• Writing research papers does not have to be a dreaded task.writing image by Anna Chelnokova from Fotolia.com
  
  Many students dread having to write research papers. They can be time-consuming and frustrating, but this doesn't have to be the case. If you stay organized and stick to your outline, you'll have less pain when you write a research paper.
  
  

Ensure You Understand the Assignment

• Ask any questions you may have when the paper is first assigned.question mark image by Bram J. Meijer from Fotolia.com
  
  After getting the assignment, ensure that you know what is expected in your paper. Read the instructions thoroughly and if you have questions, ask. It is better to fully understand an assignment from the beginning than it is to write half of a paper only to realize you are not writing your paper correctly. If your teacher or professor expects a certain font, size, page length or margin specifications, make sure you follow them.
  
  

Stay Organized

• Using different colors may help keep you more organized.color pen image by UBE from Fotolia.com
  
  Stay organized right from the start; this will keep you on track. Many people find that using different colored markers or pens to annotate printed sources helps them stay more focused. If there are several main points in your research paper, this technique will be especially helpful. If you are organized with your sources, they will be much easier to access while you write. Experiment with different organizational strategies and find the right ones for you. Before you start to write, outline main points using the respective colors. This working outline will help you when you incorporate your research into your paper.
  
  

Form a Specific Research Question

• The specific research question serves as the purpose of your paper. It is impossible to cover everything about most topics without narrowing them down so you can cover the subject effectively. If your teacher or professor gives you the option of choosing your own topic, choose something that interests you. You'll find that you will remain more interested in the paper throughout the process.
  
  

Use Proper Source Citations

• Depending on the style your teacher or professor asks you to use for your research paper, the citations you use will differ. Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides up-to-date guidelines for styles such as APA, MLA and CMS. Don't bother to memorize these styles, since the rules are constantly changing. Always cite your sources in the paper itself as well as an attachment to the paper often called "Works Cited," "References," or "Bibliography" depending on the style you use.
  
  

Always Proofread

• When you write a research paper, proofread it before you submit it for grading. Check your paper for spelling and grammatical errors as well as the overall flow of the paper; use the checker in your word processing software for spelling and grammar. Have someone else read your paper and provide feedback if possible.