How to Write an English Paper

Even for the most proficient scribes, writing an English paper in school is one of the more tedious acts of writing. While the approach might be interesting--an analysis, odd comparison, creative hypothesis--the style is very much mechanical. Stream-of-consciousness writing can make for incoherent rambling and lost or forgotten references. But too much structure can sacrifice fluidity and sound conclusions. Moreover, it's just boring to read. Using structure to your advantage, however, can make the paper easier to write, more fun to read and, more importantly, better to grade.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Read. Whether comparing two pieces of literature or examining thematic elements of one, have your references ready. Read them and take notes. Familiarize yourself with both the works, and the related text.

2. Make an outline using the information in your head. You don't necessarily have to write it or type it out, but understand your approach ahead of time. The only real standards are that there should be an introduction and a conclusion. The length of those items depends on the length of the paper. The meat, or bulk of the paper should fall in between and associate those two. In the end, your outline could be as simple as 5 bullet points, or more detailed. It's up to you.

3. Prepare your references. After making the outline, you'll have a better idea of which portions of text you'll want to cite or quote. Flip through the pages of your books or other material and mark them--dog-ear them, tab them, whatever works for you.

4. Adjust your outline. After re-reading the literature to find relevant citations, you might come across new information and reveal a different approach or new ideas. If you do, make sure you account for them in your outline. Don't let rich analyses go to waste for comfort's sake.

5. Write the paper. Though stated simply, this is obviously the biggest step. Using your outline as a guide and your marked pages for reference, you should be able to more quickly and fluidly write the paper. You're less likely to lose your train of thought because of hindrances like looking up facts, quotes or information. It should all be at the tip of your fingers.

6. Give fair play to the literature, themes or other text. This is an element of the outlining and writing process. If you're addressing two works, you should not present one first, and the other second. You should approach the more granular themes as such, but not the entire paper. So, rather than one basic structure of A-A-A-A, B-B-B-B, you should strive for A-B, A-B, A-B, A-B. That's a bit simplistic in approach, but you get the idea.

7. Edit the paper. Re-read the paper for any grammar errors. More importantly, though, make sure each point you've made is clear and concise. An idea in one paragraph should transition well into the next. The first and last sentences of paragraphs are important in that regard. Check all citations, references and quotes. Every source should be adequately cited. Avoid plagiarism and foster an air of aptitude in doing so.

8. Construct the bibliography. Properly cite each book, website or interview you may have used for the paper. There are certain MLA standards for this, which you can find online or in the reference section of the library. If you're using footnotes, each footnote should be accounted for in addition to the bibliography citing literature.

Tips & Warnings

• Re-read the involved pieces of literature. Read as many sources or related references as possible. The more familiar you are with the work, the easier it is to write the paper.
• After making the outline, allow for a week to write the paper before it's due. Some can write it in 1 night, but it shouldn't take more than 3 days or so for your average English paper. Giving yourself more time than needed offers extra time for editing, new ideas to present themselves, and preservation of sanity.
• If you hit a roadblock, take a 5-minute walk outside to clear your head.
• Don't procrastinate.
• Don't plagiarize. This is an automatic F in most classrooms. More times than not, it's unintentional, so watch out.