Writing an AP Research Paper

Writing an AP Research PaperWhy are you doing AP research papers if your subject is so important and you are so passionate about? If you know what you know and do not know what you do not know, your AP research paper may never get done.You should first have a clear idea of what your scholarship boards are looking for when they are reviewing your application. These look for four things: new research ideas, an understanding of the best practices for a new topic, learning about the most popular course offerings in the area, and a clear understanding of your career goals. Your AP research paper should start out by answering all these questions and work towards explaining why you think that your essay will make a significant contribution to your scholarship consideration.The first thing to keep in mind in writing the AP research paper is that it should be written in a clear and objective way. Your students will not want to read an essay that begins with a personal opinion or statements th at are inflammatory or mean-spirited.It also needs to begin with a general perspective, so that students can relate it to their own. You must start by articulating why you feel that you will bring a valuable perspective to your topic. This starts with your belief in the worth of the topic.For example, you could say, 'I believe that students in this field have the potential to solve important problems, and I will use my expertise to research this subject to help students learn more about what they are learning.' This demonstrates that you have a strong belief in your abilities, and then a desire to give students an overall view of your knowledge about the subject.Next, you need to explain your understanding of the best practices for researching a new topic, particularly since you already know what you want to do. It also helps to show how your expertise in the area will add value to your students' research.If you take all these steps in writing your AP research paper, you will set yo urself apart from the other scholarship board members who might read it. But remember that all scholarship board members are the same. Your job is to write about what you know and not what you would like them to know.