Allow yourself several days before the final draft is due in order to edit and proofread. Finish the paper. If possible, double or triple space it and widen the margins, allowing yourself space to write on the draft. Print a copy as reading it on the computer screen might limit your effectiveness at catching minor errors. Put the paper to the side at least overnight before reading your own writing.
Read your entire paper through once and only circle glaring errors and denote areas you need to rewrite. Catch the lapses in transitions and missing or incorrect words used. Mark items as you see them needing revision using pen. Take these revisions and sit back down with the computer and enter each into your computer file for this research paper.
Save those revisions. Print out a clean copy or go back to your edited print version with a different color pen. Focus on your research quotes and paraphrases; are you citing everything in the correct citation style? If not, do correct this next. Check your sentences. Are they direct and too the point or do you meander along? If long-winded, strive to make each sentence actively-phrased and as concise as possible. Write in the active form of subject, verb then object rather than placing a lot of words before the subject of your sentence if you are writing in English.
Take these comments and enter them into your computer file and save it again. Print out again and put paper to the side for at least a few hours if possible. Come back to it and read it again checking for correct punctuation and clarity of thought.
Read your paper aloud and focus on where you pause, making sure that you have a corresponding comma in your research paper. Make sure each word you read aloud matches what is on the paper, since it is very easy to introduce a similar sounding word or homonym or to trail off with a sentence fragment rather than the intended and complete thought.
Enter necessary revisions into your computer file and save the document again. Read the file as it now appears on your computer screen, focusing on verb tenses, as strong papers will only change among past, present and future tense as needed. Flipping among tenses is something that inhibits flow and can be confusing, so revise if you change too frequently. Take a break.
Ask yourself if you knew nothing about this research paper topic, what would you need to know and how would you need to have it explained to you? Print one last draft of the research paper out and dissect each line and paragraph in that manner. Make sure everything is explained thoroughly and with conviction. Confirm that you incorporated your research material rather than dropped quotes in surreptitiously and without connecting them with the rest of your paper. Reaffirm that your research paper has a strong thesis statement and argument and that there is no extraneous information included.
Limit direct quotes to only a portion of your final paper, no more than 10 to 15 percent. Paraphrase the rest and make sure only the most essential components are quoted. Trim off any extra words that neither change the meaning of the quoted research material nor add anything to your argument. Make these changes to your computer file, save and read it right before its due date. Alter it accordingly. Reset double spacing and margins to appropriate settings and print out a copy for your teacher or professor.