Select your topic. You may be assigned a specific topic by your teacher or professor, or you may be given a list of topics to choose from. If you have any choice in the matter, choose a topic that interests you. And choose a topic that is broad enough that you will have something to write about, but narrow enough that you won't have to write a dissertation.
Research your topic thoroughly. The more research you conduct, the more detail you will be able to add to your paper. Focus your research on scholarly journals, newspapers, books and the websites of respected organizations.
Organize your information. Take notes as you research, and keep your notes organized around points that you want to make in your paper. Keeping your notes organized as you go along will streamline the processes of writing an outline and citing your sources.
Develop your thesis on the basis of the research you have conducted. A thesis is the primary argument you are making about your topic; all of the detail you add to your paper should support your thesis. Once you have completed your research and developed your thesis, you are ready to begin writing.
Outline your paper before you begin writing. Making an outline will help you organize your ideas and isolate any logical or factual flaws in your argument. Your outline should consist of your thesis statement, secondary arguments that support your thesis and factual details that support your secondary arguments.
Write your introduction first. Use your introductory paragraph to introduce your topic, provide relevant background information, and state your thesis.
Write the body of your paper. Organize each paragraph around a secondary argument that supports your thesis, and fill out each paragraph with supporting details. Evaluate and analyze the information acquired during your research phase, rather than simply repeating it.
Conclude your paper by discussing the significance of your argument. Summarize the thesis and secondary arguments for your reader only if the argument is complex enough to warrant a summary.
Cite your sources. Properly attribute all information quoted, summarized or paraphrased from your sources; failure to do so is academic plagiarism and can have very serious consequences. Follow the citation style assigned by your teacher or professor.
Produce your final draft. Proofread your paper for grammatical and spelling errors or flaws in reasoning, and correct them. Give your paper to a trusted friend or colleague, and ask them to make suggestions for improvement. Make any organizational changes necessary before finalizing your paper and handing it in.