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Transitions that show location: above beyond across by against down along in front of alongside inside among into around near away from next to back of on top of behind onto below outside beneath over beside throughout between to the right Transitions that compare things: also as in the same way like likewise similarly Transitions that contrast things: although on the contrary as opposed on the other hand but otherwise conversely still even so yet even though however nevertheless Transitions that emphasize a point: again for this reason in fact indeed to emphasize to repeat with this in mind Transitions that illustrate: for example for instance such as to illustrate

Transitions that conclude or show cause: accordingly all in all as a result consequently due to finally in conclusion in summary therefore thus to sum up Transitions that add information: additionally finally again further along with furthermore also in addition and likewise another next as well together with beside equally important Transitions that clarify: In other words Put another way Stated differently That is To clarify Transitions that show time or sequence: about later after meanwhile afterward next as soon as prior to at soon before then during today finally tomorrow first, second, third until immediately when in the meantime yesterday

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Drafting the Research Paper

The Introduction For a 10-page paper, an introduction of about 100 words will suffice. Of course, it can be longer and made up of two or three paragraphs, but try not to go beyond one page. Make sure that if you have to add material other than the ones listed below, it relevant and contribute to an initial understanding of the topic. 1. Begin by presenting the topic and state the purpose of the research paper. In stating the purpose, you can incorporate the controlling questions or thesis statement. If you use controlling questions, the thesis statement can be presented as a generalization in the conclusion. Your statement of purpose can be as direct as the following: a. The purpose of this paper is to answer the following questions: (state the questions.) b. This paper aims to discuss the problems of over population, show its effects on Do not use the verb know (the purpose of this paper is to know). Use verbs like discuss, present, look, into, compare, analyze and the like. 2. You might include a backgrounder by pointing out the problem which prompted you to work on your topic. If you are working on the growing popularity of alternative medicine, you can begin by pointing out the exorbitant fees required in seeking medical help from doctors now a days. If you are working on the problem of peace in Mindanao, you can briefly describe the horrendous experience of some people in the midst of a rebel attack. 3. Show the importance of your topic or of dealing with a problem to your future

readers: students, a particular group or the general public.

The Body This is the stage when you answer the controlling questions or discuss, explain, expound, defend or support the thesis statement, using your notes. Writing the body will require you to exercise the most your ability to analyze, synthesize, evaluate and make inferences as you tap knowledge of English and express your ideas in the best way you can. 1. Begin by answering one of the questions. Answer the first question as that might be the easiest. Then proceed with the next question and so on. If you are expounding on a thesis, state the first point and then explain it. Do the same with every other main points.

2. Use your notes to support the main points or to corroborate whatever claim you make. The notes summaries, paraphrases, quotations should blend naturally into the discussion, not forced in. needless to say, note entries in your discussion should be preceded, interspersed and followed by sentences of your own making, otherwise your paper becomes a cut-and-paste patchwork of discordant notes. 3. Use quotations judiciously. Do not clutter your work with a lot of quotations. Do not forget to place quotation marks before and after. Make quotations of three lines or less as part of the running text. A quotation of four or more lines should be separated as a paragraph and flushed 5-7 lines from the left margin. 4. Make personal comments by citing your views, observations and evaluations. With these comments, you make your ideas blend with the ideas you took from others.

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5. Use signal phrases to make clear whose voice is speaking. Ex. As Smith (2004) noted Jones (2001) concluded Elliot (2008) argued Other signal phrases: acknowledged, admitted, argued, asserted, believed, claimed, disclosed, noted, observed, illustrated, pointed out, reported, suggestion, wrote and many more. 6. Use signal phrases to introduce direct quotes in order to identify and attribute the source being quoted and to establish the purpose, context, relevance and credibility of the direct quote. 7. Use transitional device to move from one idea to another. Doing this guarantees that you are bringing in your own thinking and even your language and not just stringing your notes mechanically.

derived if such recommendations are followed.

For a 10-page paper, a conclusion of one page is long enough, but try not to go beyond this. However, do not be satisfied with just stating your thesis and come up with a one or two-sentence conclusion. Notes:

8. Documentation is a very important feature of the paper. For every piece of borrowed information, indicate immediately that source by writing the author and the date in parenthesis.

The Conclusion 1. State the thesis by way of a conclusion if you have not presented it in the introduction. (Perhaps you presented only the purpose or questions in the introduction.) If you have done it, the restate the thesis, perhaps with a different wording.

2. Summarize the main points or summarize what the paper has done.

3. You may present some recommendations and then show the benefits that can be