Have a clear understanding of the course you're taking. Choose a topic that is directly related to what is listed in your syllabus, which you should have received the first day of the semester.
Reread your instructor's guidelines, which were written to guide you in creating a well-received paper. Treat those instructions as your bible.
Become intimately familiar with your thesis, the underlying statement that you want to make about your topic. If you are still unclear as to the meaning of the word, make an immediate appointment with your instructor for clarification.
Explore the bibliography of your textbook or textbooks. Some of your paper's major sources might be found there.
Pay close attention to the required length of the paper. Limit the research on your topic if the length of the paper is short - four pages, for example - but expect to spend many hours adding to your bibliography if a longer paper is required.
Keep referring to your topic's thesis as you write the first draft outline of your paper.
Present the draft to your instructor well before the paper is due and before you have spent a lot of time doing your final research. Like it or not, your grade will depend upon your instructor's enthusiastic approval of your topic.