This document discusses the structure and process of writing a research paper. It covers the typical sections of a research paper - introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should provide context and an overview, while the body contains the main arguments or analysis. The conclusion restates the thesis and discusses implications. Choosing a good research topic is also addressed, noting it should be verifiable, interesting, and manageable in scope. Brainstorming different topic ideas from categories like people, events, trends and controversies can help identify a focus. Asking questions like who, what, when, where, why and how further narrows the topic.

1. Part 1: The structure of the
research paper.
Presentation made by: Pamela M. Veroy RN, MAN
Source:
Manlapaz, Edna Z. & Francisco, Ma. Eloisa. (2005). The new Anvil
Guide to research paper writing. Pasig City, Philippines: Anvil Publishing Inc.

2. The structure of research paper
• There is no difference
between an ordinary
expository composition and
a research paper in that
both are composed of an;
• -Introduction
• - Body
• - Conclusion

3. Introductory paragraph
• It runs approximately one-tenth the length of
the entire paper
• Provide the context and overview of the topic
• Discusses how you like to deal the issues or
subject whether you are;
• exploring
• arguing
• presenting facts and theories
• synthesizing the ideas of others

4. Continuation….
• Providing, proving or disproving a point
• Providing insights on the matter
• Or any other combination of ways
Note:
- Argumentative paper: the introduction usually
culminates in a statement of your paper’s
main idea or thesis
- Analytical paper’s introduction- usually tapers
off by giving the general direction that the
paper will take.

5. The body
• The longest section of
the paper
• The meat of the paper
• It can run for several
pages and provides
ample space for you to
make your case, either
to analyze or defend an
issue

6. The concluding paragraphs
• Usually summarize the
main points in the paper
• Reiterate the thesis
statement using
different words.
• It also contains some
implications and a
discussion of
consequence.

7. What is a research paper?
A research paper A research paper is not a
- Uses documentation - Piece of exploratory writing
-Acquaints you with a cross
section of materials - Personal essay
-analyzes, discusses, and
debates ideas - Reflection paper
-engage you in a critical, not
creative reading and writing
-Mere reporting of facts
and/or opinions
- Review of academic literature
-Library information hunt

8. The research process
• Step 1 – choose a topic and
gather background information
• Step 2 – narrow down the topic
• Step 3 – develop a research
strategy
• Step 4- evaluate and compile a
preliminary bibliography
• Step 5- take down notes
• Step 6- create a preliminary thesis
statement/outline

9. Continuation – the research process
• Step 7- Write the first draft
• Step 8- revise the paper
• Step 9- submit the paper
• Writing a research paper is a
process involving the 3 R’s
• Reviewing
• Revising
• Rewriting

10. The research writing
process diagram
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11. Choosing a
topic
• Factual & exploratory
questions
- This section, you saw the
distinction between an
analytical paper and an
argumentative paper
- Examine a concept by
breaking it up into parts
and exploring it critically in
order to come up with an
informed personal opinion
about it.

12. Continuation……(choosing a topic)
- When writing argumentative paper, start off
with an opinion about an issue or a concept
- Present both sides of the issue, you eventually
build up an argument favoring one side, using
evidence to back it up.
• Make sure that the topic you will choose can
be verified or supported by research.

13. Example topic
• What stereotype of women abound in the
telenovelas shown on primetime television
today?
• Seeks an answer than can be provided by the
techniques of the research and documentation
• You need to do the survey of telenovelas & the
role of women play in each of these
• Research on existing stereotypes of women play
in each of these
• Draw your conclusion after examining each
pieces of information

14. Another example of topic
• You will write an argumentative paper that
argues for the lack of laws to solve for
problems of software piracy in the Philippines
• You may need to gather information about
existing laws
• Describe the unbridled practice of software
piracy, etc., to support your stand

15. Example topics
• 1. Seeking answers to factual questions
• Ex. How were the Tasadays discovered?
• 2. Exploratory question
• Ex. Is the Philippines a matriarchal society?
• 3. Advocating a particular position
• Ex. Grade 7 should be restored to the
elementary curriculum in the Philippines?
- Note: you need to back these up by research
data and information

16. Which of these list of questions can be verified
by research?
• Are leaders born or made?
• Was Andres Bonifacio murdered?
• Do women make better president?
• Do black hole really exist in space
• Why are Filipinos hooked on telenovelas?
• Who is the most beautiful woman in the world?
• What is the intent of influence of the so-called
Civil society groups on political affairs in the country?
• Is euthanasia moral?
• Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
• Is there life in another planets?

17. Points to consider in choosing
a research topic
• 1. The topic should be of importance,
otherwise, it will not be worth the time &
effort you put into your research paper.
• 2. The topic should be of personal interest to
you, otherwise, you may not be able to
sustain your interest in it long enough to even
complete the paper.
• 3. The topic should be interesting & intelligible
to the general reader

18. Continuation…
• 4. The topic should acquaint you with a cross-
section of source materials (How can you
formulate a fair or logical argument if you only
know 1 side of it).
• 5. The topic should be relatively new and
recent.
• 6. The topic should be manageable scale, i.e.
it can be satisfactorily completed under the
conditions & constraints prescribed by the
syllabus

19. Brainstorming…
• Begin making a list of what
you know & what you are
interested of in the
following categories
• people,
• places,
• events,
• trends,
• controversies,
• developments)

20. No. 1 Brainstorming…
People Places Events Trends Controversies Develppments
-Gloria
Arroyo
-Efren
“Bata”
Reyes
-George W.
Bush
- MILF
-- Al Queda
-Afghanistan
- North
Korea
-Maguinda-
nao
-Iraq
- Manila
-Outbreak
of SARS
-Rising
Case of
AIDS in
Davao City
-F4 and
other Boy
Band
-Manga
“Anime”
-Reality
Television
--Pinoy Big
Brother
-Pinoy
Survivor
- North
Korea’s
nuclear
arsenal
-MMDA drive
to solve the
traffic
problem
- Maguinda-
nao
Massacre
- Visconde
Massacre
-Genetic
engineering
-Robotics
-Cloning
-Herbal
supplements

21. No. 2 Brainstorming …
• Choose an entry for each category and
identify interesting angles.
Topic Interesting angle
-Efren “Bata” Reyes Technique in playing billiards
- Afghanistan After the fall of Taliban
- Call centers The proliferation of call centers in the
country
- Reality television
shows
What makes them sell
- MMDA drive to
solve the traffic
problem
Legal or not?

22. No. 3 Brainstorming…
• - Check if the angle you have
chosen is researchable.
• Asking W-H questions
• Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? Are
important tools to find a focus or angle to
explore more thoroughly in your research.
Topic Important
to general
reader?
Interesting
to you?
Interesting
to general
reader
Verifiable
by a
variety of
sources?
Relatively
new?
Manage-
able?

23. Now you have chosen a
research title…
• We can move
forward to
Part 2:
Narrowing
down the
research
topic.