Format your paper properly. A formal paper should have 1-inch margins on both sides and top and bottom. Double space your paper and use a 12-point font. Indent your paragraphs five spaces.
Organize your topic with your word count in mind. You should be able to fully investigate it within the bounds of the assignment. If you are struggling to fulfill the word count, you may need to expand your topic. If you can't fit it all in, you may need to narrow your focus.
Distill your topic to one thesis statement. This is the meat of your paper and what you will spend the rest of your words defending and explaining. The thesis statement goes in the first paragraph and lets your readers know what to expect from your paper.
Write an introductory paragraph introducing your readers to the topic, including your thesis statement. This quickly lets readers know how they will be educated.
Write a body paragraph for each idea that you want to represent, one idea per paragraph. Each paragraph should state your idea, offer your evidence and then relate the idea back to the thesis.
Include paragraphs that explore the most common arguments against your idea. State the argument, give your evidence for disagreeing with it and then relate it to your thesis statement.
Write a conclusion paragraph. In this paragraph restate your thesis statement and ideas and finish with a sentence or two that states why you believe you have proved your argument.