by Judi Kesselman-Turkel and Franklynn Peterson
Few students ever get a course on how to study or how to take tests. But at least four teachers along the way take the time to teach exactly how to write a theme or term paper.
So why do most students freeze up when it comes time to write the paper? Why does practically no one hand in a paper before the due date?
Here's why. Almost every paper assigned is based on ideas. Teachers label facts, but it's the rare teacher who says, "Here's an idea for you." So how do you know an idea? How do you show it? Where do you start?
Start with a topic. Narrow it down to what you can cover easily in the assigned length. Stick to the topic and develop it thoroughly, using facts or examples to support every statement.
Organize your ideas so they make sense. Here are some of the most used ways of organizing:
 | In time sequence (such as from cause to effect or from start to finish); |
| from the general to the specific (or from the theoretical to the practical); |
| from least to most, easiest to hardest, worst to best or weakest to strongest; |
| from most to least well know or probable; |
| by giving equal time to both sides (such as pros and cons or similarities and differences). |
The biggest point-loser in writing papers is failing to know and do what's asked for. Here's a short guide to the most common theme assignment words.
| Name, list, define, tell, enumerate: These all mean just to give the information the question asks for. |
| Summarize and outline mean give the main points. |
| Define means just give the meaning. |
| Illustrate means give examples. (Three examples is a safe number.) |
| Justify means give facts that prove it's true. |
| Prove means show why it's true. Often this includes showing why its opposite is false. |
| Discuss and review mean examine from all angles. |
| Compare means show how two (or more) things are the same and how they differ. |
| Contrast means just show the difference. |
| Evaluate means give your opinion of the advantages and disadvantages or benefits and drawbacks. |
| Criticize means give all the pros and cons (or at least three). Often you're also expected to tell which side you agree with and why. |
| Explain means show, in logical sequence, how something happened, how something works or what something means. |
Here are six more pointers that lead to grade A papers:
- Know the difference between fact and opinion. If you're using facts, make sure you tell what their source is unless it's obvious. (Even a fact like the Earth being round may need a source if you're writing a science paper.)
- Get specific. For every general statement, give several examples to show what you mean. (Three is a safe number whenever you're asked for "several.")
- Keep your language simple. Using a simple word correctly makes a much better impression than misusing or misspelling a complex word.
- For any opinion you give, state whose opinion it is. If it's yours, make sure you explain and support the opinion with facts.
- Don't put any new ideas in your ending. The ending of a paper should always just sum up the main point.
- Once you've got it all down, do what professional writers do: edit and revise. Revision, too, is seldom taught in school. The book Secrets to Writing Great Papers (University of Wisconsin Press), from which these tips are taken, includes a checklist of problems and points to look for as you make revisions.
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Most of the preceding tips were excerpted from the book Secrets to Writing Great Papers by Judi Kesselman-Turkel and Franklynn Peterson, which is used in schools and colleges through the U.S. and Europe. Published by the University of Wisconsin Press, it is sold through bookstores at $6.95. It is part of an eight-book series that includes Test-Taking Strategies, Note-Taking Made Easy, Research Shortcuts, Spelling Simplified, The Grammar Crammer, The Vocabulary Builder and Study Smarts.