Research Paper Writing: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

Ashley Denh

Each year, Hopkins students enrolled in the core Atlantic Communities (AC) history classes are required to write a research paper on a topic of interest. The months-long process entails choosing a topic, conducting research, writing, and workshopping an eight- to twelve-page paper. Given the challenges of this under- taking, members of the Hopkins community offer tips and advice to help students stay ahead of the research paper game.

Each year, Hopkins students enrolled in the core Atlantic Communities (AC) history classes are required to write a research paper on a topic of interest. The months-long process entails choosing a topic, conducting research, writing, and workshopping an eight- to twelve-page paper. Given the challenges of this undertaking, members of the Hopkins community offer tips and advice to help students stay ahead of the research paper game.

Many agree that starting early is key to avoiding unnecessary stress. A late start can easily lead to rushed work, according to Jasper Wong ’27, a student in ACII (soon to be World History: The Long Twentieth Century). He warns, “Some people procrastinate, and that’s not good. You should follow the teacher’s timeline.”
Ilana Lewitton ’26, who is taking the third and final installment of the AC sequence, compared the causes of the first and second intifadas in her research paper. She emphasizes the importance of time management: “Hopkins history teachers give us too much time, so it becomes the bottom of our priority. I recommend everyone start early. Have the first month be the month you write your paper, not the last [before the deadline].”

Finding the right sources can make or break your research paper. The Calarco Library offers a wealth of resources to assist in this process. Andie Hendley ’27, who took ACII over the summer, said, “There are so many resources and books about all topics, and there are so many e-books too.” Jamie Ganter ’27, an ACII student, recommended using JSTOR, a digital library for academic journals: “The best resource to get from the library is JSTOR. They have so many secondary sources, which makes the writing process so much easier.”

Librarians also play a vital role in guiding students through the research process. Calarco Librarian Courtney Jaser said, “[We] help students in much of the research process by teaching research skills in classes, as well as in individual research meetings with students.” Jaser noted that “We can help with topic selection, developing a thesis statement, finding digital and print sources and citations. Our Research Guides are tailored for each class and lay out the research process for students to using class and on their own.” The Calarco library houses over 15,000 books and more than 60 databases. Jaser encouraged students to seek their help whenever needed, adding: “Please ask us if you can’t find the sources you need — we’re here to help!”

A good research question is central to a successful paper, and many students agree that contextualizing your
question is crucial. Vincent Sze ’27, an ACII student, said, “Before picking a research question, I recommend looking through chapter names of your textbook, so you have an overview of all the information. Form your research question from the given information, so you have some basic contextual understanding.”

A well-rounded research paper strikes the right balance between primary and secondary sources. Gavin Li ’30, a student in History 7, initially found “the process of writing a research paper intimidating as you have to read so many sources.” Ava Kwok ’26, an AP United States History student whose research paper topic explored weaponization of accusations of witchcraft, advised, “Start with the books, get as much as possible, then
move on to primary sources.” Kwok also recommends that students hone in on a thesis early in the process: “I suggest doing some preliminary research, but as soon as you get a grasp, make your thesis. Make your body paragraphs when you can, so you’re not doing excessive research. You want to research exactly what you need.”

In an age of misinformation, students must carefully assess their sources to ensure reliability and relevance. History teacher David DeNaples, who teaches History 8 (Classical and Medieval World History), ACII, and the upper-school electives Islam and the Middle East and Russia: Reform, Reaction, Revolution, stress
the importance of critical thinking in the research process: “The most important part of the research paper writing process is identifying credible sources and thinking critically, especially in today’s world.”

In the end, the value of the research paper lies not in the final result, but in the journey — which need not be
a lonely one. Anvi Pathak ’26 said, “I feel like support from the librarians and [history teacher] Megan. Maxwell in finding sources made the whole process smoother and more manageable.” For her part, Maxwell, who teaches AP European History and ACII, said, “The process of research is never linear. Students learn the value of remaining patient through setbacks, planning, and pivoting when those plans don’t achieve the hoped-for results.” Pathak said, “Writing my term paper last year was hard but rewarding. It definitely forced me to stay on top of my work.”

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Research Paper Writing: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques