How to Write an Academic Research Paper

• Use index cards to keep notes and track sources used in your paper.
• Create Work Cited cards for each source.
  • Include the citation (i.e., author, title, publisher, date, page numbers, etc.) in MLA format. It will be easier to organize the sources alphabetically when creating the Work Cited page.
  • Number the source cards.
• On each note card:
  • Use only one side to record a single idea, fact or quote from one source. It will be easier to rearrange them later when it comes time to organize your paper.
  • Include a heading or key words at the top of the card. 
  • Include the Work Cited source card number.
  • Include the page number where you found the information.
• Taking notes:
  • Use abbreviations, acronyms, or incomplete sentences to record information to speed up the notetaking process.
  • Write down only the information that answers your research questions.
  • Use symbols, diagrams, charts or drawings to simplify and visualize ideas.

• Keep a separate Work Cited file of the sources you use.
  • As you add sources, put them in MLA format.
  • Group sources by publication type (i.e., book, article, website).
  • Number source within the publication type group.
  • For Web sites, include the URL information.
• Next to each idea, include the source number from the Work Cited file and the page number from the source. See the examples below. Note #A5 and #B2 refer to article source 5 and book source 2 from the Work Cited file.

#A5 p.35: 76.69% of the hyperlinks selected from home page are for articles and the catalog
#B2 p.76: online library guides evolved from the paper pathfinders of the 1960's

• When done taking notes, assign keywords or sub-topic headings to each idea, quote or summary.
• Use the copy and paste feature to group keywords or sub-topic ideas together.
• Back up your master list and note files frequently!

Use one of these note taking forms to capture information:

• Summarize: Capture the main ideas of the source succinctly by restating them in your own words.
• Paraphrase: Restate the author's ideas in your own words.
• Quote: Copy the quotation exactly as it appears in the original source. Put quotation marks around the text and note the name of the person you are quoting.