Steps in Composing a Paper

Created September 6, 2002

For questions, contact: Dr. Garrett

Sometimes it helps to have a project broken down into steps. Here are some of the key steps in composing a quality paper. I don't claim that this is the only way to do it or that this list is complete. I offer this list as a deliberate, methodical way of breaking the larger task down into more manageable pieces.

General advice:

Don't try to do this all in one evening, or one continuous stretch. It helps to take a break from "work" on a topic and do other things, but allow mental connections related to your project to occur while you are, say, washing the dishes, taking a walk, or doing something else that does not require maximum concentration. The most creative connections are often made under such conditions. (If you get a brilliant idea, write it down and then see if it is useful later.)

a. Choose a topic. (At first your idea of a topic may be vague, but it will give you a starting point.)

b. Jot down ideas from your primary reading, secondary reading, class notes (keep track of your sources so you don't have to invest a lot of energy documenting them when it comes to the finishing states of your paper)

c. Refine and focus your topic

d. Collect more ideas from your sources (c and d might need to be repeated)

e. Organize your ideas.

Here is where an outline might be useful.
There should be a central thesis, which can be stated in a declarative sentence, or a small number of central theses (claims, conclusions) that the rest of the paper supports.
If you have multiple theses then pay attention to how they are related.
Stating a central thesis should flow naturally from your thinking about the topic of your paper.
f. Collect material (or jot down relatively uncontroversial claims) to support your ideas (keeping track of your sources)

g. Refine the organization of your ideas (repeat e and f if needed)

h. Draft your paper

i. Check your paper for coherence: Does everything in it have a purpose? Do you give reasons or cite evidence that really supports your main points?

j. Redraft your paper, rewriting various sentences or paragraphs to improve coherence. You may have to go back to your sources to find additional evidence for your conclusions.

k. Repeat i and j if necessary, as many times as necessary.

l. Check your coherence/flow by reading the paper aloud (i) to yourself and (ii) to a friendly critic who will tell you where it does not make sense when it doesn't. (Repeat step j if necessary.)

m. Final checklist