Professional Papers.doc

Unit 2 Professional Papers（4hrs） 1. Definition of professional papers A professional paper is a typewritten paper in which professionals present their views and research findings on a chosen topic. It is variously known as the “research paper”, “course paper”, “thesis paper” or “library paper”. Despite the various names, the task of the author of a paper is essentially the same: to read on a particular topic, gather information about it, and report the findings in it. A professional paper can not be written randomly. It must conform to a special format, which governs the entire paper from the placing of the title to the width of the margins, and to the notation used in acknowledging material drawn from other sources. A professional paper differs from other non-professional essays in that it involves the use of library sources from which facts, quotations, and the opinions of others are drawn to explain , support , or authenticate ideas in the paper. These sources are identified by numbered notes, places at the end of the paper or at the bottom of the page. A professional paper usually concludes with a bibliography, and an alphabetical list of all sources cited. 2.Classification of professional papers The four kinds of papers usually assigned in universities and colleges are (1) report papers; (2) research papers; (3) course papers, and (4) thesis papers. 1) Report Paper The report paper summarizes and reports the findings of an other on a particular subject. The writer neither judges nor evaluates the findings, but merely catalogs them in a sensible sequence. For instance, a paper that listed the opinions of statesmen during the debate over a certain event would be a report paper. Likewise, a paper that chronologically narrated the final days od a personality would also be called a report paper. 2) Research paper A research paper can be intelligent, well informed, interesting, and original in its conclusions. It draws its material from many sources and aims