Research writing
Undergraduate · English / Reading / Writing
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Inquiry and proposal
- Narrow a researchable question
- Conduct preliminary searches and map the conversation
- Write annotated bibliographies
- Draft research proposals with methods/rationale
- Identify gaps, stakes, and audiences
- Plan ethics and attribution from the start
Source work and drafting
- Evaluate sources for credibility and relevance
- Take organized notes with bibliographic data
- Synthesize sources thematically (not source-by-source)
- Build a through-line thesis for a long paper
- Integrate evidence with commentary and signal phrases
- Manage drafts with version control habits
Revision, citation, and presentation
- Restructure for argument clarity using reverse outlines
- Apply required citation style consistently
- Avoid plagiarism, patchwriting, and citation inflation
- Write abstracts and introductions that frame contribution
- Prepare presentations or defense of findings
- Reflect on research process limitations
Notes
May culminate in 10–20 page papers. Tutoring emphasizes question design and synthesis over last-minute citation fixing.