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Writer's Guidebook - Vital Details of a Well-Developed Paper

Besides all of the important aspects of a paper that have been discussed in the Writer's Handbook, there are still some vital details necessary for a well-developed paper that need to be mentioned. 

When finished with the writing process, remember to Submit Your Paper for Revision Suggestions.

Thesis/Purpose Statement

The thesis statement is sometimes called the focus statement, and papers may also contain a purpose statement.  Thesis statements are absolutely critical for writing a well focused and organized paper.  Do not attempt to write a paper without first creating a thesis statement.  For help understanding what a thesis statement is and how to create one, please click on the links below.

• The Thesis Statement (From Guide to Grammar and Writing)
• Developing a Thesis Statement (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Thesis Statements (From University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign)

Some papers may also require a purpose statement.  For further understanding of the difference between thesis and purpose statements, and how to write a purpose statement, please view the following link:

• Thesis and Purpose Statements (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Transitions

Many students are concerned about whether their paper "flows".  Besides the critical componenets of a thesis statement, focus, and organization that are needed to insure "flow", it is also important to use transitional words and phrases.  For a complete discussion of using transtitional words and phrases please view the links below.

• Coherence: Transition Between Ideas (From Guide to Grammar and Writing)
• Transitions (From University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign)

Concise Sentences

Concise sentences make a paper easier to read and protect the writer from being too"wordy".  For more information on concise sentences and how to write them, please view the links below.

• Clear, Concise, and Direct Sentences (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Writing Concise Sentences (From Guide to Grammar and Writing)

Quotations

Quotations can add emphasis to a paper that a paraphrase of the information may not allow for, so it can be beneficial to use quotations in your paper.  However, we caution you from using too many.  Limit the number of quotations in your paper; only use quotations when needed. 

Too many quotations makes for a paper that is only be a replica of someone else's thoughts because it does not include any of your own thoughts.  For more information on quotations and incoporating them in to your paper please view the links below.

• Quotations (From University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign)
• Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Paraphrasing & Summarizing

Paraphrasing and summarizing are essential skills to learn in order to write a paper.  For more information on paraphrasing and summarizing information, please view the links below.

Paraphrasing

• Paraphrase: Write it in Your Own Words (From Purdue OWL)
• Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Summarizing

• Summaries (From University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign)

Editing, Proofreading, and Peer Reviews

When you have finished the writing process, the paper will need to be edited and proofread.  One tip we give students is to read through the paper from the last sentence to the first sentence.  Taking the sentences out of order better insures that you read the sentences as they actually are written instead what how you may think they are written.  Then you can read through the paper out loud from the beginning to catch any mistakes you may have missed and make sure the paper flows from one idea to the next.  For help with editing, profreading, and peer reviewing, please view the links below.

Editing

• The Editing and Rewriting Process (From Guide to Grammar and Writing)
• Writing Tips: Five Editing Principles (From University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign)
• Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist (From University fo Wisconsin-Madison) 

Proofreading

• How to Proofread (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Peer Reviews

• Peer Reviews (From University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Plagiarism

Writing a paper using  ideas and knowledge from outside sources (anything that is not your own and that is not common knowledge) can lead to plagiarism if not documented properly or paraphrased appropriately.  For more information on what plagiarism is, how to document sources, and how to properly paraphrase, please view the links below.

• Plagarism: What it is and how to avoid it (From GSU)
• Avoiding Plagiarism (From Purdue OWL)
• Documentation Styles