Checklist: Writing a research paper

Research papers are essential in your academic life, and writing a proper research paper is not hard. Still, everyone needs a detailed checklist to feel sure about completing a research paper. We’re here to help you with a thorough list.

You may want to use this checklist while writing your research paper to keep track of your writing process, you may use it after you’ve finished your paper to check your work before submitting it, or you can do both and foolproof your work, it’s up to you.

  • My paper follows the correct format according to the assignment sheet (MLA, APA, etc.)
  • My topic is engaging and interests the reader.
  • My introduction page clearly and precisely presents my topic.
  • My introduction page ends with an easily understood thesis statement that narrows down my topic.
  • All my body paragraphs have topic sentences and subtopics relevant to my thesis statement.
  • I support my subtopics with relevant ideas and examples based on credible sources.
  • My transitions are clear, I have made use of transition sentences and transition words.
  • My conclusion gives a summary of my findings of the topic and contains my thesis statement.
  • I correctly cited ALL the sources both in the bibliography and in-text citations. (if not, it is considered plagiarism.)
  • I have a sufficient number of sources that are credible and considered critical sources (such as journal articles).
  • I have checked my paper for any typos or punctuation mistakes.
  • I have proofread my paper to make sure it stays on-topic and accomplishes to reflect the thesis statement.
  • My paper has a logical outline and can be easily read.

Always double-check your paper to make sure you didn’t use someone else’s ideas (including paraphrasing) in your paper without citing them. Check our How to cite in MLA and How to cite in APA articles for more information.

Picture of Ibrahim Akturk
Ibrahim Akturk
Content editor at Tamara Research. Translation major, huge coffee and baking nerd. Addicted to good music and great articles.

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