Research Essay

[Deleted User]

Hey guys, I've never written a research essay before so I'm a little bit unsure as to its structure/style.

Firstly, should it be written as an essay with no headings or sub-headings? Or do I have to structure it like a report?

Secondly, should I be writing it more like an argumentative essay (ie. taking a stance on the issue and giving arguments supporting the stance and rebuking opposing arguments) or should I be writing it more like an expository/informative essay (ie. giving both sides of the argument and informing the reader of issue at hand but not really taking a stance. In other words, just reporting the information from my research)?

Thirdly, should I be basing my paragraphs around key ideas/arguments and then incorporating sources to back them up? Or should the paragraphs be based around the sources? (I'm guessing the former but the fact that it's a 'research' essay sort of implies that the sources are the focus?)

And lastly, does the tone of the piece have to be strictly formal (like a scientific paper) or can I try to make the piece sound interesting to engage the reader?

Thanks in advance!

[chysim]

Firstly, what's the subject and what's the topic?

Firstly, should it be written as an essay with no headings or sub-headings? Or do I have to structure it like a report?

I don't use heading or sub-headings for a research essay, but you probably could if you wanted to.

Secondly, should I be writing it more like an argumentative essay (ie. taking a stance on the issue and giving arguments supporting the stance and rebuking opposing arguments) or should I be writing it more like an expository/informative essay (ie. giving both sides of the argument and informing the reader of issue at hand but not really taking a stance. In other words, just reporting the information from my research)?

Thirdly, should I be basing my paragraphs around key ideas/arguments and then incorporating sources to back them up? Or should the paragraphs be based around the sources? (I'm guessing the former but the fact that it's a 'research' essay sort of implies that the sources are the focus?)

Depends on the subject and topic.

You basically want to have a key contention and response to the topic running through the heart of the essay.

I wouldn't make your sources and citations the subject of the essay. Your strategy of "basing my paragraphs around key ideas/arguments and then incorporating sources to back them up" is the right way to go about it. But yes, as it is a "research essay" it implies incorporating a significant base of references to draw upon (rather than purely repeat). Make sure you have some diversity in your sources; use books, online sources, academic journals, even magazines or podcasts if relevant.

And lastly, does the tone of the piece have to be strictly formal (like a scientific paper) or can I try to make the piece sound interesting to engage the reader?

I've found writing for uni does give you a bit of creative freedom to an extent, but – for a research essay – you'd probably stick to a formal form (i.e. I wouldn't gamble on writing some "airy-fairy" thing from the perspective of a refugee or whatever passes for VCE English). That said, you can be somewhat experimental in your delivery. Maybe incorporate images or screengrabs or diagrams or something similar.

I'd recommend reading some of the literature in your respective field and seeing how the pros go about it, concentrating on their form and language. I think it's generally underestimated how much that reading and familiarisation with conventions of writing can improve your own abilities.

[yearningforsimplicity]

Hey guys, I've never written a research essay before so I'm a little bit unsure as to its structure/style.

Firstly, should it be written as an essay with no headings or sub-headings? Or do I have to structure it like a report?

Secondly, should I be writing it more like an argumentative essay (ie. taking a stance on the issue and giving arguments supporting the stance and rebuking opposing arguments) or should I be writing it more like an expository/informative essay (ie. giving both sides of the argument and informing the reader of issue at hand but not really taking a stance. In other words, just reporting the information from my research)?

Thirdly, should I be basing my paragraphs around key ideas/arguments and then incorporating sources to back them up? Or should the paragraphs be based around the sources? (I'm guessing the former but the fact that it's a 'research' essay sort of implies that the sources are the focus?)

And lastly, does the tone of the piece have to be strictly formal (like a scientific paper) or can I try to make the piece sound interesting to engage the reader?

Thanks in advance!

You can use headings and sub-headings if you like (as long as it doesn't clash with your referencing style) and I think it's better if you can break down your essay content into different topics and put them under sub-headings (makes it look nicer and more organised to read through)

Based on what research essays I've done for my Breadth subjects, we usually do have to take a stance on the topic and research sources/papers in line with what we're arguing It might be different based on the nature of your assignment as well as how the essay topic/question/prompt is phrased. Probably best to ask your tutor or lecturer about what exact style they're looking for but more often than not, they do require you to choose a side and present research (in line with your own take on the topic/issue) so I don't think your tone should be totally neutral

With referencing, try to make sure your essay is based around the citations/references - it's not about how many references (or names of the journal authors) you mention, but more about HOW you weave that into your essay and key arguments/points you're discussing Your references should support and reinforce what you're discussing and your own input on the issue should be there too Paraphrasing is also really important because I used to lose marks for always directly quoting from journal articles haha I thought I was being more "precise" But apparently paraphrasing shows that you have a better understanding of the info

 Example of an opening topic sentence from a body paragraph using paraphrasing: Whilst the categorical approach is by no means the ‘perfect’ system for diagnosing mental disorders, it is the most prominent, accounting for the primary classification system used by the DSM. Categorical classification systems have proven effective because they cut down on multiple diagnoses, saving time by outlining set symptoms as diagnostic criteria (Dalal & Sivakumar, 2009).

I think the tone of your paper depends on what your tutor would like But most of the time, I think it's expected that you write in third-person, avoid using contractions, use linking words (consequently, whereas, whilst, however, rather, thus, subsequently, additionally, as aformentioned, etc) and just don't let your sentences or paragraphs get too convoluted or winding (always lose marks for this >.<). Also try to make links between your paragraphs as it shows a logical flow of arguments - this can just be a matter of using the same word or idea in the opening sentence of your next para E.g. you might end a previous body para by talking about the importance of apples in making pie (lol not an essay topic but just for an example >.<). Then, you could start the next para by saying "whilst apples are an imperative ingredient for pie, berries have in recent times also become a primary ingredient used within the humble pie" (LOL). Basically, rather than just starting the new para talking about how berries are also good in pie, you're firstly linking it to the previous topic you just finished on (apples) - I dont even know if that made sense hahaha

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys!