Some Differences Between Writing…
Reports |
Research Papers |
Popular in Elementary / Middle School |
Popular in High School / College |
Usually written about a single subject |
Usually written about an idea |
Records facts from various sources and/or the writer’s thoughts with or without source information…
Who, What, Where, When |
Analyzes a subject with Evidence from various sources that Support the writer’s Opinion…Why & How |
Doesn’t usually include a Thesis |
Must include a Thesis |
Purpose is to Inform |
Purpose is to Convince |
Subject-Based |
Question-Based |
Usually written in the 5 paragraph format: Introduction, Body of 3 main points, Conclusion |
Doesn’t limit the ideas to just 5 paragraphs…as many as needed |
Isn’t necessarily written in a style guide (MLA, APA, etc.) |
Must adhere to a style guide (MLA, APA, ASA, AMA, etc.) |
The Conclusion generally just summarizes what was written |
The Conclusion should do more than this…build on what was written, provide next steps, reflect |
Usually doesn’t introduce a counter argument
| Usually provides and argues counter arguments |
Repetition is encouraged: States what will discuss, discusses, states what has discussed |
Repetition is discouraged: Doesn’t repeat what has already been said unless something new is included |
Only states information |
Is trying to prove something |
The writer knows his/her point of the writing before the research starts |
The writer may not know his/her point before the research starts and throughout the research, his/her point may change; also the writer may not clearly know his/her point even during the initial writing and only through starting to write will discover the point |