A good paper starts with lots of research.
A paper is an opportunity to artfully express an argument. A well-crafted paper can provide rationale for a business decision, demonstrate what a student has learned in a class, or present important research findings. Clear papers require thorough research and authors who think through their thesis statements before they begin writing. Fleshing out a complete argument in a detailed outline is the best way to develop a paper that earns a good grade from instructors or managers.
Instructions
1. Select a topic that fits within the guidelines provided by your instructor. If yours is a business setting, choose to write about something relevant and which will reduce expenses, increase profits or improve services offered.
2. Narrow your focus to ensure that your topic is not too broad. For example, a paper about "Economics" is too broad; refine your focus to something you can address in the amount of space you are given, such as "American Economic Approaches in the 1960s."
3. Research potential topics before you begin writing. Find at least a dozen different sources that talk about your topic. For academic papers you may need 25 or more sources. Initially, it is just important to make sure your topic has been written about by many other people so that your paper is not solely your opinion. Look online and at your local, or school, library for references. Look in the "References" sections of academic papers that address your topic and research those references to see how many you can use in your paper. Newspapers, academic journals and business publications are all useful sources for researching paper topics.
4. Write a thesis statement that crystallizes the argument of your paper. It should be about five sentences long and should express the point or purpose of your paper. Develop details like what is being addressed, how it is being proved and on whose work it is based. Read thesis statements from other research papers and use them as models for developing your own. Ask your instructor to review your thesis statement and reference list before you begin writing to ensure it's viable.
5. Create a detailed outline of your paper. Start with an introduction, then move through the body copy and conclusion. Follow the guidelines of the style manual you have been instructed to use in your class, like the American Psychological Association (APA) style manual, or the Modern Language Association (MLA) manual. If you are writing a business paper, follow Associated Press (AP) style guidelines. Follow the sections that your style guide lists as the way to organize the content of your paper. Within each section, break your argument into main points and identify which research you will use to support those points.
6. Create a thorough list of resources. Verify the credibility of all sources and obtain full copies of the research you intend to cite. Organize your sources in order of how you plan to discuss them in your paper.
7. Write a rough draft of your paper. Wait a few days (if time allows) and then read it through, rewriting, editing, and checking to make sure you followed all of your outline points and thoroughly explained your thesis statement. Look for areas that you need to expand and others that need to be cut.
8. Write a second draft of your paper. Check for grammatical and spelling errors. Ask a classmate or co-worker to read your paper for clarity. Wait a few more days and re-read again, making necessary edits before turning in your paper.
9. Properly format and compile your reference list according to the specifications detailed in your style guide.
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