Preface -- So you have to write a research paper -- Getting started: finding a research question -- Learning proper citation forms, finding the scholarly debate, and making sense of the scholarly answers to your research question -- Effectively distilling your argument: the thesis, model, and hypothesis -- Revising and editing your work: it ain't over til it's over! -- Making your plan and protecting yourself from criticism: the research -- Evaluating the argument: the analysis and assessment section -- Bringing your paper together in three essential ways: the conclusion, introduction, and title.