When writing a research paper, what kind of question would set up a successful paper?
Research papers were always annoying to write, but over the years I've wrote many so I have actually become quite accustomed to writing them. One of the main points in a research paper is having a good discussion question. These questions will help the writer figure out what should and shouldn't be included in his/her paper. Of course if a person is forced to write about a subject that they are familiar with, then providing background information shouldn't be hard. When students are asked to write a research paper that they know little information on, then the task becomes much more challenging. However, with research, it allows the student to become open minded and that helps the writing process dramatically. When students actually research the subject and then become familiar with it they can finally come up with a question. "A well phrased question does not imply one particular answer or answer or viewpoint; it invites us to test many possible answers against one another and against our own experiences" (Composing, 162). This is what's great about research papers, they can sometimes force people to think in different kinds of perspectives and in doing so, the researcher learns something new and even becomes a little wiser in the process.
Nader, R. Writing in communities: Academic research and social action. (2nd ed., pp. 156-170).