You did it! You gathered relevant sources and created detailed research notes, and now you are ready to start your rough draft. Use the helpful tips and strategies from this lesson to guide you in transforming your notes into a report. Don’t forget to create an outline, add detail, incorporate transitions, and use the checklist provided below. Your report should be several paragraphs and 1–2 pages long.

Rough Draft
Draft a report that answers your research question in detail, incorporating information and direct quotes from your sources. Make sure your paragraphs are well organized.

When you are done writing your rough draft, use the provided checklist to make sure you included the key report components in your research report.

Your research report stays on topic—with no distracting or irrelevant facts, and your research question is clearly and completely answered by the facts and examples in your report.Your research report is well organized and includes transitions that help readers follow the flow of ideas from start to finish. Each of your paragraphs focuses on a single topic or supporting idea.Your report’s introduction announces your topic clearly and includes details that grab readers’ attention and make them want to read more.Your research report ends with a strong conclusion that sums up your main ideas and also explains why the information in the report is relevant and should matter to readers.