Overview: A Guide for Students

Getting Started

Read the assignment carefully and make sure you understand it.
Make sure to leave enough time to do the work. Create a schedule of steps for yourself.
If it is up to you to find a topic, try writing to generate ideas.
If the assignment calls for original research, find other articles on the subject to determine what has already been done. Even a short essay can make an original and useful contribution.
Narrow down your idea until it is specific enough to be interesting and manageable.
Having a very clear question in mind will help you organize your research. Write it down.

Start by searching the library, online databases and the Internet for relevant sources.
Make sure your sources are appropriate and reliable. If in doubt, ask your professor.
When you find a good source, check the bibliography for other leads.
You should read widely on the subject, but good research also involves knowing what not to read. Concentrate on those sources that are the most relevant and useful.
Keep a working bibliography: Record the details of every source you find.
As you read, write down quotations or paraphrase ideas from the source. Highlighting relevant portions on copies of articles might also be useful. Be sure to cite the sources your use properly, even in your notes, as this will save work later.
You will probably have ideas of your own while you read; be sure to write those down, too.
It helps to write a short summary of the valuable information in each source.
If applicable, keep careful records of the data from experiments and surveys.

Writing a review of the existing research will help clarify your understanding of the topic.
As your research progresses, you may realize that your original idea needs to be altered.
Formulate a tentative thesis once you have considered all aspects of the problem.
Try writing a list of all the subtopics you will have to address.
Try making an outline that arranges the subtopics in a logical pattern.
Be open to revising your thesis and your organization throughout the process.

Begin with the idea that intrigues you most or whatever motivates you to begin.
Chances are your paper will start small, then gradually expand as you add evidence and quotations, and then finally shrink a bit in the editing process.
Evaluate your argument as you go to be sure it makes sense.
Make sure that each paragraph has a main point, that each point follows logically from what came before, and that they are linked by effective transitions.
Ask yourself if each point is supported by evidence. Add material from your notes as necessary.
You may find that you are missing important information, so further research may be required.
Keep a working bibliography as you write.

Once you have a complete draft, set it aside for a bit and then re-read it objectively. It may also help to have someone else read it; talk through the ideas with him or her.
You will most likely want to rearrange some of your ideas or add new ones.
Once satisfied with your argument, you can focus on editing: Remove unnecessary asides and explanations and make your writing concise and readable. Vary your word choice and sentence structure. Use a thesaurus and dictionary.
Watch for unprofessional diction.
Double-check the accuracy of your citations and make sure that they adhere to the standard for the discipline (footnotes, or parenthetical citation).
The final step will be to print out your paper and proofread it carefully.