Proper structure of a research paper?

Question

I'm researching a certain historical object and I'm going to do a 4-6 page essay on it. What's the proper structure of a research essay? I'm talking about how I should start it, how to continue talking about things, and how to end it. For those of you who are knowledgeable about grammar and writing, please share your knowledge.

Answer 1

Do you have to have it written in a certain format? Usually MLA style is what I use.

This is a really good page that discusses formatting and citing for the MLA style: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

Here are tips on getting started with a paper: http://depts.washington.edu/saas/academics/writingcenter/how.to.start.pdf

Good luck!

Answer 2

Before you sit down to start writing the paper, think about whether you have a central argument, a central thesis, a central point you want to get across to the reader. You should.

Then take that point and introduce it in the first paragraph. Perhaps say why you believe it to be an important point worthy of consideration. Also tell the reader how you will back up your point with various types of evidence throughout the essay. This is called a "road map" of sorts that you can offer to the reader. For example:
"In the next section, I describe... Next, I discuss ... Following, I consider... Finally, I end by..."

Then do all those things that you just said you would.

End the paper with a conclusion where you recap the main argument and what evidence you have offered to support it.

Answer 3

One of my high school teachers taught me this:

Introduction (state your topic)
Heading 1 ( one part of your topic)
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Conclusion

I find it a very useful format, and of course, if you want more detail for the paragraphs, it should be structured as:

Topic Sentence
Concrete Detail 1
Concrete Detail 2
Commentary
Concrete Detail 3
Concrete Detail 4
Commentary
Concrete Detail 5
Concrete Detail 6
Comentary
Concluding Sentence

I'm not that positive, but i''m about 95% sure this is the standard paragraph structure for a research project.

Good Luck!