Gather all your materials in one place before you begin working. This will save you a lot of time. You will need a computer, any handwritten notes or instructions from your teacher, references for research on your paper topic, an AP style guide, a printer and a red pen.
Create an outline before you begin writing. An outline maps out your entire paper from introduction to conclusion. Use Roman numerals and letters of the alphabet to quickly organize your thoughts. State a main idea next to a Roman numeral. Then list thoughts you want to add to that paragraph underneath the main idea. This should be brief and take very little time. Most students already know how to create an outline, but if you need a refresher, check out an online source for a quick reminder.The textbook for your English class probably has a section on outlining also.
Conduct your research before you begin writing. To do this quickly, grab a friend and have him help you find books or online sources you need. Together, you can highlight any sentences you wish to use as quotations in your paper. Be sure to record the title, publisher and page of the book on a post-it note and mark your place in the book so you can find it again later on. This will speed along your referencing in your paper. Doing your research before you begin writing will save you time later.
Begin writing your first draft. Use the outline you created to insert your ideas for each paragraph. Type it using a computer that has an auto-correcting tool. This will save you the hassle of correcting typos. Your outline is the backbone of your paper. Type your ideas in paragraph form. Your first draft will be full of mistakes, but that's alright. You will come back later to add more information and correct any mistakes.
Go back and add more information where needed. After reading through your first draft, go back and add more to your paper. Make sure your sentences flow and that the entire paper is in sequential order. It should move smoothly and effectively express your ideas.
Make corrections to your paper. Print out your paper and mark it for corrections using a red ink pen. Have a friend help you make corrections to speed the process along. Use your AP style guide to help you check your paper for errors. Go back and correct your mistakes on your saved copy on the computer. Save your work and print out a final copy.