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The most common
mistakes from
research paper
rough drafts…
Every single body paragraph you write
MUST include:
1. A proper topic sentence
2. Information from a credible source
3. Citation for your source
4. A closing statement
Topic Sentences
Every topic sentence you write must be a
declarative statement that is relevant to
the point of the thesis which its body
section is intended to cover. Do NOT start
body paragraphs in a research paper with
quotes, questions, or statistics. Start with
a claim, then prove it. NEVER refer to
previous information as “this” or “these”
in a topic sentence.
Three-Point Thesis Statement
An understanding of the biology of human hearing and the
capability of modern electronics shows that the misuse of
modern headphones has contributed to a substantial
increase in American hearing loss.
Topic sentences
A lack of understanding about the human ear’s
anatomy has contributed to substantial American
hearing loss. A thorough comprehension of how the
human ear functions is essential to comprehend how
exterior forces can impact one’s long term hearing.
The ear drum, for example…
Why is source variety important when
attempting to prove something?
Parenthetical Citations
Every time you paraphrase a source (put
the same information in your own
words) you must provide a parenthetical
citation so your reader can see where the
information is from. The period should
be placed outside of the last parenthesis.
Theses are NOT to be used when
someone is quoted directly.
Parenthetical Citations
…A thorough comprehension of how the human ear
functions is essential to comprehend how exterior forces can
impact one’s long term hearing. The ear drum, for example,
is not the area of damage in noise-induced hearing damage,
according to a Time Health magazine article by Laura Blue.
Blue went on to explain where the real damage occurs:
It's where the nerve that brings the sound message up
to the brain connects with the inner ear, and it
involves some very specialized cells. These are hair
cells, and specifically we're looking at the outer hair
cells.
Further research has found that those nerve cells are coated
with what is called the myelin sheath. That sheath helps to
carry electrical signals to the brain (Glynn). Those cells are
able to recover after one damaging incident, but
overexposure kills them permanently (Blue).
Closing Statements
Never end your body paragraphs with
quotes or citations. After providing
credible and documented information to
prove the claim of your topic sentence
(which is intended to prove part of your
thesis) end the paragraph with at least
one sentence in your own words that ties
the information back to the thesis.
Three-Point Thesis Statement
An understanding of the biology of human hearing and the
capability of modern electronics shows that the misuse of
modern headphones has contributed to a substantial
increase in American hearing loss.
Closing Statements
…Those cells are able to recover after one damaging
incident, but overexposure kills them permanently
(Blue). With an enhanced understanding of where
the physical damage of noise-induced hearing
occurs, one can take appropriate steps to avoid
contributing to that damage.
Long quotes
You are encouraged and required to
include direct quotes in your paper. That
does not mean it’s acceptable to quote
half a page from a website and stick it
into your paper just because you put
quotes around it. Quotes of 4+ lines
should be entered as block quotes, and
they should be specific to the point the
paragraph’s topic sentence.
Long Quotes
A lack of understanding about the human ear’s
anatomy has contributed to substantial American
hearing loss. …The ear drum, for example, is not
the area of damage in noise-induced hearing
damage, according to a Time Health magazine
article by Laura Blue. Blue went on to explain
where the real damage occurs:
It's where the nerve that brings the sound
message up to the brain connects with the
inner ear, and it involves some very
specialized cells. These are hair cells, and
specifically we're looking at the outer hair
cells.
Alternate Block Quotes
A lack of understanding about the human
ear’s anatomy has contributed to substantial
American hearing loss. …The ear drum, for
example, is not the area of damage in noiseinduced hearing damage:
It's where the nerve that brings the
sound message up to the brain
connects with the inner ear, and it
involves some very specialized cells.
These are hair cells, and specifically
we're looking at the outer hair cells
(Blue).
Distinct Body Sections
You can draw a distinction between your
body sections in one of three ways, but
you must be consistent with the method
you choose:
1. No spaces between body sections but
with very strong, topic sentences
which introduce the section.
2. A single space between body
sections.
3. Subtitles between body sections.
Formal Language
+NEVER use “you” or any other second
person/first person pronouns in your
paper unless it is inside of a direct quote.
+Your paper must be written about the
subject, not written as if you are
speaking to the reader.
+NEVER give command statements or
advice to your readers.
Formal Language
STANDARD: I think you should attend
a four year university and get a degree
in Sports Medicine if you want to
become an athletic trainer.
FORMAL: One is required to achieve a
Bachelors degree from a credible
university to acquire employment as
an athletic trainer.
Formal Language
+NEVER use contractions or simplistic
vocabulary like “good,” “bad,” or “a lot”
in your paper unless it/they is inside of a
direct quote.
Standard: It’s good to have a lot of
experience in the area you want to get a
job.
Formal: It is essential to have substantial
experience in the desired field to obtain
eligibility for employment.
PROCRASTINATION
If you wait until just before the due date
to work on your assignment, you cheat
yourself in multiple ways.
+Give yourself time away from your
paper before editing to do so more
effectively
+Give your mentor time to read your
paper. One or two days is not sufficient.
+Rushing to edit your paper will result in
careless errors. It shows if you take your
time and work ahead.