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Did you know that I really enjoy writing papers? I remember writing my first research paper and actually liking it. It was a weird experience. I like writing papers, because they are an easy grade to me. However, to some people, writing papers is really hard. It's hard to sit down with a textbook, some secondary sources and Microsoft Word and be like: "Right, let's write about Oscar Wilde and the way he viewed society based on his writings." That's hard. So let's talk about how to plan a paper:

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Often teachers won't give the paper topics before you finish the reading, so it is important to identify the themes discussed in class, as well as the theme that the literature you've been reading seems to all fall under.Once you identify a theme, then you have a direction for your reading. You can identify certain points in the reading as you make your way through the text. Don't be afraid to highlight and underline in your book if you're able. Fold down corners. Use post-it notes as tabs so that you can always find the lines that you need to support your claim. When you finish reading a book for school, it should be marked up. A clean book means that you probably bought it and then read SparkNotes instead. (Don't do that.) 

After your professor gives out the topics, hash out some ideas. Think about the different ways that you could approach the topic. If you think you would be better by slightly altering the topic, ask to do so. Make sure your ideas are fresh, though. Don't just ask to change the topic so that it'll be easier. Easy papers don't help you learn. Now, you have to make an outline. Outlines are critical to me. If I make an outline, then I can take out the points and it is basically my rough draft. A good way that might help you is to write down your points on note cards and then move them around in the way you want to organize your paper. I don't personally do this, which is why I usually end up staring at my paper, wondering why things aren't flowing. If you want your paper to flow -- which you do -- make these note cards. I think they'll help you.

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Writing your paper is up to you. You may not be the best writer. You may have awful grammar, and commas may confuse you. If that's the case, do your best. Write as much as you can and then visit your writing center or have a friend read it. After you reread your paper six (plus) times, you don't notice the mistakes. A fresh pair of eyes will help with that.

Above all else, just plan ahead and take your time. Don't try to write a paper the night before. It'll be crap. If you put in crap, you're gonna get crap(py grades). Even if you misspell a lot of words and put in too many commas, at least you will have the majority of the work done. If you show up with most of your work done, people will be more willing to help you. Basically, you have to put effort into your papers. Do your best.

catch you later,
Karleigh

"Proofread carefully to see if you any words out." // unknown.