Essays are mandatory for higher-level study and bear much weight on your final score. As such, you cannot afford to write an average paper or skimp on research when your grade is at stake.
From the choosing of your essay topic to the editing of your paper, multiple small details can set apart a mediocre essay from an A-level paper. Many students often find themselves confused with the question: how can I master college-level writing and ace my paper?
This article will tackle the tips for college level writing and highlight the best approach for an outstanding essay.
How to write a college paper
Each stage of writing a college essay presents a fair challenge for a student. Poor selection of a topic can do as much harm to the essay as shoddy research and inept editing. Some of the vital steps for writing in college include:
- Select an interesting topic
Selecting a good topic is vital for good performance. A good topic should allow for unique arguments and provide a vast array of sources to support arguments in your paper.
The topic should also pique your interests, providing you the impetus to analyze various ideas in depth. Before starting on research, brainstorm ideas and perform basic research to determine the best topic for your essay.
- Perform research on your topic
After settling on a topic, do research to see how your hypothesis can be developed in line with the available sources. During the research, record relevant points along with references.
This will allow you to easily go about outlining your paper and reduce the burden of retrieving various references.
- Prepare an outline
Having researched various points, sort them in an outline, showing the connections between these points. The college paper research outline allows you to cruise through the writing phase without the distraction of various bits of information you encounter when progressing with your paper.
The college paper outline should highlight your paper’s key sections and sort the ideas into paragraphs. These ideas should be expressed in short sentences, allowing for assessment of the overall argument. You may also consider sharing the outline with your tutor for guidance on how you can improve your arguments.
- Write your essay
Now, write your paper while expounding on various ideas and adding transition words to build a logical flow in your argument. Ideally, take breaks in your writing session to master the focus required for analytical consideration of various ideas.
Also, refer to your outline before starting on a new section, to ensure that you are on track with your essay objectives.
- Edit
When planning for your essay, set aside ample time for revision. During revision, check the structure of your paper, the referencing, and the grammar of your paper. You may seek expert guidance for editing to pinpoint a wider range of issues, making a great impression on your tutor.
How to format a college paper
The college paper format is usually part of the writing instructions offered by your tutor. Often, the APA paper format is recommended for your paper. When formatting your paper in APA:
- Start with a cover page and include a left-justified running head in the header
- Insert a 0.5” indent to the first sentence of each paragraph
- Use a times new roman font, size 12
- Apply double line spacing throughout your paper
- Employ standard 1” margins on all sides of the page
How to head a college paper
Like all parts of your essay, there are some laws to follow when preparing the title page for your paper. Some details to include on your title page include:
- Your first name and last name
- Professor’s name
- Course title
- Due date
- The title of your paper
Consult various sources to identify the format of your paper as per your referencing style. You may consider using software for your title page, reducing the likelihood of common title page errors.
Final take
Meticulous planning is essential for writing a college paper. We hope that these tips have helped you manage your paper. We would also love to help you in various areas where you could be stuck in your academic journey, ensuring your academic success.
