Capstone: Complete Research Paper Draft
Put it all together. Walk through drafting a complete research paper section using every skill from the course.
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The Complete Paper Workflow
In the previous lesson, we covered revision, peer review, and publishing. Now let’s build on that foundation by walking through a complete paper draft using every skill from this course.
You’ve learned each skill individually. This capstone shows how they connect into one coherent workflow.
Your Academic Writing Toolkit
| Lesson | Skill | Role in the Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AI ethics mindset | Guides every interaction with AI |
| 2 | Research questions | Defines the paper’s direction |
| 3 | Literature synthesis | Builds the knowledge foundation |
| 4 | Citation integrity | Ensures credibility and compliance |
| 5 | Thesis and argument | Creates the paper’s backbone |
| 6 | Academic style | Polishes the prose |
| 7 | Revision and publishing | Brings the paper to submission quality |
Capstone Walkthrough
Let’s walk through producing a paper section using the full workflow.
Step 1: Define the Research Question (Lesson 2)
Start with the PICO framework:
- Population: What are you studying?
- Intervention: What variable are you examining?
- Comparison: Compared to what?
- Outcome: What are you measuring?
Example refined question: “How does AI-assisted writing instruction (I) compare to traditional writing instruction (C) in improving academic writing quality (O) among undergraduate students (P)?”
Step 2: Search and Collect (Lesson 2)
Build your Boolean search strings and search systematically. Collect sources in your reference manager. Evaluate relevance using AI assistance.
Step 3: Synthesize the Literature (Lesson 3)
Organize sources thematically, not by author. Map agreements, disagreements, extensions, and gaps. Write synthesis paragraphs that show relationships.
Key transition: The gap you identify in the literature is where your thesis lives.
Step 4: Construct the Argument (Lesson 5)
Write your thesis statement. Outline the argument structure. Choose your reasoning type (deductive, inductive, comparative). Plan where counterarguments fit.
Step 5: Draft with AI Assistance (Lesson 6)
Write section by section, using AI for:
- Generating draft paragraphs you’ll rewrite
- Checking logical flow between sections
- Suggesting transitions
- Improving clarity and style
Critical step: Every AI-generated sentence must be verified, rewritten in your voice, and defensible as your own work.
Quick check: Before moving on, can you recall the key concept we just covered? Try to explain it in your own words before continuing.
Step 6: Verify Every Citation (Lesson 4)
Before revising for style, verify every citation:
- Does this paper actually exist?
- Did the authors actually say what you’re attributing?
- Is the citation formatted correctly?
- Have you read the actual paper (not just the abstract)?
Step 7: Revise in Four Passes (Lesson 7)
- Structure: Does the argument flow?
- Arguments: Is every claim supported?
- Style: Is the writing clear and appropriate?
- Technical: Are citations, formatting, and details correct?
The Introduction Template
Use this structure for your introduction:
Paragraph 1: Hook — Why does this topic matter?
Paragraph 2: Context — What's the current state of knowledge?
Paragraph 3: Gap — What's missing from existing research?
Paragraph 4: Thesis — What do you argue?
Paragraph 5: Overview — How is this paper structured?
AI: Help me draft an introduction for my paper.
Topic: [your topic]
Key context: [main findings from literature review]
Gap: [what's missing in existing research]
Thesis: [your argument]
Draft an introduction that:
- Opens with a compelling reason this topic matters
- Summarizes the state of knowledge in 2-3 sentences
- Clearly articulates the gap
- States my thesis
- Previews the paper structure
Academic discipline: [field]
Target length: 400-500 words
Common Capstone Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Happens | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction doesn’t match paper | You wrote the intro first and the paper evolved | Rewrite the intro last |
| Literature review disconnected from thesis | Review covers the field but doesn’t build to your argument | Every section should connect to your gap |
| Thesis buried on page 8 | Too much background before the main point | State thesis clearly by end of introduction |
| Discussion just repeats results | Unsure how to interpret findings | Discussion should interpret, contextualize, and recommend |
| Conclusion introduces new ideas | Running out of space for thoughts | Conclusion only synthesizes what’s already presented |
Exercise: Draft Your Paper
Complete one full section (introduction or discussion) using the workflow:
- Review your research question, thesis, and key sources
- Outline the section structure
- Draft with AI assistance, section by section
- Verify every citation against the original source
- Revise through all four passes
- Check against your institution’s AI disclosure policy
What’s Next?
Congratulations on completing Academic Writing with AI. Here’s your path forward:
Apply this week: Draft or revise one section of a real paper using this workflow.
Build your citation library: Every paper you read and properly file saves future time.
Practice synthesis: The more literature reviews you write, the easier they become.
Write regularly: Academic writing improves with consistent practice, not sporadic marathons.
Key Takeaways
- The complete workflow connects research questions through synthesis, argumentation, and drafting to submission
- AI assists at every stage, but you provide the intellectual contribution
- Citation verification is the highest-priority quality check in AI-assisted academic writing
- Every section should connect to your thesis—disconnected sections weaken the paper
- Revise in four passes (structure, arguments, style, technical) for thorough improvement
- The skills compound: faster research enables better synthesis, which enables stronger arguments
Knowledge Check
Complete the quiz above first
Lesson completed!