When writing a research paper statement you first need to identify what style of academic paper you will be using. For example, you may wish to use analytical, exploratory or argumentative essay styles; alternatively, there are various other styles that you may wish to use, such as narrative or informative.
The style that you choose will influence what kind of statement you need to make. For example, for an analytical paper you will base your statement on identifying various processes and how they work, whereas an argumentative paper will require a statement that outlines a certain point of view.
Your research paper statement is an integral part of the academic paper and is used to outline what direction the rest of the essay will intend to take. Therefore, it is important that it is relatively close to the beginning of the paper and, in fact, should be included by the end of the first paragraph of the essay.
The statement needs to discuss what the aims of your paper will be, as well as providing some specific forms of related evidence to support what you are saying. As a result, it should be written with complete clarity in mind, so that it is direct and clear for the reader to understand what it is that you are trying to tell them.
Essentially, you don’t want there to be any confusion as to what your aims are; instead, you want the reader to have a good understanding of what to expect from the rest of the essay by reading your research paper statement.
You can write a research paper statement early on, before writing any arguments or other points that you wish to bring up, as well as the conclusion. However, do be prepared to make any necessary adjustments as the writing process progresses.
It is not uncommon for students to have to make small alterations to their statement, as a result of new evidence coming to light, or any other important factors that have changed the direction or aim of the paper that you’re writing in some way.
In fact, it can be a good idea to check over the statement as one of the last things that you do, so as to ensure that it accurately reflects the rest of your paper.