Research Paper Revising Tips

 

Below are some useful tips for revising research papers.  You should revise your research paper before you turn it in to make sure that it says what you want it to say, that it is in the correct format, and that its conventions are correct.

 

 

Tips:

  1. Use your computer’s spelling and grammar check to check the conventions of your paper.  Use this as a preliminary check only- use a grammar and conventions manual to check the check your computer does, as the computer check is often incorrect.
  2. Skim your paper silently, checking to see that you have indeed followed your outline and that your arguments make sense.  Make sure that your arguments help advance the statements you made in your thesis.
  3. If your arguments do not follow or advance your thesis; revise your thesis, revise your arguments, or add new arguments.
  4. Make sure that your claims support your arguments and that you have made acknowledgements to show their validity.
  5. Have a friend read your paper for content and conventions.  Ask them to read and make sure that your paper “flows” and that your claims and arguments make sense.  Ask them to point out any glaring grammar and usage mistakes.
  6. Revise your paper based on your friend's recommendations.
  7. Finally, read your paper OUT LOUD.  Listen to how your paper sounds when you read it and be conscious of whether or not your paper says what you think it says.  Often we hear in our mind things that are not actually written in the paper.
  8. Make any necessary revisions and then submit your paper.

 

*  Note:  You may repeat these steps several times as you revise your paper, depending on what the purpose of your paper is (Ie: whether it is a first draft, a final draft, you are sending in to be published, etc.)

 

 

Useful References for writing and revising research papers:

 

 

Booth, W., Colomb, G., & Williams, J. (2003).  The Craft of Research, Second Edition.        Chicago, IL:  The University of Chicago Press.

 

An excellent book on all aspects of research and writing.  Includes EXCELLENT information about theses, arguments, claims, and acknowledgements.

 

Strunk, W., White, E.B. (2000). The Elements of Style (4th Ed.). New York, NY.      Longman Publishers.

 

An excellent, concise book with great insight on what makes good writing great.

 

 

Hudson, C., Davis, C., Loomis, K. (Eds.) (2001). Publication Manual of the American         Psychological Association (5th Ed.).  Washington, D.C. American Psychological   Association.

 

APA style manual.  Lots of useful tips.

           

Editorial Staff of the University of Chicago Press. (1982).  The Chicago Manual of Style         (13th Ed.). Chicago, IL.  The University of Chicago Press.

 

 

Gibaldi, J. (1998).  MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd Ed.).  New   York, NY.  The Modern Language Association of America.

 

MLA style manual.  Lots of useful tips.