UNCW
Assignment Calculator
Enter your assignment dates
Date you will begin the assignment:
A valid date is required.
Date the assignment is due:
A valid date is required.
Calculate assignment
UNCW Assignment
Calculator Results
Starting on:
{[{displayBeginDate}]}
Ending on:
{[{displayEndDate}]}
According to the dates you have entered, you have {[{daysLeft}]} day(s) to finish
What do you think of the assignment calculator? Let us know!
Want to try a different date?
Date you will begin the assignment:
A valid date is required.
Date the assignment is due:
A valid date is required.
Calculate assignment
Save as PDF
OR
A valid email is required.
Send as Email
Write a Research Paper
Step 1
By {[{step1DateTime}]} : How to Begin
Understand your assignment.
Read the prompt and make sure you understand the assignment.
Contact or visit your instructor's office hours if you have questions.
Select a workable topic.
See the
"Topic Development"
guide or, for more in-depth strategies, the
"Coming Up with your Topic"
guide.
Conduct preliminary investigation into topic and the issues surrounding it. (
Why? Picking your topic IS research
)
Try looking up your topic in
Credo Reference
.
Look for subject encyclopedias by
searching the Library Catalog
(e.g. encyclopedia and psychology).
Ask a Librarian for help
.
Still not sure how to begin?
Schedule a brainstorming appointment with a writing tutor
.
Step 2
By {[{step2DateTime}]} : Write your working thesis or research question.
Revise and narrow your topic as needed.
Thesis Statement: What is It? [.pdf]
Developing a Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement Revising [.pdf]
Drop in at the
Writing Lab
to discuss your thesis.
Step 3
By {[{step3DateTime}]} : Design Your Research Strategy.
Find your sources.
Use the "
My Research Strategy
" Tool to design an effective search.
Use the
Library search box
to find books, articles, and more.
Use the
Library subject guides
to find more resources by topic.
As you conduct research:
Ask yourself "How will I use this as evidence?"
Be aware that there is no such thing as the
one perfect source
.
Gather citation information on your sources for your bibliography page.
Consider using
EndnoteWeb
,
Zotero
or other tools to save citations and create your bibliography.
Not sure where to start? Not finding what you are looking for?
Ask a Librarian for help.
Step 4
By {[{step4DateTime}]} : Critically read and evaluate sources.
Evaluate sources
by currency, authority, accuracy, relevance, and purpose.
What are
Popular vs. Scholarly Sources
What are
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources
?
Use critical strategies as you begin "Reading to Write".
It's not too soon to start thinking about how to
"Get Into" writing an essay [.pdf]
.
Ask A Librarian
for help with evaluating sources or
schedule an appointment with a writing tutor
.
Step 5
By {[{step5DateTime}]} : Develop overall structure. Draft sections of the paper. Organize your sources.
Develop your ideas
.
Organize your thoughts and your paper's structure.
Structure and Organization
Create an Outline [.pdf]
Start writing segments or chunks, not necessarily the introduction. As you write you will discover more of what you want to say.
Drop in at the Writing Lab
to discuss your thesis, the organization of your ideas, or the introduction to your paper.
Step 6
By {[{step6DateTime}]} : Write the first draft.
Think about how to write a successful paper [.pdf]
.
Remember the academic "dos & don'ts [.pdf]"
.
Compose sections, concentrating on your ideas and not revising at this time.
You might use the basic organization of an academic paper as a guide [.pdf]
.
As you incorporate others' ideas or words be sure to cite your sources
!
Submit your draft to Writing Services' OWL for tutor response
.
Step 7
By {[{step7DateTime}]} : Revise and rewrite--focus on content, development of ideas, connections between your points, and effective use of your sources.
Approaches to Revision
Revising a Draft [.pdf]
Writing an Effective Conclusion [.pdf]
Schedule an appointment with a writing tutor
Step 8
By {[{step8DateTime}]} : Proofread, polish and put your paper in final form.
A Revision Checklist
Proofreading and Editing [.pdf]
Editing Your Paper [.pdf]
Final Revision [.pdf]
Based on the original
Assignment Calculator
from the
University of Minnesota Libraries
.
Developed by
Randall Library
and the
UNCW Writing Center
Questions or Comments?
Contact Us