9.6: Research Paper Checklist
- Page ID
- 15914
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
When you write an academic research paper, there are so many factors to keep in mind that it can become overwhelming. Often, students finish an assignment like this having overlooked an important requirement or two. This chapter closes with The Research Paper Checklist below, intended to help you double-check your paper before you make the final submission.
| Criterion | Check if Completed |
|---|---|
| Asserts a clear and interesting thesis that controls the entire essay | |
| Opens with an engaging and effective introduction, which provides background on the topic and writer’s position | |
| Is clearly and effectively organized | |
| Employs clear and engaging prose (prose that is not riddled with grammatical errors or awkward constructions) | |
| Provides transitions and explanations that help reveal relationships between ideas (develops coherence) | |
| Provides adequate evidence to prove the writer’s point (asserted by thesis) | |
| Effectively integrates outside sources, providing internal documentation according to appropriate documentation style | |
| Uses tag phrases (such as “according to Smith,” “Smith argues,” etc.) to indicate whose ideas are whose | |
| Incorporates minimal number of scholarly sources in the essay according to the professor’s instructions | |
| Avoids plagiarism by __indicating all quoted material (even short bits) with quotation marks and in-text source information and __providing in-text source information for all paraphrased and summarized material |
|
| Wraps up with a conclusion that effectively reiterates the point and/or urges the reader to action or change of perspective | |
| In Works Cited section, lists only sources that are mentioned in the essay | |
| In Works Cited section, lists all sources that are mentioned in the essay | |
| Follows field-appropriate documentation guidelines for Works Cited entries |