• State your Topic instead of your

Stand• Paper’s thesis is more SPECIFIC

What’s Similar about this Thesis?

• Still three main things about your topic to write about and structure the rest of your paper

• You are still taking a stand about your opinion but only in your last 3PP paragraph, instead of in all off your body paragraphs

Thesis Practice with Your Group

Firmly state issue and its effect(s). EX: Factory farming is inhumane and has negative effects on both humans and animals.

Confidently state best solution.EX: Factory farming should beeliminated and replaced with sustainable farming.

Practice # 1• Homelessness in Hawaii is causing tourists to

not want to come back to Hawaii. The best solution is to build new governmental housing for all in people in Hawaii who cannot afford their own housing.

Practice # 2• The issue of turtle abuse in Hawaii is leading

to a decline in the numbers of turtles that come to Hawaii each year. The best solution is to work to educate others, especially tourists, about the detrimental effects of turtle abuse.

Practice # 3• Highway littering causes many problems,

including huge costs to the government, which has to spend millions each year to pick up the trash left behind by motorists. The best solution to this problem is to increase the dollar amount of fines given to people who litter.

So now….

• We have learned about our Research Paper thesis, the BACKBONE of our paper.

• What does this tell us that we NEED to FOCUS on during our research? There are three things:– Causes and Effects– Solutions– Research about one solution (the solution you

thought was the best) • You will need AT LEAST three details about this solution

Structure for Research Paper

• Now that we went over the THESIS- the most important part of the paper, we will be continuing to go over how we are structuring our Research Paper as we conduct our research into these issues!

• Here is our Basic Outline!

Basic Outline – H.O.T (Introduction)

• H.O.T:– H = Hook– O = Overview • Clearly defines the Problem• States why issue is important (especially to the reader)

– T = Thesis Statement

3 Body Paragraphs

–1PP = Causes and Effects•P1 = Topic Sentence•P2 = Causes•P3 = Effects about cause in

connected P2•P4 = Transition Sentence

3 Body Paragraphs

–2PP = Possible Solutions•P1 = Topic Sentence•P2 = Solutions•P3 = Details about solutions in connected

P2•P4 = Transition Sentence

3 Body Paragraphs

–3PP = Your Solution and Reasoning•P1 = Topic Sentence (Your Chosen

Solution)•P2 = Reasons for Chosen Solution•P3 = Detail about Reasons in

connected P2•P4 = Transition Sentence

Basic Outline – S.T.O.P (Conclusion)

• S.T.O.P– S = Sum-Up– T = Thesis Revisit

• Restate the causes, effects, solutions, and YOUR solution!• Two Sentences

– O = Outreach • Re-state why important to reader • Things your reader can do • Details about people/organizations who are working on

chosen solution

– P = POW!