How To Make A Best Paper
How To Make A Best Paper
It should try to present or discuss something: develop a thesis via a set of closely related
Be sure that you understand exactly what the question requires you to do.
Identify the key words (like discuss or analyse) and clarify the approach you are
required to take.
Work out your initial thoughts and ideas about the topic and write a quick,
preliminary essay plan to help guide your research.
An essay plan can help you work out how you will answer the question and which
information you will use. Essay plans also help with structuring an essay.
Remember, your plan at this point is provisional. As you begin to write and research it
will probably change.
What do I already know about the topic? Start with what you know. If a topic is
unfamiliar, do some introductory reading. See your lecture notes and course readings
for help.
See The Learning Centre guide to Reading effectively for tips and methods
Reading lists
If you are given a list of suggested readings, consult as many as possible.
Otherwise, locate relevant material in the library. Use the catalogue to perform topic
and subject searches.
Once you have your readings:
use the table of contents and the index to find relevant material
when you find something you need to read closely, flag the pages with a post-it
note so you can return for a close reading
photocopy useful sections of texts so you can underline and make notes
Dont take notes during your first reading. If you are reading photocopies,
underline or highlight relevant information. You can return to it when you re-read and
take notes.
Always make notes with the question clearly in mind. You must use evidence to
support your argument, so look carefully for relevant information. This can include
summaries or direct quotes from texts, useful examples, case studies or statistics.
Note all sources of information. Copy down the bibliographic details of everything
you read. Include author, date, title, publisher and place of publication. For journal
articles, include volume and issue numbers. This will help with referencing.
Essay plans II
After youve researched and your ideas are more developed, write a second
essay plan. It will help you work out how to answer the question and how the essay
will be structured.
Decide on a possible answer to the question (in terms of the research you have
done)
Look through your notes and choose examples to provide evidence to support your
answer
Write all this down in point form and this will be your essay plan
Thinking it through
Essay writing requires both creative and critical thinking.
Creative thinking encourages you to broaden your ideas. Try techniques like
brainstorming or mind mapping.
Critical thinking encourages you to narrow the focus or scope of your ideas (for
example, asking why an example is important to your argument).
Your essay should be balanced: that is, it should include a range of information and
viewpoints from different authors that explore the key arguments and relevant
aspects of a particular topic. Dont only include evidence that agrees with what you
are arguing; if there are different or opposing views, then they need to be examined.
You need to evaluate differing arguments - explain why one argument is more
convincing than another and how they relate to the conclusion your essay arrives at.
Your first draft will not be your final essay; think of it as raw material you will refine
through editing and redrafting. Once you have a draft, you can work on writing
well.
Structure
Structure your essay in the most effective way to communicate your ideas and
answer the question.
All essays should include the following structure
Essay paragraphs
A paragraph is a related group of sentences that develops one main idea. Each
paragraph in the body of the essay should contain:
Evidence. Most of the time, your point should be supported by some form of
evidence from your reading, or by an example drawn from the subject area.
Analysis. Dont just leave the evidence hanging there - analyse and interpret it!
Comment on the implication/significance/impact and finish off the paragraph with a
critical conclusion you have drawn from the evidence.
a concluding sentence that restates your point, analyses the evidence or acts as a
transition to the next paragraph.
Start writing early - the earlier the better. Starting cuts down on anxiety, beats
procrastination, and gives you time to develop your ideas.
Keep the essay question in mind. Dont lose track of the question or task. Keep a
copy in front of you as you draft and edit and work out your argument.
Dont try to write an essay from beginning to end (especially not in a single
sitting). Begin with what you are ready to write - a plan, a few sentences or bullet points.
Start with the body and work paragraph by paragraph.
Write the introduction and conclusion after the body. Once you know what your
essay is about, then write the introduction and conclusion.
Use 'signpost' words in your writing. Transition signals can help the reader follow
the order and flow of your ideas.
Revise your first draft extensively. Make sure the entire essay flows and that the
paragraphs are in a logical order.
Put the essay aside for a few days. This allows you to consider your essay and edit
it with a fresh eye.
Reference lists
Remember to list all the books and articles you use for the essay in a Reference List.
This is a list of all works cited in your essay, and should be the final page.
Check the overall structure of your essay; does it have a clear introduction, body
and conclusion?
Make sure that each paragraph has a clear main point that relates to the argument.
Make sure that the paragraphs are arranged in logical sequence.
Make sure that you have explained the evidence you use and integrated it
appropriately.
Revise sentences. Make sure the words you use mean what you think they mean.
Check transition signals. Be sure that a reader can follow the sequence of ideas
from sentence to sentence, and from paragraph to paragraph.
If there were any special instructions or guidelines for this assignment, have I
followed them?
In general:
Make sure you know the date the assignment is due. Submitting late work usually
incurs a penalty.
Make sure you know where and to whom your assignment should be submitted.
Most assignments require a cover sheet (available from your school office).
Dont submit your essay in a plastic folder or sleeve (unless you are asked to do
so).
Ensure your essay is formatted correctly. Use double-line spacing and a readable
font (size 12 at least).