Paper Structure
Title and Abstract
Title: Clear, concise, and informative. Should capture the essence of your research.
Abstract: 150-250 words summarizing purpose, methods, key findings, and conclusions.
Introduction
• Background and context
• Problem statement
• Research questions/hypothesis
• Significance of the study
Literature Review
• Survey of existing research
• Identify gaps in knowledge
• Theoretical framework
• Position your research
Methodology
• Research design
• Data collection methods
• Analysis procedures
• Limitations and assumptions
Writing Best Practices
Clarity and Conciseness
- Use active voice when possible
- Avoid jargon and complex sentences
- Be specific and precise
- Eliminate redundancy
Flow and Coherence
- Use transition words and phrases
- Maintain logical paragraph structure
- Ensure smooth connections between ideas
- Create clear topic sentences
Evidence and Support
- Use credible and current sources
- Integrate quotes and paraphrases smoothly
- Provide sufficient evidence for claims
- Balance different perspectives
Revision Process
- Take breaks between writing and editing
- Read aloud to catch errors
- Check for consistency in style
- Get feedback from peers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Structural Issues
- Weak thesis statement
- Poor paragraph organization
- Inadequate transitions
- Incomplete conclusions
Citation Problems
- Incorrect citation format
- Missing citations
- Over-reliance on quotes
- Plagiarism issues
Content Issues
- Unsupported claims
- Outdated sources
- Biased presentation
- Inadequate analysis
Style Problems
- Inconsistent formatting
- Grammatical errors
- Unclear language
- Inappropriate tone
Useful Writing Tools
Grammar and Style Checkers
• Grammarly
• Hemingway Editor
• ProWritingAid
• MS Word Grammar Check
Reference Management
• Zotero
• Mendeley
• EndNote
• RefWorks
Writing Environments
• LaTeX (for technical papers)
• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Scrivener
Productivity Tools
• Pomodoro timers
• Outline generators
• Mind mapping tools
• Writing goal trackers
Pre-Submission Checklist
Final Review
Content Review
- ☐ Clear thesis statement
- ☐ Logical argument flow
- ☐ Sufficient evidence for all claims
- ☐ Proper introduction and conclusion
- ☐ Adequate literature review
Format and Style
- ☐ Correct citation style throughout
- ☐ Consistent formatting
- ☐ Complete reference list
- ☐ Proper headings and subheadings
- ☐ Correct page numbers
Language and Grammar
- ☐ Spell check completed
- ☐ Grammar check completed
- ☐ Consistent verb tenses
- ☐ Clear and concise language
- ☐ Appropriate academic tone