To write a persuasive research paper, it will be necessary to immediately state your thesis at the beginning of the paper so the reader is clear as to what he or she is reading. Then, back up your thesis statement throughout the paper with facts from various scholarly sources. You may also choose to show opposing viewpoints in the paper, just to demonstrate to the reader that you have thoroughly researched all angles and are standing by your opinion.
In a persuasive research paper, your point of view should be abundantly clear; the reader should not need to guess what you are trying to prove. For this reason, it is a good idea to spend time writing a clear introductory paragraph that introduces the topic of the paper as well as provides a clear and concise thesis statement. The entire paper can and should be based off the thesis statement, to make it more cohesive.
It is necessary to gather your research ahead of time for a persuasive research paper. Use scholarly sources such as journals, books, and magazines; all of your information should not come from web sites. Search for facts and expert theories that support your thesis, and you can use those facts or quotes in the research paper to back up your own statements or additional research. In addition, search for opposing viewpoints as well. You may or may not choose to include these in your final paper, but it will make your research more thorough.
Each paragraph in a persuasive research paper should include a main idea that is then supported by facts. It is best to keep to one main idea per paragraph to make it easier to read and understand. Depending on the length of the research paper, there may be a number of main ideas and paragraphs that make up the paper. Each paragraph should generally not include a quote, as it is best to attempt to put research into your own words, being sure to cite sources properly for the idea.
A conclusion paragraph should wrap up the paper and restate the thesis. It should also demonstrate that the research in the paper proves the thesis. A persuasive research paper, as with any research paper, should include a bibliography where all the sources used in the paper are cited. Not citing sources that are used in the paper is plagiarism.
