To write a music research paper, you must first choose a topic or thesis argument, then conduct research to support your thesis and write a paper based on your findings. Obviously, “music” covers a wide range of topics, so you’ll need to narrow it down to something that you’re interested in. You could write about the history of a particular musical genre, a biography of a composer or other musical artist, music theory, or even a musical instrument, to name a few topics.
After you’ve decided on a topic for your music research paper, you’ll need to write a thesis statement. Most professors do not want a research paper to be merely a “information dump,” in which you simply present a list of facts on a given topic. A music research paper should instead present a specific argument, with your research and facts supporting that argument or presenting an opposing viewpoint. The thesis statement is one of the most crucial parts of a music research paper because it serves as a road map for the rest of your research.
Begin your research after you’ve decided on your thesis statement. To support your thesis, you could look for information in books, periodicals, or the internet. It’s critical to gather enough research; it’s often a good idea to gather more than you think you’ll need just to make sure you have enough to complete your paper. Begin creating an outline once you’ve gathered your research.
A music research paper outline can be extremely useful. Try to divide your outline into paragraphs as you write it. List the paragraph’s main idea, then the supporting arguments and facts you’ll present within the paragraphs. You could also write an introduction paragraph now that gives a general overview of the paper. Always cite your sources and use quotes as needed; even if you rephrase a quote, make sure it is properly cited so that it is clear that it is not your own work.
It should be simple to write the paper once your outline is complete. Keep paragraphs short and to-the-point, and if you get lost, refer to your outline. Finish your paper with a conclusion paragraph; do not begin this paragraph with the phrase “In conclusion,” and do not introduce new ideas. Instead, it should summarize the paper and show how you supported your thesis statement.