You know you have to complete this research paper to get a good grade. You’ve been through several online guides, but none of them solved your main dilemma: how do you start?
Why Is It Hard to Figure Out How to Start a Research Paper?
The introduction of your research paper sets the theme. It tells the reader what this project is all about. It sets their expectations, so they will know why it’s important to continue reading what you’ve written. How do you make it impressive? Don’t be bugged if you don’t know how to start a research paper intro. You’re just one of the many students facing the same challenge.
Why does this happen?
- Not all research paper topics are so inspiring that they get you writing right away. Most of the time, the writing process takes careful planning and organization.
- Sometimes you can’t even think of a good topic.
- Sometimes you can’t find the perfect style for this topic. If you’re too casual, the professor will think you didn’t take things seriously. If you’re too stiff, the paper will be boring.
- Even if you have the perfect outline, it’s still hard to write that opening.
“I just can’t start this” is one of the most common explanation we get from students requesting research paper writing services at XpertWriters.
We’ll help you go through that starting point. Once you do that, the entire writing process will become simpler.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Start Off a Research Paper
If you really want to learn how to start research paper, you have to be ready to spend some time on preparations. You can’t just sit in front of your computer, open a new document and start typing an incredible introduction.
So how do you start a research paper? These are the right steps to follow:
- Pick the Right Topic
When we say pick a topic, we mean to pick an angle to the general theme your professor suggested. This should be something you’re really interested in.
For example, let’s say you’re working on a sociology research paper and your professor asked you to explore family values. You’ll have to make that topic more specific. Family values differ between cultures, so what culture would you like to explore? Let’s say Turkey has your interest. Would you like to explore the modern or traditional values? Here’s a twist: How traditional family values affect modern Turkish families. That’s a topic that’s specific and captivating.
- Write Your Thesis
You’ll need a strong thesis that will guide the whole process of writing.
First, you need to set few hypotheses. Let’s go with the same example. What’s a modern Turkish family like? What were the traditional values? Is there a huge difference between today’s values and tradition? Use the knowledge you already have to form these hypotheses. If you don’t know the answers, conduct a brief research to find them.
These hypotheses should help you form a strong thesis statement, which will be the main part of the introduction.
- Do More Research
It’s a research paper, remember? You’ll need tons of examples and facts to support your arguments. Organize all your arguments and supporting information in a clean outline.
- Start the Introduction
Now, it’s time to start writing. Here are few ideas on how to start writing the first sentences:
- Define the main terms, especially the unfamiliar ones
- Start with a quote or an anecdote
- Start with a broad explanation of the theme and narrow it down to your thesis (this is the so-called funnel method)
Now You Know How to Start a Research Paper Introduction. It’s Time to Act!
A quote or an anecdote can be a great start. You’ll just connect it with your topic and you’ll move on from there. This can be the trigger you lack when wondering how to start an introduction for a research paper. Needless to say, you need the right quote or anecdote; otherwise, you’ll get your reader bored right from the start.
With all these tips, it should be easier for you to start writing. We solved a major dilemma for you: how do you start an introduction for a research paper?
You just need the right mindset. Do you lack self-confidence? Practice will make you better. If you don’t have time for practice, try writing that research paper anyway. Just start. What could you lose?
If it’s not going well and you can’t handle the pressure, you can always hire XpertWriters.com for help.