A C may be enough to get you through, but only an A+ will get your grandma to hang your final paper on her fridge door. Have you been trying hard to beat your friends but only managed to get mediocre results? Well, have your grandma prepare a magnet for her fridge, because by following these steps, you'll be creating the best final paper in your entire batch.
Step
Method 1 of 1: Writing Your Own Final Paper
Step 1. Choose a topic for your paper
Try to think creatively, and if you are given the freedom to choose your own topic, take advantage of this freedom. Choose a topic that you are particularly interested in, as this will make it easier for you to write. In particular, choose a topic that comes up because so far you have certain questions that really intrigue you. After choosing a topic, make sure that this topic can indeed be worked into the form of a paper. Usually, many topics contain too broad a scope, so that the discussion is impossible to complete in the form of a paper with a limited timeframe. Narrow the scope of your topic so that it fits within the confines of the completion of the paper. If the topic of the paper has been obligatory for you, start exploring the unique points of view that will make the information and discussion you present different from the approaches that others will generally take. In the end, whatever point of view you use, it must be an original approach that you present yourself as well as being useful to the reader and keeping the reader interested.
- Be careful not to pick a topic and then get so hung up on the final result that you don't want to see new ideas and new ways of thinking while working on the paper. In academia, this is known as "premature cognitive commitment". What should be a very good paper, will actually be confined by the limits of the final result you think about, because the picture of the final result has become the "target" that you pursue without realizing it, even though there are findings that you get through the research process. during the work. Your paper won't really show a real analysis of your findings. To avoid this, keep asking questions at every stage of research and writing, and view the topic as a hypothesis, not a final conclusion. In this way, you will be ready to accept new challenges, even ready to face your own views being questioned throughout the course of the paper.
- Reading other people's comments, opinions and discussions will often help to sharpen your own point of view, especially if the other person suggests you do “further research” or asks challenging questions without providing answers.
- For more help, you can try searching for wikiHow articles on determining research topics.
Step 2. Do your research
You can't possibly start writing if you haven't done your research. You need to fully understand the background of your topic and current thinking on the topic, as well as identify the potential need for further research in that topic area. It may be tempting to use certain information that you already know and really understand, but this should actually be avoided so that you can still learn new things through the process of research and writing papers. Do your research with an adventurous spirit and openness to learn things you didn't know before, as well as to gain new perspectives and ways to look at pre-existing problems. When conducting research, use both primary sources (original texts, documents, case laws, interviews, experiments, etc.) as well as secondary sources (interpretations and explanations from others about these primary sources). You can also find places to discuss with students who have the same interests, offline or online according to your preferences. This will help facilitate the exchange of ideas and inspiration, although usually information from these sources cannot be formally cited in your research material. For more information, here are some useful materials for you to study:
- How to do research paper.
- How to take notes, how to take better notes, how to take notes from a printed book, how to take notes in a book, and how to take notes a la Cornell.
Step 3. Sharpen your key statement (“thesis statement”)
After completing your research, review all the topics you covered. At this point, it is very important that you find one of the most prominent ideas in your discussion, as a key point that you are sure you can stick to throughout this paper and be the main thing that can be learned by the reader, as well as will be a strong key conclusion. Your thesis statement is the backbone of your entire paper, a key idea that you will defend throughout the paper. If you present a semi-finished thesis statement, your entire paper will be weightless. Put forward a thesis statement that has proven to be interesting through the research you have done. That way, you won't have any trouble keeping it. Once you are satisfied with the topic and your thesis statement, proceed with writing the first draft.
Remember, the research doesn't end here. And similarly, the thesis statement doesn't necessarily stop here. Give yourself some space as you continue your research or paper writing, as you may want to make certain changes when you discover new things. On the other hand, be careful not to look around for something new for so long that you don't settle on an idea and don't start your analysis for fear of discussing less weighty ideas. Sometimes you have to say, “That's enough. Now is the time for me to start this discussion!” If you are very interested in continuing to research the topic, you can take additional study time to do so at a later date (for example, take up graduate studies). But for now, make sure that your final paper is of sufficient weight and length according to the requirements, and that it is completed within the stipulated deadline
Step 4. Develop an outline or outline of the paper's content
Some people can work on a final paper without having this kind of outline, but such people are rare and are usually the ones who work more effectively under deadline pressure. It is much better for you to develop an outline of the content of the paper, so that you know each step in the entire process. This outline functions like a map helping you to figure out your way from point A to point B. Like the rest of the paper, it is not rigid and fixed, but can change if needed. However, the outline should provide a structure that you can use as a reference when you get confused in the middle of the process, as well as an outline of the main points of your paper, where all other content complements the main points. There are many different ways to develop a paper outline, and you may have your own that is unique and you prefer. As a general guide, here are some basic pieces that should be in the outline of a paper:
- Introduction, discussion section and closing or conclusion.
- Descriptive section or explanation after the introduction, which describes the background or theme.
- The analysis or argument section. With the results of the research, write down the main idea for each body paragraph.
- Any questions or key points that you are not sure about.
- See How to write an outline to learn more about this.
Step 5. State your point of view in the introduction
The introductory paragraph should be challenging, but not overly complex. Of all the sections of the paper, this is the section that is most likely to be changed and rewritten when you are working on a continuation of the paper and experiencing certain changes. When this happens, remember that the introduction is a tool to start your paper on, and therefore it is always welcome to revise it. This approach gives you the freedom to always make the necessary changes. Likewise, take this opportunity to re-arrange the organization of the entire paper by explaining the outline, so that the reader will be familiar with the outline from the start. Try using the acronym HIT as a way of writing the introduction:
- “H”- also the reader (catch the reader's interest) by using a question or quote. Perhaps you could also use an anecdote related to the topic that would fit perfectly into the context of your paper.
- “I”- introduce your topic (introduce your topic to the reader). Write your topic succinctly, clearly and directly.
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“T”- hesis statement (key statement). This statement should appear clearly at an earlier stage.
Don't forget to define the words that appear in the questions you ask! Words like “globalization” have a variety of meanings, and it is important that you clearly state in the introduction which definition you will use
Step 6. Make the reader sure of the content/discussion part
Make sure that each paragraph supports your argument in a different way. What if you're not sure about the body paragraphs you have? Try separating the first sentence of each paragraph. If you put all the first sentences together, they will appear as a list of supporting evidence for your thesis statement.
Try relating the topic of the paper (for example, Plato's Symposium) to something else you happen to know (for example, the growing trend of dating partners at student parties). Slowly, bring the discussion in the paragraphs to your actual topic, and give some generalizations about why the topic you are discussing is so interesting and well worth researching (for example by pointing out how human expectations of physical intimacy in the past have changed in the future). now)
Step 7. Draw strong conclusions
Try using the ROCC method:
- “R”- estate your thesis statement (restate your thesis statement).
- “O”- ne important detail (the most important key detail should usually be included in your last paragraph).
- “C”- include (make a conclusion to end your discussion).
- “C”- lincher (the last bait you pass to the reader to get the reader to think more about your topic).
Step 8. Show your style
What if you use outside sources? Make sure you use the citation style your instructor prefers, whether it's the MLA or APA citation system or other citation systems applicable in different countries. Each system has its own very detailed citation method, so if you are not familiar with it, check out the guide (you can access this guide online at owl. English. Purdue. EU). It's helpful to embellish your paper with citations to help clarify your ideas, but don't overdo it and make sure you don't use too many citations so that your paper looks like it was done by other authors.
- Avoid random copy-pasting of other people's arguments. Please use the thoughts of the right experts in your topic area, but don't just write "A says…" or "B thinks…" Readers need to know your thoughts, not just want to read the thoughts of those experts.
- It is very important that you compile a bibliography early in the research process, to avoid confusion at the end of writing a paper: how to write a bibliography, how to write a bibliography in APA format, and how to write a bibliography in MLA format.
Step 9. Burn the fat, build the muscle
In an important paper like this, spacing plays a very important role as well. Master how to get rid of unnecessary words. Are your sentences well organized? Go through your sentences one by one and see if you've used as few words as possible to convey that point.
Use words that sound strong and imply action, not words that sound weak and passive. For example “I am in the process of writing my final paper,” needs to be changed to “I am writing my final paper.”
Step 10. Don't be careless
Using a computer program is the first step to spell checking in your paper! The computer program will not detect subtle errors such as the word "can't" (when you should have written the word "able"), or repeated words like "if," or grammar problems (unless you're using a Microsoft program). Word, which has a grammar check feature and will detect repeated words). Little things like this will give a negative impression in the eyes of your instructor. If you are too lazy to re-examine, the instructor will assume that you did not take the research and writing process seriously. Solve this problem by asking a friend to help you read your entire paper and then mark any mistakes he or she finds.
Use correct grammar. You need the help of a teacher to show you how to use proper grammar, not to correct your mistakes down to dots and commas. Too many mistakes here and there will make your idea undeliverable because the reader will lose patience with all the mistakes that distract him
Step 11. Think of a good title to grab the reader's attention, but make sure it's neither too short nor too long
For some essay writers, a proper title emerges early in the essay writing process. But for many others, this proper title will appear after completing the entire writing. If you still can't find a title idea, discuss it with your friends or family. You'd be surprised how unrelated thoughts can actually pop up a really great title in an instant!
Tips
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Allocate sufficient time for you to write the final paper. Of course, the sooner you start, the better for you. If you start late, you won't have enough time to finish. Here's a little guide on the minimum time allocation you need:
- At least 2 hours to produce writing as much as 3-5 pages.
- At least 4 hours to produce as many as 8-10 pages of writing.
- At least 6 hours to produce as many as 12-15 pages of writing.
- Multiply the time above by two if you haven't done any homework or you still have to attend any classes.
- For papers that are strictly analysis of research results, add 2 hours to the above time (although you will still need to learn how to conduct research quickly and effectively, which goes beyond simply studying this quick guide).
- The best papers are like grass on which to play tennis. The arguments must flow reliably, one by one without stopping and culminating in the conclusion.
- If you are unable to continue writing, try to see your supervisor. Whatever stage you are in, trying to get a thesis statement or trying to draw conclusions, most supervisors will be happy to help you and they will remember your initiative when it's time for assessment.
Warning
- Don't forget to double-check your final draft for any minor mistakes. These errors will reduce your overall score if they are significant enough.
- If you use external sources and do not mention those sources, it means that you have cheated and cheated (plagiarized). You will fail and may even be expelled from school. Do not cheat. The results will not be worth the risk of missing out on the opportunity to continue your studies. In addition, you will not be able to retain the knowledge of the paper in your memory or develop an in-depth, analytical understanding of the topic you are writing about, all of which you will need throughout your career. Work hard now, so that your knowledge and understanding will continue to grow in the future.
- Remember that writing a final paper is an important part of your academic career. Make sure that you include the page title, table of contents, discussion section and list of references in the paper.
- Never submit a paper on the wrong topic. You can only change the topic by asking the instructor for permission and doing all the requirements. Remember that all instructors and tutors are highly experienced and they will communicate with each other, so they will all know if you make these kinds of mistakes.
