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Online Guide to Writing and Research The Research Process

Structuring the Research Paper

Informal Research Structure

The informal research paper structure is sometimes used when writing essays or short research pieces; these examples of assignments won’t have as much structure as a formal research paper.  But always make sure to review the assignment instructions or ask for any clarification from the professor regarding structure-specific questions.  You always want to clearly understand what is required of you.    

As a review, the list below are terms used when describing patterns of presenting information that might require a less formal paper structure:

  • problem-cause-solution

  • problem-process-solution

  • discussions of raw data

  • summaries and abstracts

  • critiques

Look here for a refresher on these patterns: Chapter 3, “Thinking Strategies and Writing Patterns” 


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Table of Contents: Online Guide to Writing