Writing an Analytical Research Paper

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Writing an Analytical Research Paper
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Analytical Research Paper

• The Basics of an English Research Paper
• A well-constructed research paper properly
  synthesizes the writer's views with the outside
  perspectives and critiques of other authors.
  Emphasizing both the author's original insights
  and the interpretations of respected
  supplementary sources, it should ultimately be an
  expression of the writer's inquiry into a
  specific topic of interest.
• About The Genre
• A research paper demands the author invest time
  and thought in analyzing outside sources in order
  to forge his or her own unique vision of the text
  or to shed new light on past interpretations. A
  research paper does NOT consist of the writer
  merely rewording or recontextualizing the
  thoughts of other authors, but rather must
  include the writer's own thoughts and reflections
  on different perspectives. The goal of the writer
  is to ENGAGE sources and not to simply RESTATE
  other interpretations. Therefore, it is neither
  necessary nor beneficial to only include
  perspectives which are in agreement with your
  own.
• Your making a new interpretation and providing
  more insight on the text.

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• The Analytical Research Paper
• Research papers are generally designated into two
  distinctive categories the argumentative
  research paper and the analytical research paper.
  The specific expectations and demands of the
  analytical research paper are as follows
• The analytical research paper typically begins
  with the author posing a research question.
• The author should hold off on explicitly stating
  his or her interpretation until the topic has
  been sufficiently discussed in terms of its
  varied implications.
• In contrast to the argumentative research paper,
  the analytical research paper is a practice in
  exploration and reflection, rather than a
  concisely outlined perspective on a contentious
  issue.
• The author's thoughtful inquiry into the research
  question should ultimately conclude with the
  creation of the author's own, unqiue perspective
  on the topic. His or perspective need not refute
  or stand in opposition to other readings, but
  rather shed light on other interpretations or
  offer a new means by which to understand the
  topic under inquiry.
• The author will typically develop his or her
  thesis statement throughout the course of
  researching and writing the paper. It is to the
  writer's benefit to enter the research paper
  writing process without a predetermined stance
  and to remain open to the possibility of changing
  his or her interpretation and thesis several
  times throughout the process. Listed below is an
  example of a typical research question and
  author's interpretation to the question under
  consideration.

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Example Prompt

• Example
• Possible Research Question How should one
  interpret and respond to Christina Rossetti's
  poem "Goblin Market?"
• Possible Author's Interpretation Although
  Christina Rossetti's poem "Goblin Market" is
  typically viewed as a poem reflecting on the
  dangerous implications of the material world on
  morality and, more specifically, female chastity,
  it can also be read as an expression of
  Rossetti's adamant belief that the female should
  be viewed as both a wholly erotic and spiritual
  being.

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Choosing an Area of Focus

• Before narrowing your focus to a specific claim
  or interpretation, conduct research in order to
  gain an understanding of what other individuals
  have said about the topic. Most students find it
  useful to examine a wide range of sources before
  deciding on a specific area of focus.
• Select a topic you feel equipped to handle. Avoid
  topics that are (1) too general- try to be
  specific about what you seek to investigate, (2)
  too specialized- remain mindful of the
  preexisting knowledge you possess, in choosing an
  overly specialized topic you may find you are not
  qualified to discuss some of the material, (3)
  not worth arguing- a reasearch paper should
  always make some sort of central claim and your
  topic should therefore enable you to make a
  clear, concise claim.

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Conducting Research

• This is perhaps the most important step in the
  research paper writing process. Your research not
  only provides you ethos as a writer by revealing
  your knowledge and understanding of the topic,
  but also will very likely shape both your
  understanding and interpretation of the topic.
  Listed below are several important tips for
  conducting research and notetaking
• In order to avoid later confusion, begin each
  section by recording the author's name, book or
  article title, and page numbers (if relevant).
• As you examine each source, record important or
  unique notions which you may wish to incorporate
  within your paper. Make certain to outline the
  general arguments of each source by including a
  descriptive heading after the citation. This will
  aid you in more quickly and easily distinguishing
  between sources in the future. Additionally, it
  may be useful to group sources into categories
  based on more refined topics.
• In order to diminish the risk of plagiarizing, do
  NOT directly lift phrasing or entire segments of
  the text from sources without properly indicating
  that you have done so. If you find it necessary
  to directly quote an author, clearly indicate
  what has been copied from the author and record
  the page number on which this information can be
  found.
• Remain critical of your sources Do not assume
  that an idea or criticism is valid, because it
  appears in the argument of a single critic or
  even multiple critics. It is important to remain
  criticial of your sources and their
  interpretations. Additionally, it is not
  necessary to exclude a source with whom you
  disagree. Recognizing and reflecting on claims in
  opposition to your own both strengthens and
  substantiates your own interpretation.
• There are a wide range of potential sources
  available to researchers, but not all sources are
  created equal. In order to ensure your sources
  are of a high quality, seek sources from
  respected academic journals and books. It is
  possible to find valid sources outside of these
  perameters, however, you should primarily focus
  on using these resources. The Research References
  section at the bottom of the page contains links
  to helpful databases.

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Organization

• Introduction overview entire document
• Purpose/goals
• What is the point of the paper? Argumentative?
  Analytical?
• Audience (optional)
• Is the audience familiar with topic, terms?
• For analytical
• What are your research questions?
• Research methods
• How did you find your information?
• Findings and conclusions
• Forecast organization of document
• Remember one of the best ways to learn how to
  write is to read a lot of material from your
  discipline

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Organization

• Section 1
• Introduce the book very briefly, explain topic,
  provide new insight in the thesis
• Section 2General info from past to future
• Discuss background on leadership development set
  the context
• Section 3
• Discuss research methods surveys, interviews,
  charts, etc
• Section 4 Specifics/making heavy and detailed
  analysis and insight
• Discuss research findings talk about the
  crucible model, further research, your new
  insights.
• Interpret your findings interesting facts,
  evidence
• Section 5
• Conclusions provide a message regarding
  leadership. How do we create leaders?
• Works Cited/References/ Appendix

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Requirements for the Paper

• 5 pages
• 6 sources for research, with comprehensive notes!
• Biggest issue right now? ELABORATION
• Organization
• Intro (containing thesis and relevant
  background/hook)
• Paragraphs supporting main ideas (analysis of
  topic)
• Conclusion (restating thesis, explaining
  significance to modern world
• You need to outline your thoughts before you
  write
• Evidence must support the main idea!
• See sample outline

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Things to remember

• Do not abbreviate
• If it is the name of an organization or an
  acronym, write it out the first time, abbreviate
  in parenthesis, and then you can use the
  abbreviation
• Ex World War II (WWII)..WWII
• Write out numbers
• Ex 22 twenty-two
• NOOOOOO Is!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leave the first person
  out
• An analytical paper is objective (research based,
  not opinion based). Therefore, there is no first
  person