Is a Research Paper Argumentative: Tips on How to Write it

As a student, you must encounter research papers in your academic journey because they are important parts of the curriculum. Mostly, these papers are common in colleges and universities.

In research papers, you are required to present original and independent ideas on topics as well as analyze and interpret the existing information on those topics. Most research papers in colleges and universities are complex and long.

Additionally, there are different types of research. Argumentative and analytical research are the most common but there are experimental, survey, report, cause and effect, and problem-solution research papers.

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Is a Research Paper Argumentative?

A lot of research papers are argumentative. In argumentative research papers, you are supposed to pick a topic and decide the position you argue on that topic. This position is usually the thesis statement of the research paper.

The main aim of this paper is to persuade the reader that the views presented are valid and to an extent convince them to adopt the arguments made.

Therefore, all the arguments you present must be backed up by evidence.

Basically, in argumentative research, you are telling the reader what you think about a particular topic and proving why you think that way.

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How to Write a Good Argumentative Research Paper

A good argumentative research paper will earn you a good grade in school.

The following process is a guide on how to write good argumentative research papers that will help you get good grades:

1. Understand the Assignment

To start with, review the instructions of the assignment carefully. Note the word limit and the format that you are supposed to use on the paper. Also, make sure that you know whether the abstract and the cover page are given.

If the research topic is already provided, read and understand what you are required to do. If the topic is not provided and you are required to choose, pick a topic that is not too broad or narrow. Broad topics may not be fully exhausted in your research and you are likely to leave some information out.

On the other hand, narrow topics may limit you to a few ideas that may not be enough to convince the reader of what you will argue in the paper.

2. Research the Topic

Finding out the content that is available on the topic you are writing will help you refine it and establish a thesis statement.

Also, through research, you will dispel the misconceptions that you may have about arguments on the research topic.

Additionally, through research, you will be easily able to find the best path and approach to your paper.

Furthermore, when doing research, it is important to keep in mind that there are primary and secondary sources. These sources can be found in the library or online.

When researching online make sure that you use credible sources such as academic papers, government articles, and science journals. Always skim through these sources instead of going into detail on each.

Only resourceful sources should be put aside for full reading later. Make a list of all sources for use in making the reference page later on

3. Write the Introduction

To write the introduction start with a hook. This sentence should grab the attention of the reader. It can be a quote or a catchy phrase. After that give the background of the topic.

This should help ease the reader into the topic. Show why the topic is controversial. Lastly, write the thesis statement. This should be a single sentence that tells the reader what your paper is all about.

It is the stance you are taking on the argument.

4. Write the Body Paragraphs

The first sentence of the body graphs is the topic sentence. This sentence should state the argument that will be discussed in the paragraph.

Next, you will have to follow it up with supporting details.

These details can either be statistics, facts, expert testimonies, examples, or personal opinions. Information that you present here that is obtained from different sources should be cited properly according to the format required by the instructor.

The last sentence of each body paragraph should offer a transition to the next except for the last body paragraph.

5. Write the Conclusion

Here you are required to summarize what your essay has been all about. You can restate your thesis in a different wording to prove to the reader that it is what your research is all about.

You can also summarize your main points in the conclusion and give a call to action or plea.

6. Reference Page

For every source you cited make sure that it is included on the reference page. The reference page should be in line with the format used in the paper.

Some of the common formats include APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. You should know how to use them all to avoid confusion when formulating the reference paper.

7. Proofread the Paper

The submission of a paper that is not proofread is always discouraged. Nobody is perfect and for long research papers, several grammar and punctuation mistakes can be made. Therefore, you must read through your paper carefully after you finish writing it.

Always read word for word, correcting the mistakes that you may have made one by one.

If you are not sure that your paper is mistake-free you can give a friend to read it.

Also, always take a break after you finish writing before proofreading the paper.

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Examples of Argumentative Research Paper Topics

• Should the death penalty be abolished completely?
• Police officers should torture suspects during interrogations.
• Are electric cars the future of the transport sector?
• Should Marijuana be legalized worldwide due to its medicinal benefits?
• Is freedom of speech the most violated right in the United States?
• Will the black lives matter movement have an impact in the next ten years?
• Should the mainstream media be controlled by the government?
• Should communist countries be forced to adopt the capitalist system?
• Should athletes be punished if they don’t stand or sing along to the national anthem when it is played before games?
• Playing video games should be restricted to kids below the age of 15.
• The education system is losing value in the world today.