Select a topic that meets the requirements of the assignment, as there is such a thing as a good topic that does not fit with the requirements of the professor. For example, if the assignment calls for a persuasive argument paper, a rich, intriguing cause and effect angle could end up hurting your grade, even though it would work for other assignments. Also, keep in mind the feasibility of your topic. The harder it is to find information on your topic, the harder it will be to develop your paper.
Plan a writing schedule ahead of time that is realistic and sustainable. Many teachers divide up the papers in to smaller, mini-assignments. For instance, if a paper is due at the end of the semester, you may be required to have your note cards done by the first month of school. Do not procrastinate by waiting until the last minute; do a little bit of work at a time. If you present your outline presented in two weeks, then spend fifteen minutes a day working on it instead of starting at 8 p.m. the night before the due date.
Familiarize yourself with the specifics of the assignment. Consider page numbering, page limits and font size as these are not as easy to fix once the paper is written. You do not want to create work for yourself down the road or, even worse, to turn in a well- written, well-developed paper only to get a bad grade due to format issues (See reference).
Recall prior feedback that your teacher has given you about writing assignments. Chances are, she has pointed out both positive and negative tendencies. Plus, if the paper is being graded in segments, you will also have feedback along the way that you can use. For instance, the professor may have indicated that you do not have enough research on your note cards. Use this knowledge to better flesh out your material in the actual paper (See reference).