Structure of a Research Essay

All essays and research papers consist of three parts: 
  • an introduction
  • body paragraphs
  • conclusion.
The Introduction:
  • is the first paragraph of our essay
  • it is begins with a general statement about your topic
  • provides background information for your reader
  • concludes with the thesis (last sentence of the introduction)
The Thesis
  • is the last sentence of the paragraph
  • one sentence only
  • is a strong statement that you can prove
  • is the answer to your research question
  • is the controlling idea of the research and is a map to the route the research essay will follow
  • is specific and expresses one major idea about the subject
The Body
  • is where the evidence to prove the thesis is presented
  • is where the information supports or proves the thesis statement
  • this supporting information can be analysis, argument, evaluation, persuasion and comparison/contrast
  • the body of the paper is well organized with each paragraph consisting of a topic sentence, supporting and concluding sentences and a transition to the next paragraph
  • all support for your thesis, whether quoted or paraphrased, must be cited
Conclusion
  • this is the last paragraph of the paper and summarizes how your paper proved the thesis
  • restates thesis
  • leave the reader with a last thought (the “hmmmm” factor)
  • no new information is given in this paragraph.

IntroductionGeneral statement about the topic
 Background information for your reader
 Thesis
  
BodyFirst Paragraph – Main Point
      Supporting Details
      Supporting Details
      Concluding Sentence
      Transition
You can devote 2 or 3 paragraphs to each main point if you choose 
 Second Paragraph – Main Point
      Supporting Details
      Supporting Details
      Concluding Sentence
      Transition
  
 Third Paragraph – Main Point
      Supporting Details
      Supporting Details
      Concluding Sentence
      Transition
  
Conclusion
Summary of the main points used to prove the thesis Last thought (“hmmmm” factor)

*****Remember, the Science Research Paper needs an Abstract*****

Abstract
  • a self-contained, short, and powerful statement that describes a larger work.
  • abstract of a scientific work often contains the scope, purpose, results, and contents of the work.
  • is not a review
  • Contains key words found in the larger work
  • The abstract is an original document rather than an excerpted passage.
  • Is located after the Title Page and before the Introduction
  • is short and to the point – provides an overview of the essay