How to Write a College-Level Anthropology Research Paper

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Last modified on March 30th, 2023

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Anthropology Research Paper

Purpose of writing an anthropology research paper

Anthropologists study people’s diversity in every culture and societies that exist in the world. The purpose of writing your college-level anthropology research paper is to amidst the variety of interests as there exists a need for some rules for debate and communication. The trick in anthropology research paper writing is specializing in each of the anthropological fields – biological, socio-cultural, linguistic, and archeology – when selecting a topic.
Naturally, the features of your college-level anthropology research paper are:

  1. Introduction – Here, you (the essayist) should succinctly introduce your topic. Your introduction should be formed engagingly to effectively capture your reader’s attention and further convince them to read on and not disregard your work.
  2. Body Paragraphs – Your anthropology research paper has a body, and the body is constructed of paragraphs. Each body paragraph significantly adds to the formation of your argument. Through your body paragraphs, you answer the given question or respond to the given topic by establishing a discussion, demonstrating your knowledge of items read and presenting evidence along with exposition to back your argument.
  3. Conclusion – Your conclusion re-introduces your thesis; nonetheless, your conclusion is not composed by simple rephrasing. Instead, your conclusion involves combining evidence asserted in your essay’s body-paragraphs with your thesis. Never introduce new information in your conclusion. Your conclusion ultimately convinces your reader of your stance; therefore, construct it wisely by utilizing sound logic.

How to start

Successful research paper writing never involves raising your own opinion about matters of questions. It entails reviewing existing literature and theories in the area of study. Therefore, it is critical to read widely: read research papers, books, and journal articles discussing matters relating to the topic in question. Even though reviewing existing literature seems tedious it is vital and time-trimming. Knowing more about the background of your chosen topic aids you in developing a more efficient research. Select a topic that genuinely interests you: selecting a topic that interest you makes your research more engaging, fun, and simpler to work on. Outline before you start writing: establish how you will organize your anthropology research paper. Outline several sections and write keywords which will help you understand what each part is about. You can also write some citations down which will form your reference list so that you will not forget the sources you have quoted.

How to write the introduction with the thesis statement

Your introduction serves as your paper’s ‘map,’ indicating to your reader the points and arguments which will be expounded on in your body-paragraphs. When composing the introduction to your anthropology research paper, begin with something attention-grabbing. This can be an outstanding fact, an exciting anecdote, or a relevant quote from an expert. Be general before you shift to specifics. As a writer, you must provide necessary information and some background to you reader regarding the subject you are covering. Start with a broader topic then narrow it down to a specific topic. After providing your reader with some background, use your introduction to outline your discussion. Lay out main arguments and points ideally in the sequence you will follow when elaborating on them. Incorporate a thesis statement in your introduction which is a concise summary of your research paper’s main claim or point.

How to write body paragraphs

Upon the completion of your introduction, you will now compose your research’s body-paragraphs. Here you will elaborate on the main points and arguments as stated in your introduction. Each of your research’s body-paragraphs must start with a topic sentence. A topic sentence successfully starts your body paragraphs off and serves to unify the contents in your paragraphs. Everything included in your body-paragraphs must relate to your topic sentences. Your body-paragraphs should incorporate supporting detail in the form of statistics, expert quotes, and examples. Concisely, begin your body paragraphs with a topic sentence, followed by textual evidence, and conclude with an ending/closing thought and a good transition point.

How to finish the paper

After composing your research’s introduction and body-paragraphs, you will now end your research by composing a conclusion. Conclude your research paper by restating your paper’s main ideas, summarizing the sub-points of your paper, and imparting an interesting final impression on your reader. No new information is to be introduced here.

Tips on revision

One critical part of your anthropology research paper is the revision process. Begin by editing and proofreading; that is, correcting major spelling and grammar mistakes, looking for typos, and obvious misconceptions in semantics and style. Cite your paper, but not extensively. Keep your format simple and plain. Check your conclusion (does it tie the paper together?). Ensure the aim of your paper is shown and not told.

Outline sample

I. Introduction

I. Introduction

  • Hook/attention getter
  • One-two sentence declaration (thesis statement)

II. Body Paragraphs

  • First paragraph: Topic sentence
  • Expansion of body sentence to form a paragraph
  • Second paragraph: Topic sentence
  • Expansion of body sentence to form a paragraph
  • Third paragraph: Topic sentence
  • Expansion of body sentence to form a paragraph

III. Conclusion

  • Rephrasing the thesis
  • Summing up main ideas

College-level anthropology research paper (Sample)

I. Introduction

Since my childhood days, I saw myself as a writer; more specifically a poet. My desired and chosen profession, which is linguistic anthropology, will benefit me highly compared to other anthropological fields. In citation to the California State University’s Department of Anthropology, “Linguistic anthropologists are highly fascinated by how many languages exist, how the existing languages are distributed worldwide, and their historical and contemporary relationships.”
II. Body Paragraphs

1st body paragraph

Linguistic anthropologists are further fascinated by language variation, why language variation exists, how the variations are utilized, and their meaning when utilized in various contexts. To truly become a successful writer, I believe one must explore the world and witness how people communicate differently from how they do, i.e., how they form their verbs and such on a regular basis.

2nd body paragraph

The more one knows about a language and a culture, the simpler it becomes to establish a setting and form a character’s personality founded on a dialect type. A fitting illustration of this is my love and interest for the French language which I studied for four years in high school. Laura Lawless describes the differences between the French and English languages. “In a sense, French and English are associated because French is a language derived from Latin with English and German influence, while English is a language derived from German with French and Latin influence. Thus similarities exist between them, particularly the same alphabet and some true cognates.

3rd body paragraph

The above two languages differ when it comes to unstressed and stressed syllabuses. The English stress syllables in every word whereas the French stress at each rhythmic group’s end. English verbs are utilized without prepositions, whereas French verbs are utilized with prepositions. A cultural lens proves advantageous in linguistic anthropology because as a writer, walking in another’s shoes and viewing the universe as they do cultivate humanity.

III. Conclusion

Cultural and historical details further deepen one’s character and add emotional intensity. Awareness paves the way for understanding. To obtain a true feeling of the subject one is writing on, the writer or poet must study and submerge themselves into a given culture in all possible ways.

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