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Every year, numerous applicants apply to prestigious universities in the US. Among these applicants, the key to standing out lies in differentiating oneself beyond just high scores. A powerful way to achieve this is through a research paper written during high school, which showcases a student's knowledge, passion, and creativity comprehensively. Let's discuss how to write a high school research paper that stands out.



Writing a Compelling High School Research Paper
 

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is an excellent tool for demonstrating students' autonomy, investigative skills, and academic ambition. Although the term 'paper' might seem daunting, it's essentially a specialized piece of writing on new knowledge. With a basic understanding of the methodology, anyone can craft an appealing research paper for US college admissions.


Step 1. Choose a Good Topic

A good research topic is essential for producing a good paper. The topic not only marks the starting point but is the research itself. So what makes a good topic? A good topic is one that sparks debates and counterarguments, one that anyone would want to make a new claim and convince the other. If it's a hot topic where debates are happening in academia or everyday life, admission officers and professors will naturally be interested in the student's research paper. Moreover, once you have a good topic, tasks like hypothesis formation and experiment design become much easier, leading to the creation of novel ideas. However, if you still find it hard to grasp, try selecting one object or subject that is related to yourself. Once you've selected an object, take time to think about it from various angles and ask questions.

Step 2. Add Persuasion to the Paper

Once you've chosen a research topic, you need to write a research paper. The topic of research is endless, but the rules for writing a good research paper are finite. If the methods below for writing a good research paper were well applied to your research, even a high school student could complete a formal research paper.

3 Key methods for a good research paper:

   - Provide clear and detailed ideas.

   - Conduct thorough literature research.

   - Prioritize evidence over opinion.


Step 3. Draft Structure and Outline

The structure and outline of a paper are crucial. If you find it difficult to think about the structure, imagine explaining your ideas to a younger sibling who knows nothing about the topic. This exercise helps you understand where to start with background knowledge and what logical progression to follow. Actually trying this approach is also helpful. If your sibling asks "Why?" or says "I don't understand," use their questions to review and refine the structure and content of your paper.