Choose a Topic
Research the Paper
Write the Paper

• Choose a topic that interests you
  
• Where possible, make the topic relevant to your  work or life experiences
  
• Narrow your topic down to a manageable statement that can be covered in the number of pages  assigned
  
• Provide a focus for your paper
  

<< Back to the top

• You can be reasonably sure that other authors have, already covered your topic, or parts of it. Find them
  
• Some sources of information:
  
  a) Internet
  b) Text books
  c) Libraries: catalogues, reference sections, special
      collections, periodical listings, reading rooms,
      librarians
  d) Professors
  e) Fellow students
  
• Keep track of your research and what you find
  
• As you do your research, define your paper in greater detail
  
• As you see the direction your paper is taking, focus your research on those areas that are pertinent to that direction
  
  

1. Be prepared to write at least three drafts.
   
2. Organize your notes and reference material in the order dictated by your outline.
   
3. Using your outline as subject headings, start putting your ideas down on paper. Ideally use a word processor so that changes can be made easily.
   
4. Reread this rough draft, adding, deleting and inserting ideas where appropriate.
   
5. Recopy this rough draft into a clean working copy. Make some effort to smooth out the rough spots, spelling mistakes etc.
   
6. Put this working copy aside for 2-3 days. Reread the paper after 2-3 days with a critical eye. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

1. Are the points clearly stated and well developed?
   
2. Do the ideas follow each other smoothly; do they flow or are they disjointed?
   
3. Has the question been well developed? Have arguments for and against been well stated?
   
4. Does the material presented support the conclusions reached?
   
5. Does it make sense?
   
6. Are all quotations supported by appropriate references?
   
7. Are my footnotes, bibliography and other supporting material accurate and well presented?
   
8. If I were a teacher reading this paper, what mark would I give myself?

7. Write a final copy of the paper. Proofread it for errors of spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence construction. Have someone else (a family member, friend, or teacher) look it over as well to get another person’s point of view.
   
8. Type the copy to be handed in. Follow theses general guidelines if you have not been given any by the teacher:

1. Double-spaced.


2. White 8 1/2 x 11 paper.


3. 1 1/2 inch margins all four sides.


4. Use a readable font (e.g.: Arial or Times size 12).


5. Title page, and bibliography.
   

9. Final proofreading.
   
10. Make a copy for your files.
    
11. Hand the paper in on time.

<< Back to the top