Getting an A on Your Next Paper – Part Two: Writing Your Paper Well

Last month, we looked at the first phase of the writing process: “Preparing to Write Well.” This is often the most important phase as it sets a trajectory for the rest of the paper. The four tips for preparing to write well are: 1) write when your mind is fresh, 2) know the purpose of your paper, 3) develop an outline, and 4) research and organize your ideas.

My focus in this newsletter and the next one is on “Writing Your Paper Well” (in the fourth part of this series, I will discuss how to edit your paper well). Here are some tips to help you write your paper with excellence:

Tip #5 – Understand Your Purpose and Make it Central

Every paper must have a strong purpose (some call it a thesis). For some papers, your professor will define that purpose for you in the assignment instructions (if you do not understand what your professor wants, make sure you ask questions so that you clearly understand the purpose of the assignment). In some instances, your professor will give you freedom to design a paper around your own purpose (if in doubt about the suitability of your proposed purpose, ask your professor if it is okay). In your opening paragraph, make sure that you clearly state the purpose of the paper and how the various pieces of the paper will serve that purpose (if you have already developed an outline for the paper, this process will be easier – see tip #3 in my previous article). Then, make sure that every paragraph and sentence contributes to fulfilling that purpose.

Tip #6 – Use Headings to Organize Your Paper

I often suggest to my students that meaningful and well-placed headings help the reader to follow the flow of a paper. Again, with an outline in place, you can readily create headings that follow that outline. It is often useful to have headings to introduce sections that are between one to three paragraphs in length. At the end of each section, make sure you include a transitional sentence (or paragraph for major sections) that naturally eases the reader into the next section.

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 about integrating sources into your papers.