• Reducing Writing Anxiety
• Library Tips
• Writing The Paper

• Get a Calendar or Academic Planner.
• Follow the tips in the scheduling time box of this chart.
• First, write down the due date for the paper.
• Next, count backwards. How many days will you need to edit, re-write, revise, write, take notes, research, read, select, and narrow the topic?
• Now you know what day you will need to begin the paper.
• Review and revise this process after each paper.
• Be sure to know exactly what your instructor expects.
• Invest in a computer and learn to type your own papers. Do not depend on other people to bail you out; you will quickly learn that everyone has their own paper to deal with. Even paid typists can be unreliable.
• Don't be afraid to express a unique opinion. The key is to document and support your ideas in an organized and cogent manner.
• When proofreading text, start at the end of your paper. Read one sentence at a time and work your way to the beginning. Why? Your brain already knows what you have written. By reading from the end to the beginning, the pattern is broken and you will find more errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Do not rely on spellcheck. Remember "principle" and "principal" are both correct spellings. Which word did you intend to use? Other biggies-"to" and "too," "it's" and "its."
• Plagiarism means taking another person's words or ideas your own. Be careful to always cite your source, whether you quote directly or paraphrase. Remember, if it's not common knowledge or your original idea, you must cite the source.

Be sure that the topic is acceptable to the teacher and has sufficient available resource material.

• Do not wait until your first research paper/project to scope out the campus library.
• Many libraries offer tours for freshmen.
• Find out early what resources the library has.
• Learn now to use its computers and card catalogs to find books by subject or author.
• Practice using every machine in the library. (i.e. microfiche, CD ROM's, etc.)
• Use the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature for magazine articles; Encyclopedias for general information on most known topics; Almanac for facts, lists, charts and tables; Atlas for maps, etc. Ask the librarian for instructions on using them and help in locating other specific reference sources for your paper.
• Know, in advance, copier laws and procedures.
• Where are copiers located?
• Does the copier require cash or some sort of copy card?
• Talk to other students, especially those browsing shelves or studying in the same area as you are. You never know what kind of contact you could make or what kind of information you could gain.
• Check out the local community libraries. They may house the one obscure article or book you need to earn that "A."

• Make/use index cards ( put the topic at the top of each card), notes, bibliographies, summaries, reports and reviews as part of your preparation process to organize your materials.
• Prepare a Written Outline
• Don't make the mistake of trying to keep everything in your head.
• Make your outline in the form of main headings or ideas with sub-headings fleshing out the flow of the paper. This will establish the paper's content and conclusion.
• Write the Paper
• Use the outline as a guide and stick to it.
• Write in your own natural style.
• Reread, rewrite, revise and edit until the paper says exactly what you want to say in the way you want to say it.
• Use Correct Punctuation and Grammar.
• Use a spelling and grammar checker if using a word processor.