Writing a Research Paper
Instructor: Dr. Algirdas Makarevicius
Students: Postgraduate, Year 1 (semester 1)
Venue: Main Auditorium
Duration: The course begins on Week 2 and finishes on Week 14; two academic hours per week
Examination: The date and time will be announced two weeks in advance.
Course Requirements
Your research paper should consist of approximately 1500 words. The basis of good research paper is clear structure, coherent and consistent analysis of the problem, good examples/illustrations, without mistakes in spelling, grammar, style and syntax.
Research papers generally require you to include three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. Some longer papers may require the use of headings for Introduction and Conclusion, as well as for sections of the body, whereas shorter papers may not. (Do not use "Body" as a heading; use headings relevant to your own content). Check the specifications for every assignment you are set. Different subject and discipline areas may have different requirements.
The introduction should begin with the general issue and narrow down to the specifics of the problem you are discussing in your paper. Use the introduction to provide background information about the broad subject, identify the relevant problem or issue, and take the reader step by step to an understanding of why the specific focus you have chosen is relevant to that subject.
An introduction usually ends with some sort of statement of your focus (a focal statement or purpose statement). This statement tells the reader specifically what point you are going to make in your paper, and if possible how you are going to go about doing that. You may find it helpful to write the introduction last or at least revise it substantially after the main body of the paper has been written.
The body should follow logically from your focal statement and support it consistently. Use section headings where appropriate, if required. Keep referring back to the focal statement with each new piece of information you bring in, to ensure that it is relevant to the point you want to make in your paper.
The body is made up of a series of paragraphs. Paragraphs may be described as packages of information each beginning with a topic sentence. The topic sentence defines the content or topic of the paragraph, just as the focal statement for the paper defines the specific topic of the essay. The topic of the paragraph is then expanded with sentences which may develop the topic by providing examples, details, evidence or analogies.
Make sure the ideas flow clearly from one sentence to the next. Use illustrations, diagrams and tables where they clarify your text or are more efficient than text. A broader concluding sentence for the paragraph may sometimes be provided to tie the information together and remind the reader how it relates to the focus of the paper.
Information in the conclusion moves from the specific to the general. The conclusion must not simply repeat information given earlier, but must synthesize the ideas in the research paper to form a response to the issue raised by the paper topic:
Restate the focal statement of the research paper.
Summarize the main points of the supporting paragraphs as they are relevant to your synthesis. End with a broader concluding statement about how the assignment question relates to the more general issues described in the introduction.
The general rule is that no new information should be brought into the conclusion: everything in it should follow logically from the information presented to the reader in your research paper.
Your Research Paper must be submitted in two ways:
1) hard copy printed on white A4 format paper, Font 12, Times New Roman, spaces between lines – 2 mm;
2) e-mail with your name and your ID Number on the subject line.
Please include Title Page, with your name on it.
Do not forget to include References, and Abstract.
Please email your paper (as attachment) to the following address: algirdas@gmail.com.
Please do not forget to write your full name and student ID number on the Subject Line. Please e-mail only once.
Your paper must be submitted in both ways mentioned above before 4:00 p.m. (the last day of classes).
You must print your title page according to the following SAMPLE (please note that this is only a sample)
TITLE PAGE of your Paper
(12 blank lines)
PROBLEMS OF TREATMENT HEPATITIS IN CHINA (10 blank lines)
Student: English name in English and Chinese names (first name and last name) in Chinese and in English
Student ID Number:
Instructor and Supervisor: Dr. Algirdas Makarevicius
(10 blank lines)
Date:
Learning Materials
The Essentials of Critical Reading
The Essentials of Good Writing
A Simple Essay Format
An Excellent Essay Writing Tips (Simple Essay Format in Brief)
Research Essay Topics and Titles (Topic vs Title)
Methods of Paraphrasing
How to Write a Good Summary
Academic Research Essay Format Requirements
Basic Features of Academic Writing
Types of Essays
Some Practical English Grammar Rules and Exceptions (Useful Links)
Other materials will be recommended by the instructor
Assessment
Research paper: 50%
Mid-semester test: 20%
Final exam: 30%
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Course Outline
|
Week
|
Main Theme |
Topics for Discussion |
Home Assignments |
|
1
|
Registration Week |
No classes |
No assignments |
|
2
|
Introduction |
1. Introduction to professional paper writing and publication.
2. How to start writing a conference paper.
3. Problems of writing a paper.
4. What is plagiarism and how to avoid it? |
Selecting a textbook. |
|
3
|
Professional Paper Writing |
1. Classification of professional papers.
2. Styles of paper writing.
3. Practical exercises. |
Conduct library and Internet research in order to choose a suitable topic for your paper. |
|
4
|
Title, Author and Keywords |
1. Writing requirements.
2. Linguistic features of a professional paper.
3. Practical exercises. |
How to Write a Conference Paper: references, abstract, and other components of a professional paper. |
|
5
|
Abstract |
1. Functions of abstract.
2. Linguistics features of abstract writing.
3. Basic steps for abstract writing. |
Continue library and Internet research in order to choose a suitable topic for your paper. |
|
6
|
How to Write Introduction? |
1. General functions of introduction.
2. Structural and stylistic features of introduction.
3. Practical exercises. |
Collect and classify information for your conference paper. |
|
7
|
Textual Development I |
1. Description.
2. Logical development.
3. Reasoning and persuasion. |
Start writing a rough draft of the conference paper. |
|
8
|
Textual Development II |
1. Papers of experimental nature.
2. Process of writing, technology, materials and equipment.
3. Reflections and practical exercises. |
Write a rough draft of the conference paper. |
|
9
|
Conclusion,
Acknowledgements,
References,
Appendixes and
Footnotes |
1. Conclusion: results, discussion and recommendations.
2. How to write and how not to write acknowledgements.
3. Principles of writing references, appendixes and footnotes.
4. Reflections and practical exercises. |
Continue writing rough draft of the conference paper. |
|
10
|
Paper Publication Procedure |
1. Correspondence between author and editor.
2. Copyright.
3. Reflections and practical exercises. |
Start reading the textbook “English for International Academic Conferences”. |
|
11
|
Academic Conferences |
1. Writing an academic conference paper.
2. Writing an academic conference speech script.
3. Types of delivery - paper presentations, posters and workshops.
4. Evaluating the effectiveness of presentations. |
Continue writing the conference paper – rough draft. |
|
12
|
International Conferences |
1. Organizing an international conference: preparatory work.
2. Work in the course of the conference.
3. Chairing an international conference; plenary session; panel discussion.
4. Reflections and practical exercises. |
Completing final draft of the paper. Preparation for a simulated international conference. |
|
13
|
International Conferences |
Preparation for a simulated international conference. |
Preparation for simulated international conference. |
|
14
|
Simulated International Conference |
Simulated international conference. |
Preparation for the final examination. |
|