Phase 3: Writing the Paper

Length requirement

The completed paper must be no less than 15 pages when formatted (see formatting.md):

1-inch margins, 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced
At 250–300 words per page, this means 3,750–4,500+ words of body text
Do not pad — achieve length through depth, evidence, and analysis

Section-by-section writing guide

Title

Concise, descriptive, 10–15 words
Reflects the thesis and scope
No abbreviations

Abstract (250–300 words)

Write last, but place first. Must include:

Background (1–2 sentences)
Problem statement (1 sentence)
Methodology summary (1–2 sentences)
Key findings (2–3 sentences)
Conclusion/implications (1–2 sentences)
4–6 keywords on a new line: Keywords: word1, word2, word3

1. Introduction & Problem Statement (~600–800 words)

Open with a compelling hook (statistic, question, or bold claim)
Provide background context — what is known, what is the landscape
Clearly state the problem: what gap, challenge, or question exists
State research objectives or questions (numbered list is acceptable)
Explain the significance: why does this matter, who is affected
End with the thesis statement (clearly labeled or naturally placed as the final paragraph)

2. Literature Review (~900–1,200 words)

Synthesize existing research — do NOT just summarize each source one by one
Organize thematically (by concept, debate, or chronological development)
Cite sources inline using APA in-text format: (Author, Year) or Author (Year)
Identify at least 2 clear gaps or limitations in existing research
End with a paragraph explaining how this paper addresses those gaps
Use at least 4 of your sources here

3. Methodology (~600–800 words)

Describe the research design (qualitative, quantitative, mixed, review-based, etc.)
Explain data sources: what was analyzed, where it came from
Describe the analytical framework or approach used
Justify methodological choices — why this approach fits the research question
Acknowledge limitations of the methodology honestly

4. Results & Analysis (~900–1,200 words)

Present findings organized by research question or theme
Use specific evidence: statistics, quotes (max 30 words verbatim), data points
Cite every piece of evidence: (Author, Year, p. X) for direct quotes
Include at least 3 distinct findings
Analyze each finding — don't just report, interpret
Use subheadings for each major finding

5. Discussion & Conclusion (~700–900 words)

Discussion:

Interpret results in light of the thesis
Connect findings back to the literature review
Explain what the findings mean for theory and practice
Address any unexpected or contradictory findings

Limitations:

Be honest about scope, data, or methodological constraints
1 paragraph

Future Research:

Suggest 2–3 specific directions for follow-up studies
1 paragraph

Conclusion:

Restate the thesis (in new words)
Summarize the 3 main findings
End with a strong closing statement about broader significance
Do NOT introduce new information here

References

List all cited sources in APA 7th edition format
Alphabetical by first author's last name
Hanging indent format (first line flush, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inch)
Minimum 5 entries

Writing quality standards

Academic tone: formal, objective, third-person (avoid "I think", "we believe")
Precision: use exact terms, define jargon on first use
Evidence-based: every major claim must be supported by a citation
Transitions: use clear transitions between sections and paragraphs
No plagiarism: paraphrase and synthesize; never reproduce more than 30 consecutive words from any source
Hedging where appropriate: use "suggests", "indicates", "may", "appears to" for uncertain claims

In-text citation format (APA 7th)

Paraphrase: (Author, Year)
Direct quote: (Author, Year, p. X)
Two authors: (Author & Author, Year)
Three or more: (Author et al., Year)

Phase 3: Writing the Paper

Length requirement

The completed paper must be no less than 15 pages when formatted (see formatting.md):

1-inch margins, 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced
At 250–300 words per page, this means 3,750–4,500+ words of body text
Do not pad — achieve length through depth, evidence, and analysis

Section-by-section writing guide

Title

Concise, descriptive, 10–15 words
Reflects the thesis and scope
No abbreviations

Abstract (250–300 words)

Write last, but place first. Must include:

Background (1–2 sentences)
Problem statement (1 sentence)
Methodology summary (1–2 sentences)
Key findings (2–3 sentences)
Conclusion/implications (1–2 sentences)
4–6 keywords on a new line: Keywords: word1, word2, word3

1. Introduction & Problem Statement (~600–800 words)

Open with a compelling hook (statistic, question, or bold claim)
Provide background context — what is known, what is the landscape
Clearly state the problem: what gap, challenge, or question exists
State research objectives or questions (numbered list is acceptable)
Explain the significance: why does this matter, who is affected
End with the thesis statement (clearly labeled or naturally placed as the final paragraph)

2. Literature Review (~900–1,200 words)

Synthesize existing research — do NOT just summarize each source one by one
Organize thematically (by concept, debate, or chronological development)
Cite sources inline using APA in-text format: (Author, Year) or Author (Year)
Identify at least 2 clear gaps or limitations in existing research
End with a paragraph explaining how this paper addresses those gaps
Use at least 4 of your sources here

3. Methodology (~600–800 words)

Describe the research design (qualitative, quantitative, mixed, review-based, etc.)
Explain data sources: what was analyzed, where it came from
Describe the analytical framework or approach used
Justify methodological choices — why this approach fits the research question
Acknowledge limitations of the methodology honestly

4. Results & Analysis (~900–1,200 words)

Present findings organized by research question or theme
Use specific evidence: statistics, quotes (max 30 words verbatim), data points
Cite every piece of evidence: (Author, Year, p. X) for direct quotes
Include at least 3 distinct findings
Analyze each finding — don't just report, interpret
Use subheadings for each major finding

5. Discussion & Conclusion (~700–900 words)

Discussion:

Interpret results in light of the thesis
Connect findings back to the literature review
Explain what the findings mean for theory and practice
Address any unexpected or contradictory findings

Limitations:

Be honest about scope, data, or methodological constraints
1 paragraph

Future Research:

Suggest 2–3 specific directions for follow-up studies
1 paragraph

Conclusion:

Restate the thesis (in new words)
Summarize the 3 main findings
End with a strong closing statement about broader significance
Do NOT introduce new information here

References

List all cited sources in APA 7th edition format
Alphabetical by first author's last name
Hanging indent format (first line flush, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inch)
Minimum 5 entries

Writing quality standards

Academic tone: formal, objective, third-person (avoid "I think", "we believe")
Precision: use exact terms, define jargon on first use
Evidence-based: every major claim must be supported by a citation
Transitions: use clear transitions between sections and paragraphs
No plagiarism: paraphrase and synthesize; never reproduce more than 30 consecutive words from any source
Hedging where appropriate: use "suggests", "indicates", "may", "appears to" for uncertain claims

In-text citation format (APA 7th)

Paraphrase: (Author, Year)
Direct quote: (Author, Year, p. X)
Two authors: (Author & Author, Year)
Three or more: (Author et al., Year)

writing

Additional Files (4)

Phase 3: Writing the Paper

Length requirement

Section-by-section writing guide

Title

Abstract (250–300 words)

1. Introduction & Problem Statement (~600–800 words)

2. Literature Review (~900–1,200 words)

3. Methodology (~600–800 words)

4. Results & Analysis (~900–1,200 words)

5. Discussion & Conclusion (~700–900 words)

References

Writing quality standards

In-text citation format (APA 7th)

Related Skills

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Frontend Typescript Linting.mdc

2. Apply Deepthink Protocol (reason about dependencies

Additional Files (4)

Phase 3: Writing the Paper

Length requirement

Section-by-section writing guide

Title

Abstract (250–300 words)

1. Introduction & Problem Statement (~600–800 words)

2. Literature Review (~900–1,200 words)

3. Methodology (~600–800 words)

4. Results & Analysis (~900–1,200 words)

5. Discussion & Conclusion (~700–900 words)

References

Writing quality standards

In-text citation format (APA 7th)