WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 1

THE DIRECTIVE

The research paper instructions are given in the directive. The directive is the major verb of the
question or instruction statement. This directive highlights how the topics within the essay question
must be addressed. In the examples below the directive are highlighted in red.

Examples:

 Evaluate care ethics among nurses within the field of oncology.

 Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of
scientific discovery.
 Explain the differences between diffusion, passive transport, and active transport.
 Discuss the similarities and differences between response generalization and stimulus
generalization. Why do we need both concepts?

Below is a chart containing the major categories of directives and basic answer strategies. Each category
is color coded to match the relevant section within the essay structure chart on pg. 3.

QUESTION TYPE DIRECTIVE/ RHETORICAL CUE BASIC ANSWER ELEMENTS

Expansion Explain, expand, compare,  Explain in great detail the

contrast, examine, describe relationship between
topic(s)
 You may use cause/effect,
compare/contrast if
needed.
 Use factual information.

DO NOT EXPRESS YOUR OPINION

Analysis Analyze, evaluate, prove/  Support an argumentative

disprove, show, justify, illustrate, stance, principle or theory
discuss, examine with factual information.
 An analysis or evaluation
will need pros/cons in
addition to facts.

DO NOT EXPRESS YOUR OPINION

WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 2

THE TOPIC

The topic is what the essay is generally about. In the examples below the Topic is highlight in green.

Examples:

 Evaluate care ethics among nurses within the field of oncology.

 Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of
scientific discovery.
 Explain the differences between diffusion, passive transport, and active transport.
 Discuss the similarities and differences between response generalization and stimulus
generalization. Why do we need both concepts?

THE FOCUS

The focus is what the research paper is specifically about. It confines your writing to a specific area
within the topic. They are parameters that define or limit the scope of your paper. In the examples
below the Focus is highlighted in blue.

Examples:

 Evaluate care ethics among nurses within the field of oncology.

 Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of
scientific discovery.
 Explain the differences between diffusion, passive transport, and active transport.
 Discuss the similarities and differences between response generalization and stimulus
generalization. Why do we need both concepts?

RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE

WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE
SECTION TYPE & PURPOSE
Introduction-
The purpose of the introduction is to introduce the
topic and deliver the thesis statement or
argumentative stance the author will take. In larger
research papers the introduction is also used to
outline, or map, the major points or premises that
will support the thesis statement or argument.
NOTE- depending on the format (APA, MLA)
sometimes an abstract is required before the
Introduction.
Body- paragraph type 1 (factual presentation)
This is where you present that facts or premises
that support your thesis or argument. Stick to one
major fact or premise per paragraph. Use as many
of these paragraphs as necessary to present all the
premises and facts.
Body- paragraph type 2 (interpretive)
This is the paragraph type in which conclusions and
interpretation of the collection of facts or premises
are presented. This is when you display how the
facts and premises support your thesis or
argument. Multiple paragraphs of this type may be
needed. You don’t need to state your intention at
the beginning of each paragraph of this type, only
the first.
3
SECTION STRUCTURE
1) Introduce the topic via some background
information, or a statement about the
topic that grasps the reader’s attention.
2) Orientate the topic towards the thesis or
argumentative stance.
3) Deliver the thesis statement or
argumentative stance.
4) Define any terms that the audience likely
won’t know but are critical to the
understanding of the research paper (if
necessary)
5) Outline the major points, facts, or premises
that will be used to support or validate the
thesis or argument.
1) State the major thought of the paragraph.
2) Validate the thought with details and facts
(explanation- may use multiple sentences).
3) Concluding sentence.
4) Transition sentence to next paragraph.
1) State the fact or premise that is the focus
of the paragraph
2) Validate the fact or premise with cited
details, research and additional facts.
3) Concluding sentence.
4) Transition sentence to next paragraph.
1) State intention to show how the above
thoughts support your argument or thesis.
2) Argue/ display how the premises support
your argument (can be multiple sentences)
3) Strong concluding statement
WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 4

1) State intention to show how the above

facts/ premises support the thesis or
stance.
2) Argue/ display how the facts support your
thesis (can be multiple sentences)
3) Strong concluding statement

Body paragraph type 3 (evaluation) 1) State intention to evaluate the thesis

This paragraph is where you display your
understanding of the limitations and value of your
conclusions regarding the thesis statement.
2) Use pro’s and con’s to display the value
and limitations of your thesis
3) If necessary provide examples to clarify
any remaining issues
4) Strong Concluding statement

Body- paragraph type 4 (other considerations) 1) State that other considerations should be
mentioned/ accounted for
This paragraph type allows for the presentation of 2) State the consideration
other considerations, facts etc. that may influence 3) Display how it may affect /contradict your
or contradict your thesis or argument. Only use if argument or thesis
the other considerations are relevant (e.g counter- 4) State counter-considerations (if necessary)
arguments, facts from other studies that produce 5) Display how it may affect the
different results). Using this paragraph type thesis/argument
displays a deeper understanding of the subject. 6) Concluding sentence

Conclusion- 1) State intention to conclude the paper

The conclusion can be similar to the introduction.
This is where you summarize the essay and restate
in extreme brevity how the facts and/or premises
support your thesis or argument. Reflect upon the
significance of what has been written
2) General statement about the topic
3) Summarize the major points of the paper
and restate the thesis/ argumentative
stance.
4) Strong concluding statement (s)-convey
the broader implications/ significance of
the research

PROOFREADER’S CHECKLIST

 Check whether the writer has written about the correct topic and focus by looking at the thesis
statement. It should mention both.
 Check whether the writer has followed the directive. This should be evident by examining the
first sentence of each body paragraph. These sentences should be of a style that matches the
instructions for the correct directive category within the essay structure guide.
WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER – PROOFREADER GUIDE 5

 Check for an introduction. The first paragraph should introduce the topic and contain a thesis
statement or indicate the major argument or opinion the writer wants to convey.
 Check for a conclusion. The opening sentence of the last paragraph should state the intention to
conclude the essay is some way.