How to Write an 'A' Paper

Many students struggle with the difficult and time-consuming task of writing papers for high school and college classes. Sometimes just finding the time to write the paper is daunting enough, let alone having to decide where to begin, what to write, and how to finish. This article will help you get started and give you direction that will help you complete that next homework assignment without too much trouble and with a pleasant result.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with word processing software
• Paper prompt or assignment
• Enough time to organize and write the paper

1. Decide how you are going to approach the paper topic by writing your thesis statement. More than likely you will be analyzing a specific aspect of a novel or other subject. If this is the case, make sure your thesis statement addresses a "how" or "why" question about the topic and does not just summarize or compare and contrast. For example:
   
   GOOD thesis: Both Marlow and Richard must eventually face the fact that their attempts at avoiding reality through Lackey's "theological mentality" only result in the loss of morality and a tolerance of genocide as an acceptable method for maintaining what they thought was their own Eden.
   
   BAD Thesis: Both Marlow and Richard go insane and the end of the books.
2. If it is an argumentative paper based on your opinion, decide what view you are going to defend and define it in your thesis statement. You can be for or against the topic, or you can qualify (I agree with this part, but not that part).
3. Make an outline of your paper. This task is often overlooked but will save you a lot of time when you actually sit down to write the paper. Start with your thesis statement and identify several parts to your argument that you would like to discuss. If you are using sources, include which quotes you would like to use to defend each part of your analysis. This will keep your paper on track when you start writing.
4. Once you are happy with your complete outline, begin writing your paper, starting with the introduction. This is the part of the paper where summary is okay. Briefly discuss the topic you will be writing about and then end the introductory paragraph with your thesis statement. Make the reader want to continue reading your paper. If your introduction is boring to you, it will probably be boring to the reader too.
5. Continue with your paper, using each paragraph to discuss a different aspect of your analysis or a different aspect of the topic. Use transitionary sentences between paragraphs to keep the paper flowing. These sentences should sum up the analysis in the last paragraph and lead into the next paragraph somehow.
6. When you are finished with the body of your paper, start writing your conclusion. Try to avoid using the cliche statement "In conclusion..." at the beginning of your concluding paragraph. The final paragraph should bring in the ideas introduced in the thesis statement, as well as new ideas that may have developed within the body of the paper. This paragraph should tell the reader "So what?" or why they have spent their time reading your paper.
7. Read through your finalized draft and make any changes that you feel are necessary to enhance the quality and flow of your paper.
8. Turn in the completed product and wait for it to be returned with a big, fat 'A' at the top!

Tips & Warnings

• If you begin writing your outline a few days before the paper is due, you can spread out the work over the next few days and reduce the overall stress involved.
• It sometimes helps to have someone else read your paper and give you suggestions that you may not have thought of yourself.
• DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! It can only end bad!