How to Write a Research Paper
From topic selection to final draft — the structured process that beats staring at the blank page.
What you'll learn
- Picking a narrow, arguable topic
- Reverse-outline before writing
- Drafting fast, revising slow
- Citation hygiene from day one
The mistake most students make
Most students draft and revise simultaneously. Drafting requires permission to write badly; revision requires honesty about what's not working. Doing both kills both.
How Fennie helps
Fennie helps with outlining, source review, and revision feedback — without writing the paper for you (which would defeat the point).
Step by step
- 01Narrow your topic to something arguable, not just a topic
- 02Build a working bibliography of 10-15 sources before drafting
- 03Reverse-outline: write your argument as a 1-page outline first
- 04Draft fast — bad draft beats no draft
- 05Revise in passes: argument first, then evidence, then prose
FAQ
How long should I spend per section?
Roughly: 30% planning/research, 30% drafting, 40% revising. Most students invert this and produce weaker papers.
When should I start citing?
From the first quote. Going back to find sources is the #1 cause of late-paper panic.
Does Fennie write papers?
No — Fennie reviews outlines and drafts, helps with revision, and answers research questions. Writing it for you defeats the assignment.
Apply this with Fennie
Fennie generates Daily Plans that build these habits automatically — start free.
Get startedMore Writing guides
How to Write a Lab Report
IMRaD structure, the parts that get graded hardest, and how to write methodology without writing a procedure manual.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Specific, arguable, and supportable — the three qualities every thesis needs, and the templates that produce them.
How to Cite Sources Using AI
Using AI for citation help without falling into hallucinated sources — verify, format, and never trust without checking.
How to Summarize Readings
Producing summaries that capture the argument, not just the topics — and using them to study and write.