The most common mistakes from research paper rough drafts…

Every single body paragraph you write MUST include:

1. A proper topic sentence2. Information from a credible source3. Citation for your source4. A closing statement

Topic SentencesEvery topic sentence you write must be a declarative statement that is relevant to

the point of the thesis which its body section is intended to cover. Do NOT start body paragraphs in a research paper with

quotes, questions, or statistics. Start with a claim, then prove it. NEVER refer to

previous information as “this” or “these” in a topic sentence.

Topic sentencesA lack of understanding about the human ear’s

anatomy has contributed to substantial American hearing loss. A thorough comprehension of how the human ear functions is essential to comprehend how exterior forces can impact one’s long term hearing. The ear drum, for example…

An understanding of the biology of human hearing and the capability of modern electronics shows that the misuse of modern headphones has contributed to a substantial increase in American hearing loss.

Three-Point Thesis Statement

Why is source variety important when attempting to prove something?

Parenthetical Citations

Every time you paraphrase a source (put the same information in your own

words) you must provide a parenthetical citation so your reader can see where

the information is from. The period should be placed outside of the last

parenthesis. Theses are NOT to be used when someone is quoted directly.

Parenthetical Citations…A thorough comprehension of how the human ear functions is essential to comprehend how exterior forces can impact one’s long term hearing. The ear drum, for example, is not the area of damage in noise-induced hearing damage, according to a Time Health magazine article by Laura Blue. Blue went on to explain where the real damage occurs:

It's where the nerve that brings the sound message up to the brain connects with the inner ear, and it involves some very specialized cells. These are hair cells, and specifically we're looking at the outer hair cells. Further research has found that those nerve cells are coated with what is called the myelin sheath. That sheath helps to carry electrical signals to the brain (Glynn). Those cells are able to recover after one damaging incident, but overexposure kills them permanently (Blue).

Closing Statements

Never end your body paragraphs with quotes or citations. After providing

credible and documented information to prove the claim of your topic sentence

(which is intended to prove part of your thesis) end the paragraph with at least one sentence in your own words that

ties the information back to the thesis.

Closing Statements…Those cells are able to recover after one damaging incident, but overexposure kills them permanently (Blue). With an enhanced understanding of where the physical damage of noise-induced hearing occurs, one can take appropriate steps to avoid contributing to that damage.

An understanding of the biology of human hearing and the capability of modern electronics shows that the misuse of modern headphones has contributed to a substantial increase in American hearing loss.

Three-Point Thesis Statement

Long quotes You are encouraged and required to

include direct quotes in your paper. That does not mean it’s acceptable to quote

half a page from a website and stick it into your paper just because you put quotes around it. Quotes of 4+ lines should be

entered as block quotes, and they should be specific to the point the paragraph’s

topic sentence.

Long QuotesA lack of understanding about the human ear’s anatomy has contributed to substantial American hearing loss. …The ear drum, for example, is not the area of damage in noise-induced hearing damage, according to a Time Health magazine article by Laura Blue. Blue went on to explain where the real damage occurs:

It's where the nerve that brings the sound message up to the brain connects with the inner ear, and it involves some very specialized cells. These are hair cells, and specifically we're looking at the outer hair cells.

Alternate Block QuotesA lack of understanding about the human ear’s anatomy has contributed to substantial American hearing loss. …The ear drum, for example, is not the area of damage in noise-induced hearing damage:

It's where the nerve that brings the sound message up to the brain connects with the

inner ear, and it involves some very specialized cells. These are hair cells, and specifically we're looking at the outer hair cells

(Blue).

Distinct Body Sections You can draw a distinction between your body sections in one of three ways, but

you must be consistent with the method you choose:

1. No spaces between body sections but with very strong, topic sentences which introduce the section.

2. A single space between body sections.3. Subtitles between body sections.

Formal Language+NEVER use “you” or any other second person/first person pronouns in your paper unless it is inside of a direct quote.

+Your paper must be written about the subject, not written as if you are speaking to the reader.

+NEVER give command statements or advice to your readers.

Formal Language

STANDARD: I think you should attend a four year university and get a degree

in Sports Medicine if you want to become an athletic trainer.

FORMAL: One is required to achieve a Bachelors degree from a credible

university to acquire employment as an athletic trainer.

Formal Language+NEVER use contractions or simplistic vocabulary like “good,” “bad,” or “a lot” in your paper unless it/they is inside of a direct quote.

Standard: It’s good to have a lot of experience in the area you want to get a job.Formal: It is essential to have substantial experience in the desired field to obtain eligibility for employment.

PROCRASTINATIONIf you wait until just before the due date to

work on your assignment, you cheat yourself in multiple ways.

+Give yourself time away from your paper before editing to do so more effectively+Give your mentor time to read your paper. One or two days is not sufficient.+Rushing to edit your paper will result in careless errors. It shows if you take your time and work ahead.