Research Papers and Essays
Pre-writing
Research process
First draft
Editing
Dredge up things you don't know about the topic
Good questions and arguments
Pre-writing phrase
More focused research
Write down everything you know about the topic
Main points
External resources
Research Recursion Syndrome: when you constantly look for other sources
Find your sources and cite them
Constantly improve
Annotate the materials
Let the first draft be free of scrutiny and restraint
Content editing
Technical editing
- Is each argument properly fleshed out and backed up with sources?
- What can be written in a more concise way?
- Does the paper have a good narrative flow?
- Does each argument support the thesis?
- Poorly structured sentences
- Formatting errors
- Grammar and spelling mistakes
- Sentences that don't sound right
Ask for specific feedback
Read the essay aloud
Review your final draft