I have some easy tips that I have learned over the years, and helped other students with that helped them to achieve an grade A paper.
1. The first tip I have is to write an outline for your paper. It is very important that you have a clear thought process as to what your teacher or professor is asking of you. Be sure to write the most important facts in your paper. Also be sure that each paragraph of your essay, including the introduction and conclusion paragraphs have a minimum of five sentences.
2. When writing a five paragraph essay or a formal paper, always include a clear and precise introduction. This introduction should have a strong thesis statement explaining what your paper will be written about. To continue the next few sentences of your introduction paragraph should tell briefly about what information your next three paragraphs will contain. This will give your professor, teacher, and audience a clear idea of what your paper will be about. Make sure your last sentence smoothly transitions you into the first paragraph of your essay.
3. It is extremely important that you keep your essay in so me type of an organized manner. In the introduction the same order you keep your description of what your next three paragraphs will be about, is the same order you should write your paragraphs in throughout the entire essay.
4. Be sure to use transitions, they help your papers sound professional and well written. Transitional phrases and words, also help the sentences and paragraphs flow with one another. I try to use a transition to begin each paragraph, as well as, use them within the paragraph, and lastly at the end of a paragraph if I feel it is needed and will help introduce my next paragraph smoothly. There are websites that can give you examples of transition sentences and words that can help you write your paper.
5. Be sure to proofread and check the grammar of your paper. There are many times if professors feel you that their students did not proof read, it will greatly affect your grade. Some professors feel that if a student does not take the time to not only write the paper, but to proofread their work for errors; hen they do not deserve to have a good grade, or for the professor to even continuing to read the paper until it is finished. It is important that you take pride within your own work, so that your teacher, professor and audience will take you seriously and believe you care about the paper you have written.
6. Another important tip I have found when writing my own papers and when I have helped other's is to take breaks. It is extremely crucial that you take breaks while writing your paper. If you can afford to and have the time to write your paper, and give yourself a few hours or even a day to take a test, and then go back and look at it, you will have a more clear outlook and be able to find errors easily. You may also be able to find sentences that do not make sense, or that you could write in a more proper sounding way. The same way bodies get exhausted when we are tired, is the same way our brain and even eyes react when we become overwhelmed in writing. I find at times when I take a drive, walk, nap or even doing other activities. At this time I am not thinking about my paper, but random thoughts will come to me that I should write about.
7. Make sure each paragraph has important facts or statements that you want to focus on throughout your paper. Also be mindful of what you are writing about, it is important that you take into consideration your audience.
8. When writing your concluding paragraph make sure to include a few brief sentences again that you put in your subject area paragraphs. The conclusion will be similar to your introduction as you are finishing by discussing one last time what the most important parts of your essay are and your final thoughts on it.
9. Be sure to cite your paper when needed, this is extremely important because you could be kicked out of college. There are websites that can help you to cite your papers and guide you through each step.
