Getting started requires you to do three things. First, gain an understanding of the assignment. If you are unsure, consult your instructor. Second, select a suitable topic that meets the requirements of the assignment. Third, collect information that you already know about your topic and determine what do not know.
Planning of almost any college paper requires careful thinking. When you plan your paper, you have two basic objectives. First, write a thesis statement that provides a focus for your paper. Second, organize the supporting information. The amount of organization time required depends on the type of writing. For most college papers, you need to identify the method that you are going to use to develop your writing. Examples of research methods of organization are comparison, cause-and-effect and classification. Choose the method that best supports your thesis and then arrange your materials accordingly.
Your draft is intended to pull together the best of your planning and start the actual writing process. It gives you something to work with. Put into words all of the critical points that you want to make about your thesis. First, write an opening that engages your reader and establishes your direction. Next, advance your thesis and support your main ideas. End your first draft by reasserting the main point and summarizing to gain the reader's acceptance.
Good college papers usually require revising and in some cases substantial reworking. During the revising step, you change the contents of your first draft until it says exactly what you intended. Look at the entire paper. Determine whether the content is interesting, informative and worth sharing. Share your draft with your instructor or a peer. Based on their comments, be prepared to tinker with your writing until it effectively carries your message.
In order to ensure you have the best college paper possible, you must edit and proofread your refined work so that it is clear and accurate. When you edit, examine words, phrases and sentences that sound awkward. Change them to make them smooth, clear and interesting. When you proofread, check your writing for grammar errors and usage, spelling mistakes and mechanics. Check to see that your draft meets the guidelines established by your instructor. Ask a peer to edit and proofread your draft for sentence structure, word choice and accuracy.