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1、PARTS OF AN ACADEMIC PAPERTITLE. The title tells what the paper is about.ABSTRACT. (From Wikipedia) An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding, or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject. It helps the reader to quickly determine the papers purpo
2、se. It always appears at the beginning of a manuscript or article. The terms prcis or synopsis are used in some publications to refer to the same thing that other publications might call an “abstract.” An academic abstract typically outlines 4 elements relevant to the work: The research focus (state
3、ment of the problem/research issue) The research methods used The results/findings of the research; and The main conclusions and recommendations.KEYWORDS.Keywords are significant words which are used frequently in a paper to help describe what is in it. They allow a person to use an information retr
4、ieval system, such as the Internet, to indicate the contents of a document. Over 80% of all on-line transactions begin with a keyboard search.INTRODUCTION.The introduction brings the reader into the paper. It should indicate the general idea of the paper (the thesis) and make it sound as interesting
5、 as possible. It should contain (1) brief, relevant background information, (2) an essay map showing what specific areas your paper will cover, and (3) the thesis statement, which states the focus and direction of the writing. The thesis statement often begins with expressions like: “This report exa
6、mines,” and “This article demonstrates.” An introduction should be no shorter than one-twelfth and no longer than one-tenth of the total assignment. METHODS. (From Scientists English)The purpose of the Methods section of a research paper is to outline clearly how the data for the study was obtained.
7、 The elements included in the Methods section, which do not need to be given in a fixed order, generally include the following:1. Overview of the research: One sentence briefly telling what was done (topic sentence).2. Population/Sample: States the people/subjects studied, or the things tested.3. Lo
8、cation: Where the study took place.4. Restrictions/Limiting Conditions: Precautions taken to make sure the data is valid.5. Sampling Techniques: Describes how the subjects were selected for the study.6. Materials: Describes the materials used to conduct the study.7. Procedures: States the steps of t
9、he study/experiment in chronological order.8. Statistical Treatment: Describes how the results were analyzed.The passive voice will be used for your research paper for this reason: The passive voice is usually used to describe procedure in order to depersonalize the information. Passive construction
10、 allows you to omit the use of “I” or “We” (the agent) and places the emphasis on the procedure and how it was done.Examples of active and passive voices are shown here:ACTIVE: We applied stress to the rubber segments in gradually increasing amounts.PASSIVE: Stress was applied to the rubber segments
11、 in gradually increasing amounts.RESULTS. (From San Francisco Edit)The purpose of a Results section is to present the key results of your research without interpreting their meaning. The results should be presented in an orderly sequence, using an outline as a guide for writing and following the seq
12、uence of the Methods section upon which the results are based. For every result there must be a method in the Methods section. It is important to carefully plan the tables and figures to ensure that they tell a story.1. Determine which results to present by deciding which are relevant to the questio
13、n(s) presented in the Introduction. The Results section does not need to include every result you obtained or observed.2. Organize the data in the Results section in either chronological order according to the Methods or in order of most to least important.3. Determine whether the data are best pres
14、ented in the form of text, figures, graphs, or tables.4. Summarize your findings. The text should complement the figures or tables, not repeat the same information.5. Make sure that the data are accurate and consistent throughout the paper.6. Use the past tense when you refer to your results.7. Numb
15、er figures and tables consecutively in the same sequence they are mentioned in the text.8. Write with accuracy, brevity, and clarity.DISCUSSION. Function. The discussion should summarize what you have learned from your research. Interpret your results in light of what is already known about the subj
16、ect you have researched. Explain the meaning of your results and then make your points that support them. Refer back to the statements you made in your introduction. Your discussion should be organized so that it relates directly to your thesis (what you are trying to prove or show). Do not simply repeat the introduction, but rather move the reader for
