What is in a research paper? I've never written one and I'm terrified. 😨

[MikeWood]

Junior here. Somehow made it two years without writing a real research paper. Now I have to write one for my major and I have no idea what's supposed to be in it.

I know it's longer than an essay. I know it uses sources. But what actually goes inside? Like, section by section, what am I supposed to write?

My professor said "it's a formal piece of academic writing presenting original research on a topic." That means nothing to me. Original research? I'm an undergrad. What original research can I possibly do?

I'm spiraling a little. Okay, a lot. I've been putting off starting because I don't even know what "starting" means. Help? What am I supposed to put in this thing?

 

[Parker]

"Original research" in undergrad means:

• You found a question that interests you
• You read what scholars say about it
• You noticed something they missed or disagreed with
• You formed your own argument based on evidence
• You wrote it down in a structured way

That's literally it. You do this in essays already, just shorter. Now it's longer and you need more sources. Same skills, bigger project.

Section by section: Abstract (summary, write last), Intro (thesis), Lit Review (what others said), Body (your argument), Conclusion (wrap up), References. Format correctly. Done.