Choose a paper subject that interests you. Confirm your topic with an instructor, if applicable, or refer to any relevant style guides.
Employ a brainstorming technique such as a mind map on a piece of paper. Use a pen to expand your perspective on the subject into an interesting paper with a central argument. For instance, if you are interested in cars, write it in the middle of the page, then delve into your reasons -- branching out from the center. Are you interested in transport and civil society, in technology and history, or in social relationships and status symbols? As you brainstorm, write down all your ideas, and the process will help facilitate the emergence of a strong argument.
Highlight three to five key areas to research for the paper based on your brainstorming session. Go to the library and use the Internet to find research conducted on the topic. Has this question been answered before in a different context? How have other researchers framed this information?
Write down what you have learned about your topic from the research and what questions or holes remain in your theory. Note the instances where you learned something new, but the existing research does not go far enough in addressing your question. Or if your conclusion regarding your topic is not logical, conduct more research to fill in these analytical gaps. Strong, well-researched arguments emerge out of nuanced considerations of others, work.
Outline the paper into sections, which will become the paragraphs. Generally, papers include an introduction, literature review and background information, analysis and conclusion.
Refine your argument by slowly going through the outline and asking, "So what?" in each section. Make sure your paper answers this question, your argument are logical, and your claims or generalizations make sense. By answering this question in each part, you'll strengthen the paper.
Write the rough draft of the paper based on the outline, using a word processor. Print it and read through the rough draft. Use a colored pen to note any necessary changes. Always check for spelling and grammatical mistakes, then make the necessary edits.
Finalize the draft and send it to the desired recipient -- handing a printed copy to an instructor or emailing it to a publication.