Choose a topic. You may need to discuss your topic with your teacher or professor, or you may be given a specific subject about which to write. If possible, choose a topic that interests you and that is specific. For example, the subject "Politics" is too broad; instead limit your research to "Elizabethan Politics." Brainstorm ideas and write them down before choosing your final topic.
Determine what your research question is, or what you want to answer with the information in your paper. For example, you can ask yourself "Why did Queen Elizabeth's reign change politics in England?" This question will help you write your thesis statement, which will be the basis of your paper.
Perform research and find information. If you have your topic and you know what question you want to answer, you can find specific information regarding your subject. Use books and magazine articles as well as resources from the Internet. Be wary of Internet resources and search for reliable information (websites with .gov or .edu domain extensions tend to be more consistent).
Write your thesis statement. This statement should be one sentence, and all information in the body of your paper should refer back to your thesis. Most research papers present an argument, so you want to prove your opinion in your paper. Your thesis should clearly state your argument. For example, you could write "Queen Elizabeth is responsible for the growth of capitalism and industry in England and colonization of the Western Hemisphere."
Write an outline for your paper. Decide which points you want to make and separate them into body paragraphs of your paper. You may want to make notes about your resources and where you will use them in your paper. Include the headings "Introduction," "Body" and "Conclusion" in your outline.
Write a rough draft of your paper. Many research papers have to go through pre-writing and editing before they are completed. Make your arguments clear and concise and present information in a logical manner. Use formal writing style, so avoid colloquial language. You should begin with an introduction that ends in your thesis, followed by body paragraphs, and end with a conclusion that also restates your thesis.
Edit your paper as necessary. Check all your resources and citations for accuracy and put together a works cited or references page. Proofread your paper or have someone else do it for you; you do not want typos or poor grammar in your paper. Read your final draft to ensure it is exactly how you want it.