Essays & Term Papers: QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide

Define the Purpose

Define a purpose for writing. A clear purpose will help you develop a structure for your paper and select relevant information. There are two basic purposes for a research paper. This guide will focus on the second purpose listed below: to persuade.

To inform: Cite facts and statistics to convey information.

Explain the causes and effects of Mississippi River flooding. Compare and contrast flooding in the western United States with flooding in the eastern United States. Explain why flooding is a problem in urban American communities and offer solutions.

To persuade: Develop reasons and cite evidence to convince readers to agree with an opinion on a debatable topic by getting them to take action or change their thinking.

Influence readers that comprehensive AIDS education should be mandatory in all American high schools. Convince readers that the death penalty should be federally outlawed. . Prove to readers that the legal drinking age in the United States should be lowered to eighteen.

Characterize the Audience

Define the audience for your paper. With a clear audience in mind, you will be able to craft an argument that is convincing.

Checklist: Use this series of questions to define and analyze your audience:

Is the audience an individual or a group?

What do you want the audience to do? How do you want the audience to change its thinking?

What does the audience already know about the topic?

What does the audience need to know about the topic in order to under­stand your argument?

What are the demographic features (age, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, politics, education, etc.) of the audience?

Point of view: For an academic audience, convey information using the third-person omniscient point of view. This disembodied voice is not part of the action of the text and uses third-person pronouns, such as he, his, him, she, her, hers, they, theirs, them, and it.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu com­plications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. —Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Verb tense: Because research papers tend to focus on current topics and events, choosing to write in the present tense is appropriate. An inconsistent or inappropriate verb tense may confuse your audience. However, you may need to use past or future tense constructions in specific