本课程教授英语论文写作的基本格式，要求学生能对有异义的话题展开讨论，能自如运用，而不仅仅是展示或收集各种资料。本课程的讨论以Stephen Toulmin 的"六点论" 为理论框架，系统介绍概括、综合和评论等写作技能，以及MLA和APA文献资料使用方法。

Research Paper Writing is designed to help students learn to write a research paper, that is, a paper that 1.develops a purposeful position about a controversial topic, 2.uses, not simply displays or assembles, outside sources, and3.helps students work through the research process.Research Paper Writing introduces students to skills of critical reading, note taking, summarizing and the basic strategies of argument, in order to show them how to identify central ideas and techniques as a first step in understanding and analyzing arguments. The discussion, based on the Stephen Toulmin model of claim, warrant, backing, support and qualifier, examines different kinds of arguments, and explores basic argumentative strategies.Research Paper Writing provides guidance in writing effective arguments using a process model and discusses the important points of invention strategies, arriving at a thesis, adapting arguments for different audiences, using an outline, and revising a rough draft.Research Paper Writing introduces students to the methods of inquiry used to generate an argument from sources. The process of writing an argument from sources is covered step by step, including the crucial aspect of finding a question to answer, using the print and computerized resources of the library, evaluating source materials, formulating the working thesis, note-taking procedures, quoting, writing and revising a rough draft, and using both the MLA & APA styles of documentation.Slade, Carole. Form and Style: Research Papers, Reports and Theses, Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000.