Getting an A on Your Next Paper – Part 1: Preparing to Write Well

Would you like to get an A on your next paper? My focus in this blog is on the topic of “Preparing to Write Well” (in future blogs, I will discuss how to write and edit your paper). When I was doing my thesis, my supervisor told me that the preparation phase is the most important part of the writing process. Here are some tips to help you prepare well:

Tip #1 – Write when your Mind is Fresh

Everyone has creative moments. Of course, we also have moments when the creative flow has been reduced to a trickle. Make the most of the time when your mind is fresh. This could be first thing in the morning or between midnight and 2:00 am. If your paper is due in six hours and your mind is far from fresh, take a 20-minute break to do something that refreshes your mind (e.g. a quick jog).

Tip #2 – Know the Purpose of Your Paper

Make sure that you are clear about your topic. Write down the purpose of the paper and keep it in front of you throughout the writing process. It will keep you from straying down a rabbit trail that may be interesting, but unfortunately leads you away from an A grade.

Tip #3 – Develop an Outline

Having a good outline that serves the purpose of the paper is incredibly important. As you think about the purpose, what are three or more areas that you will need to address to achieve the purpose. For longer papers, you may have more main points and even sub points. Generally, each main point or sub-point will translate into one to three paragraphs in your paper.

Tip #4 – Research and Organize Your Ideas

If your paper requires research, make sure that you organize the ideas you find according to your outline. Type them right into the outline. You may find that your outline will need to change as you discover new ideas. That’s totally okay. Make any necessary changes, but make sure that every point in your outline contributes to the overall purpose of the paper.

If you follow these tips, you will be well under way to writing an A paper. In my next blog, I will share some tips on excelling during the writing phase.