A Guide on How to Write an Academic Paper

Planning and Researching the Academic Paper

• 1

  Choose a thesis statement or key question that the paper will answer. Each academic paper investigates a single topic and collects information to support the hypothesis or point of view regarding that key topic.

• 2

  Break down the thesis statement into three or four subcategories. Through your initial understanding of the topic, identify three or four subcategories that each support and describe the overall key question.

• 3

  Research the thesis question and subcategories. Using acceptable research sources, collect information on the topic. A good idea is to collect more research than is needed, and then cull the material to find the most pertinent information.

• 4

  Write key points on 3-by-5 index cards. Write the reference source information on the backside of the index card. To signify key points, highlight the top of these index cards with a yellow highlighter.

• 5

  Collect secondary or supporting information, and write these facts on 3-by-5 index cards as well. Include the reference information on the backside of the index card. To signify secondary or supporting information, mark the top edge of these cards with an orange highlighter.

Writing the Academic Paper

• 6

  Write an introductory paragraph that summarizes the thesis statement. Conclude the paragraph with a key sentence that summarizes the purpose of the paper.

• 7

  Arrange the index cards that contain key points in logical order as they will be presented in the paper --- summarizing and supporting the paper's thesis statement.

• 8

  Arrange the cards containing secondary points and supporting information in a group with the appropriate key points. Do not be afraid to toss out cards that no longer fit the flow of the paper.

• 9

  Write an outline that captures the information and demonstrates how it will be presented in the paper. Look for any weaknesses which may need to be strengthened by additional research.

• 10

  Write the paper's rough draft, and then set it aside for at least 24 hours. Reread the paper, and correct spelling and content errors. Read the paper out loud and look for ideas which are fragmented and need to be edited, expanded or deleted.