Many students find themselves having to write an APA research paper at least once during their college career. One problem that many of them face is having no solid idea on how to write the paper, whether they’re not able to come up with a solid topic or they are just suffering from writer’s block. One way to get around writing one of these time-consuming papers is to hire one of the best essay writing services for the assignment. However, for those who feel the need to tackle the project independently, here are the basic steps to follow.
- Pick the Topic
Some college professors will assign the topic for the APA paper, but sometimes they will leave it up to the student. Students should pick a topic that interests them. By selecting something of interest, the research and the writing won’t be as boring. Students often find the research the most interesting aspect because they learn new and exciting things about the topic chosen. Avoid choosing any topics that are too broad or too technical because that makes the paper harder to write.
- Spend Time on the Thesis
Before a student can start on the paper itself, they need to come up with a solid, working thesis. This is a crucial step in the writing process because it guides the entire research paper. It is also useful in keeping the paper focused on a specific topic. Students who are struggling with the thesis should consider hiring one of the best essay writing services to create one for them.
- Research the Topic
A large part of the research is finding credible sources for the paper. Students must find enough evidence to back up their thesis. During the research phase, students should be taking careful notes that back up their claims. The sources should always be documented using the most current style guide, including APA. All sources used must be cited to avoid plagiarism.
- Craft the Outline
Most students find they have several ideas floating in their heads after finishing up their general research. What comes next is organizing those ideas into a useful outline. Never skip over creating an outline. Crafting a good outline makes a huge difference because a paper tends to lack any kind of focus without one. With an outline, students have a step-by-step guide to follow when writing. Always follow the typical research paper structure when creating an outline:
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results/Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Write the First Draft
Now that the research and outline are done, it’s time to start writing the paper. When writing the first draft of the paper, always be sure to include the title, any citations, and the reference page. Students should always do a complete first draft. Take a few minutes to develop a title, as that is the first thing readers will see. The title will tell readers what to expect inside the paper.
Once the title is done, use the thesis and outline to work on the main paper. Begin with the introduction, then move on to the supporting paragraphs, and finish the conclusion. Once the first draft is written, it’s time to revise it. Revisions include proofreading for any errors and double-checking the flow of the paper.