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Step 1
Start early. Give yourself plenty of time. Procrastinating until the last minute virtually guarantees sloppy work. It also sets you up for some major trouble if your computer crashes or your printer runs out of ink. Make sure you have a little wiggle room.
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Step 2
Research thoroughly. If it's a book report you're writing, read the entire book, not just the Cliff Notes version. And definitely don't just watch the movie! For other papers, gather information from a variety of sources. If you're using the internet, be sure to use reliable sources. Web sites that end in .org, .gov, or .edu are usually good. Stay away from wikipedia, blogs, and free hosted web sites like angelfire, unless you're prepared to check the information against another, more reliable source. Take notes. Write down web addresses, page numbers, etc. This is especially important if you'll be writing a bibliography or sources page- most instructors insist on this, and it's a good habit to get into even if it's not required.
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Step 3
Develop a solid thesis. The thesis should be stated in your first or second sentence, and should convey the main idea of your paper. This may be the most difficult part of writing a college level paper, but it is also the most crucial element of writing well. Avoid statements that are too vague or general, i.e. "It was a good book." Also avoid ideas that are so complex or obscure you'll have difficulty supporting them convincingly.
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Step 4
After you have developed a good thesis, choose your supporting arguments. Using an outline is one good way of figuring out what you should put where. Or, if you're a less linear thinker, try the "spider" or "cluster" diagram. Draw a big circle on a sheet of paper, and write your main idea inside. Draw smaller circles around the outside, and write your supporting ideas inside them. Additional points relating to these supporting ideas can be written in still smaller circles, and so on. Each supporting argument should be reasonable and easy to explain. It should have a clear connection to your main point. Statistics and quotes from experts lend credibility to your statements.
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Step 5
Write a first, or "rough" draft. After all that reading, note writing, and outlining, you probably have a ton of information inside your head, just dying to get out. Don't resist it! Just sit down and write or type. Follow the outline if possible, but don't worry if you go off on a tangent or go way over your word limit.
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Step 6
Set the paper aside for a few hours or overnight. Do something else. Giving your mind a break from the paper lets you see it more clearly when you re-read it. A phrase you thought was especially witty when you wrote it may seem awkward or even completely inappropriate later. Misspellings and other errors are more apparent after a break as well.
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Step 7
Re-read the paper- CAREFULLY. Don't just skim it. Rephrase any sentences that seem awkward. Delete information that is redundant or not supportive of your thesis. Does the paper "flow"? Is it easy to read? If not, ask yourself why. Rearrange paragraphs so they make more sense. If something can be said with fewer words, shorten it. Simpler is always better. If you're describing a complex idea, or using a lot of technical jargon, ask yourself if your audience will be able to understand it. If not, explain it in layman' s terms.
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Step 8
Spell/grammar check and print. Then have a friend, classmate, or colleague read your paper. Choose someone who will not be shy about giving constructive criticism. English majors are especially good at this! Ask them to tell you if anything is unclear or requires further explanation. Have them check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar, too. Punctuation errors and incorrect words ("too" instead of "two" for example) aren't caught by spell check, and writers are often too close to their own work to proof it accurately. Don't be offended if your reader offers lots of suggestions- that's what you asked them to do, remember? You'll have a better paper because of it.
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Step 9
Rework the paper a third time. This should be your final draft. Consider any comments or suggestions your reader gave you. Do they make sense? Would making those changes result in a better paper? If so, suck it up and make the changes.
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Step 10
Make sure your paper adheres to the proper format. Many instructors require a specific style, such as MLA or APA. If you're not intimately familiar with the style your teacher prefers, grab a style manual from the library or search the web for help. Be especially cautious that your sources are cited correctly, if required. You could get busted for plagiarism if you don't give credit where credit is due. Create your title page, works cited page and/or bibliography, if required. Again, make sure it adheres to proper formatting rules.
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Step 11
Proof one last time. Use your computer's spell check, but remember that it won't catch everything. I once turned in an anthropology paper that had "sexual elations" instead of "sexual relations" as a subheading. Oops! One good trick to make sure you don't miss anything is to read your paper backwards, from the last word to the first. Reading this way forces your brain to pay attention to individual letters and words, instead of phrases, and it's possible to catch mistakes you would otherwise skim over.
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Step 12
Print your paper. Make sure to use high quality, white paper and black ink. Choose "best print quality" to make sure the printing is crisp, dark, and readable. Put it in a folder or manila envelope to keep it crush- and coffee stain-free.
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Step 13
Turn it in. On time! Even the most carefully crafted paper won't get a good grade if you don't meet the deadline.
