Most young people dream of college enrollment because higher education can open many doors and help them succeed. However, a few of them think of the high workload they will face in their academic institutions. Depending on the chosen major, students get various assignments, and writing an essay is one of the most common types of homework young people deal with. If you study anthropology, for example, you will have to deliver the paperwork within the specialty. Today, we'll discuss how to write an A-worthy research paper exactly in this major.
As you know, anthropology deals with key issues of human existence in various aspects and is more known as 'the study of humanity.' Hence, it is not surprising that it is so multifaceted that you can approach it differently. For instance, you may work on cultural anthropology research paper topics. In this case, you will study the connection between culture and humans. However, you may get an assignment to work in its other key subfields: physical/biological, linguistic, philosophical anthropology, or archaeology. Writing such a paper can become a brand-new experience for students if they are rookies in this subject. If you want to succeed, you will have to reject your perception of the world and its main working principles. In other words, you should define and understand cultural differences without the involvement of your ego.
Things You Will Have to Deal in Your Paper
If you examine any decent anthropology research paper example , you will see that it aims to deal with a range of things. Thus, if you want to deliver a high-grade essay, you should consider all these moments too. Otherwise, your professor will hardly assess it the way you would like it to. So pay attention to the next things:
- you should critically question cultural practices, whether it comes to your own or foreign cultures;
- you should analyze ethnographic info (everything connected with day-to-day events, activities, interviews) to track crucial, interesting, and unusual patterns;
- you should search for ethnographic and other types of evidence (newspapers, official surveys, historical records, etc.) to describe, examine, analyze a phenomenon, or a cultural or social issue, and back up your arguments;
- you should challenge the theoretical standpoint to ensure it is worthwhile in cultural aspects.
How to Choose a Topic for Your Research Paper
When you are new to a research area, it can be hard to select the right topic, and it doesn't even matter what major we are talking about. Anthropology is a multifaceted field, but every aspect has something to do with human activity and its impact on people. Thus, if you don't know what to write about, you can reflect on how your study area influences humans. The key to success is to hit a happy medium, so in other words, your theme should be neither too broad nor too narrow. If you need to work on a subject, which is not your cup of tea, you can follow the next tips:
- Examine all the requirements for your assignment to understand what points you should involve in your paper. If you lack some info, turn to your professor.
- Devote time to background research on the theme you are interested in since it will help you form an initial opinion and clarify whether you are ready to work on it in the long run.
- Turn your curriculum and books into an inspiration source.
- Determine key aspects and phrases while doing your research to utilize them later when working on your topic.
- Create a research question that covers the fundamental concepts you want to examine.
- Change your research question, if necessary, when getting to the subject's bottom.
- Don't dwell on anthropological databases but broaden your horizons.
Thus, for example, your physical anthropology research paper topics will be about human evolution, human variation, its crucial meaning, and biological fundamentals of human behavior.
Anthropology Research Paper Outline
When it comes to working on an academic project, you will hardly do without a proper outline if you want to get the highest grade, of course. The thing is that a research paper involves a big flow of information, so it is not a big deal to miss something out or get off course. You can always get back to your outline and add some new points, so it is worth starting with its backbone. Thus, you will have a whole picture in front of your eyes, so you will not clog your paper with excessive details as well. An outline is a great tool to write more effectively, faster, and sensibly. Anthropology is a complicated subject from different perspectives, and the foundation of your essay will also depend on the anthropological branch you are dealing with. For example, suppose your topic is about forensic anthropology. In this case, your outline may look the following way:
- Introduction.
1.1. What is forensic anthropology?
1.2. Key principles of forensic anthropology.
1.3. Thesis statement.
- First body paragraph: Global situation in forensic anthropology.
2.1. Fundamental issues in the field.
2.2. Social conditions of forensic anthropology.
- Second body paragraph: Situation in the US forensic anthropology.
3.1. Problems that US specialists face in the forensic anthropology field.
3.2. Latest changes in the area.
- Third body paragraph: Solution-oriented approach for forensic anthropology gaps.
4.1. Ways of examining forensic anthropology sectors.
4.2. International connection.
- Conclusion.
How to Write an Anthropology Paper Thesis Statement
Every aspect of your research paper is important, but the introduction plays a crucial role since your readers decide whether they will continue reading your paper further at this stage. You should involve some attention grabbers to keep their interest. The introduction makes it clear what a person will deal with, so you should make sure to include the theme's background info, methods of discussion, and the main purpose of the paper. The thesis statement becomes a cherry on the pie. If you fail to provide your audience with enough information on the subject, they may fill in the gaps themselves. It increases the likelihood of misunderstandings. You should create a solid thesis statement to make your paper sound powerful and confident. The following tips may help you achieve the goal:
- Thesis statement must involve only one key idea. Otherwise, you may confuse your audience and deprive your paper of a strong focus. In this case, you can hardly count on an A-grade.
- It should demonstrate that you take a stand and justify the following discussions. Your readers shouldn't doubt that you have carefully investigated, analyzed, and researched the topic, so your conclusion is backed up with strong facts. Experts say a win-win option is to provide a thesis statement that may challenge your readers and raise disagreement.
- You should narrow it down, focusing on a specific area of research. Otherwise, you will hardly create a well-crafted paper. However, bear in mind that an extremely narrowed statement may prevent you from providing enough solid info on the theme. The length of a research paper can serve as a guideline.
- It is worth making it flexible, so you can bring changes at any research stage to make it more powerful. You never know where analysis and background research may take you.
How to Write Body Paragraphs of Your Research Paper
This stage requires a well-tailored outline since it is easy to miss out on something important. Your body paragraphs reveal the essence of your research and back up your thesis statement. They should flow smoothly and logically, so the whole text looks holistic. If you decide to utilize someone's thoughts, make sure to cite the source with the help of quotation marks properly. It would be useful to write down all the demanded information about the source on the reference list. Besides, pay attention that paraphrasing requires the same approach, so don't turn a blind eye to it.
Talking about the writing style, it is always preferable to utilize the active voice. Your writing must be precise and clear, so your readers don't have to reread the text repeatedly to get the point. When it comes to writing a research paper in Anthropology, it is worth using graphics, charts, figures, etc. These elements play an important role since they strengthen your style and demonstrate your findings and methods utilized in a better light.
Describe Your Research Methods
You should clarify how you have carried out the experiment and how you have selected certain experimental tools. Furthermore, it is worth describing crucial actions made to address the question. Besides, don't forget that it is important to talk about the methods utilized for analyzing the results.
Provide the Results
The main purpose of any research is to find the results within the subject discussed. To achieve the goal, you should provide your findings, adhering to the chosen method. When you need to present some data, you can resort to charts, graphs, and other possible figures. Your readers would like to know how you have gathered information and chosen the experiment's participants. Make sure that all the data provided correspond to the key research question. You can also provide secondary findings.
Create an Impressive Conclusion
Many students who work on research papers lose their enthusiasm when it comes to the conclusion since they believe the whole scope of work has been done before it. However, this part defines what aftertaste your paper will leave, so it is not worth relaxing halfway. It should represent a different section of your project that requires no less attention than all previous ones. You should paraphrase your thesis statement and remind your target audience why you have selected the theme. Highlight the significance of such a work in a broad sense and summarize methods utilized to provide the findings. Finally, you can mention how the study can be improved in the long run.
Polish Your Paper
When the research is over, and you have finished the last period, it is worth putting aside your paper for some time and clearing your head. Your eyes can be blurred due to constant work with text, so you can leave some mistakes unnoticed. Revision and editing are important parts of writing an A-worthy paper. You should make sure that your essay is easy to get, even if this theme is not a person's cup of tea. Don't deceive yourself with a thought that you create this work for your professor only, so they can read between the lines if something. Anthropology research papers cover relevant topics and need special attention on your part. You should check everything for grammar, stylistic, and punctuation mistakes to ensure you will not get a lower grade because of your negligence and laziness. When the biggest part of work is done, you should bring it to perfection.
How to Write an Anthropology Research Paper: Useful Tips
If you get an assignment to write a research paper, you should treat it seriously and allocate enough time for its delivery. The following tips may come in handy, especially if you are a rookie in this regard. You can keep them in front of your eyes to make sure you will not miss anything:
- make sure to utilize only credible sources that can back up your ideas and thesis statement;
- keep your thesis statement in mind all the time, so you can better determine what books and articles will be suitable to support your arguments;
- anthropology suggests including your ideas and thoughts in writing, even though only outside sources can make your paper look powerful;
- follow citation rules in accordance with the chosen format;
- working on your thesis statement and arguments, approach them from different sides. In other words, you should try to imagine how a person with an opposite viewpoint will perceive it;
- anthropology doesn't go well with superlative statements that involve such words as 'worst,' 'best,' 'never,' 'nobody,' 'always,' etc. Hence, it is better to avoid them since the human race doesn't deal with anything black or white only;
- whatever type of anthropology you are working on, make sure your topic is catchy and thought-provoking;
- examine ready-made papers in anthropology within the area of study if you lack inspiration;
- all your theories proposed should be grounded and not leave room for doubts. Thus, if you cannot find required sources on the internet, it is worth popping in a usual library;
- all your ideas should be well-crafted and understandable. If it seems to you that something is wrong with any part of your text, make adjustments;
- if you utilize rare or complicated terms, make sure to explain them properly;
- all your paragraphs should go smoothly, so it is worth involving transitional sentences;
- bear in mind that you should utilize the Chicago citation format when working on anthropology research papers.