Read the assignment sheet carefully. Identify each separate expectation, and number or highlight steps. Ask questions, whether in class, via email or by visiting a professor during office hours. Clarify what is expected, as this will allow you to write with confidence.
Record all due dates in a day planner, calendar or in your phone. Begin thinking about the assignment and doing preliminary work at least one week before the due date. Turn the paper in on time to avoid needlessly losing points due to it being turned in late.
Realize that writing is a process. Allot time to prewrite (brainstorm, free write, research, organize), draft (write a preliminary version of the paper that contains an introduction, topics that the paper will discuss and examples, and a conclusion), revise (tighten organization, wording, transitions), and edit (proofread for grammar, mechanics, spelling, and formatting accuracy.
Complete a rough outline of your paper and write the paper's thesis on the top of the page. Creating blocks to represent each paragraph also works well to help writers visualize the paper's organization and to easily see when topics or examples are being repeated.
Create a tightly focused thesis statement and topic sentences that explicitly connect to the thesis. For example, if the thesis is, "Contrary to the belief that email creates distance between people, it actually has several important benefits, including keeping family, coworkers and teachers connected," the topic sentence might be "The first benefit of email communication is that it enables family members to communicate in emergencies."
Announce the topic being discussed in each paragraph in the very first sentence; this is called a topic sentence. Limit topics to one per paragraph; for instance, the topic sentence, "The immediate benefit of email is that it keeps families and coworkers connected," has two topics---the benefit to families and the benefit to coworkers. Indent and start a new paragraph for each different topic.
Develop the topic of each paragraph with specific examples and descriptions. Turn abstract statements into specific ones. An abstract statement is, "Friends should be loyal." A concrete example would be, "A good friend takes your side, even when it may be unpopular to do so." Try to make paragraphs equal in length.
Avoid starting the conclusion with the words "in conclusion" or "to conclude." Create a sense of finality by restating your thesis and reminding readers of the paper's main topics. Invite readers to take actions on some part of the topic or to consider how the topic affects the future.