By: Megan Kostraba and Lee Salazar
Without a doubt, one of the most daunting steps in the writing process is actually starting. It does not matter whether you are a seasoned writer or if you are writing your first college paper. There is something so nerve-wracking and downright terrifying about staring at a blank page full of endless possibilities. But that’s okay; it’s normal and we have all been there.
Then there’s what comes next—writing the actual paper. Sometimes, you can plan and plan, but you still aren’t sure what to say. How to get from point A to point B can be difficult, but by establishing a writing process that works for you—it will get easier.
High School vs College Papers
Amongst many writers, especially first-years, there seems to be a reluctance to let go of the many models and rules taught to them during their primary and high school years. Many writers fall back on the “five paragraph” essay format because it is what they are most familiar with. Some writers will also find themselves counting their paragraphs to make sure that they have at least five sentences because that is what they have been told qualifies as a complete, proper paragraph. Some writers might find themselves leaning toward writing an overly extravagant hook sentence, adding transitional phrases before every paragraph, including three pieces of supporting evidence in their thesis statements, or trying to completely write their paper in a single day. All of this is a result of the way that most high schools go about teaching essays.
It is important to note that high school primarily teaches writers how to write essays, whereas in college, writers are expected to write papers. Essays are typically shorter in length and are often timed. In this case, the five-paragraph structure makes sense because it allows writers to quickly organize and outline their ideas, especially if what they are writing is timed. In college, however, most classes expect papers. Papers are similar to essays, but they are usually lengthier and have a more complex thesis, argument, and structure. Research and outside evidence are also typical in most college papers. So, for writers who are accustomed to high school essays, trying to apply the same format to papers will leave them feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and discouraged. Understanding the distinction between essays and papers may be beneficial for you as you begin the writing process, but also as you enter college English courses, as some professors use both terms. While this distinction still exists, in college, papers will be called essays, and essays will be referred to as papers.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with the way that high school essays are written—these methods have an appropriate time and place—the problem lies in the lack of proper transition between high school and college writing. Because some writers never received the same amount of instruction for their college papers as they have in the past, they may want to avoid deviating from what they know and from what is routine. This then causes certain writers to feel like their writing does not sound “academic” enough. That being said, writing a college paper for the first time is scary, we won’t deny it, but the more that you do it and get out of your comfort zone, the more you will get used to the feeling. Pretty soon, you will be confident writing papers just as much as essays!
Before starting
Understanding the Assignment
Before you even begin to research, outline, or brainstorm, it is firstly important to understand the assignment. Make sure that you carefully read the assignment so that you can take note of what your professors are looking for. Professors will usually include everything they expect your paper to contain. For example, in the assignment instructions, a professor will usually specify the required page/word count, formatting, citation style, etc. If you have a question or are unsure about a certain part of the assignment, reread the instructions to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Often, you will find that your professor has already answered your question!
Once you feel like you have a good understanding of the assignment, you can then begin to collect all your resources and supplies. If you have a hard time remembering how to cite or format your paper according to a specific citation style, you might want to have those guidelines open on your device so that you can reference them as much as you need. If you have a hard time remembering all the specific things you need to include in your paper, you might want to keep the assignment instructions open. Along with this, professors will sometimes include examples or templates of what they are looking for. Sometimes stress or upcoming deadlines will cause writers to overlook certain things, so make sure you read your assignment carefully and to look around your Canvas modules to see if your professor provided any additional resources you can use.
However, if you still are unsure about something, you have other options at your disposal. The first thing that you should do is reach out to your professor for more clarification. Professors want you to do well in their class, so asking for further explanation, especially if it’s hindering you from starting, is actually encouraged. You can either contact your professor during class time, at their specific office hours, or by sending a polite email. The next thing you can do is visit the Writing Center! Tutors of all different disciplines are more than happy to help with citations, formatting, structural revisions, brainstorming, and any other part of the writing process.
Planning out the Assignment
Before putting words onto paper, it is important to know and plan out what you are going to write. This means doing all your research and collecting the sources you plan to cite in your paper. Along with this, outlining is beneficial to both structure your paper and to keep your information, ideas, and arguments organized. There are many ways to outline, but the main goal is to build a blueprint for yourself so that you don’t end up writing yourself into a hole. Outlines can be anything from a bulleted list to a flow chart to notes on a whiteboard – anything that will help you better understand the structure and direction of your paper. Think of it this way: an outline is the bare bones of your paper, a way to get general ideas in their proper place. You can only add in the meat of your paper—the actual words and sentences—once you have a solid foundation. Since most college papers will be on the lengthier side, outlining is crucial so that you know you will be able to meet the required page or word count.
Formatting
Before beginning, you might want to format your paper to get it out of the way. Depending on the required citation style, this can mean making your title page, heading, section headings, works cited/references section, etc. Formatting your paper before beginning might make it easier since the page isn’t so blank, and it also allows you to procrastinate a bit longer while also remaining productive.
Thesis
The most important sentence in your paper will always be your thesis. Your thesis is what you are arguing, what your paper is defending, and what your main purpose is. Because the entirety of your paper tends to be structured around this sentence, it is important to have a strong thesis before beginning so that you don’t start writing with no direction; you need something to work towards. Developing your thesis can be tricky, but it is worth taking the time to really think about it and get it right. Writers develop their theses in many different ways. Some know what their thesis is before they even begin to outline, while others only know it after their entire paper is written. Again, the writing process is personal, but you might find that talking through your thesis ideas with a friend, professor, or tutor might be helpful!
Starting the Paper
So, you’ve read the assignment, you’ve got your formatting ready, and you outlined how you want your paper structured. Now what? Well, that really depends on what works best for you! Some people like to work backwards, writing a conclusion first. Others like to get all of their research within body paragraphs out of the way, so that’s the main priority. Or, some prefer to have their introduction all done so they can reference it as they write. It’s up to you! When it comes down to it, there is no “right” way to write a paper. You can start at the easiest point or the hardest, but that’s different for everyone.
As you write, it’s also important to ask yourself, “where should I stop?”. Some writers may choose a stopping point when they no longer know what to write, but the easier option would actually be to stop when you do know what to write next! This way, you can come back to your paper, ready to go with your next idea.
Introduction
Some view the introduction as the hardest part of a paper, and that’s why they prefer to leave it for last. An introduction can be intimidating! Depending on what your paper is about, you may want to start your paper off with something that will get your readers attention, like a hook, and that can be hard to think of. What you want to avoid though, is the cliches. There are a lot of common ways to write an introduction sentence, including writing out the definition of a word or giving a vague generalization. For example:
Humans have loved since the dawn of time.
According to the dictionary, the definition of love is the act of showing affection for someone.
In this day and age, love is . . .
These are things your reader probably already knows and has heard before. You want to try to pique your reader’s interest—make them want to continue reading. Try using an interesting fact, a statistic, a question, or even a personal anecdote. You want to put your voice into your paper, and that starts with your first sentence. For example:
According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 43 percent of adults claim that stress has caused them to lie awake at night in the past month.
French cinema is the most influential genre of film in the last 100 years and has singlehandedly shaped modern cinema as we know it.
A pulsing drumbeat flows through my headphones, outlining the foundation for a song. Moments later, the strong sounds of a driving base line blast through the underlying percussion.
The introduction is also all about context—this is the spot where you explain and show readers what you are going to be writing about. There’s no need to make it into a whole summary; that should be avoided. Your reader, however, will need to know some information about where your paper will be heading, and that’s where your thesis comes in. Whether you choose to write it first or last, your introduction needs to incorporate some of these essential elements. Understanding and learning how you prefer to structure your introduction is a part of the writing process!
Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs are the meat of your paper—this is where you get into your subject and use research (if you have any). Each paragraph should have a purpose, whether that be introducing a new idea or continuing one. There is no specific length for a body paragraph, as long as you have completely answered a question or covered a topic. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that will transition into your subject and purpose of the paragraph, and then also end with a sentence that concludes or sums up your main idea.
If starting here is what works for you, go for it! Incorporating research into your paper and connecting it to your main idea is the biggest task of your paper; it takes up about 70% of your writing. So, if doing this first will help you establish what needs to go in your introduction, go for it. Or, if leaving this for last will give you more time to collect all your research, that’s great too. The writing process is one that you get to make.
Tip! Avoid starting and ending body paragraphs with a quotation—your quotations should rather be placed within your body paragraph where you then have the time to explain or elaborate on their contribution to your paper. If you start or end your paragraphs with quotations, it seems like you’re giving someone else the beginning thought, or final word!
The Conclusion
The ending—another intimidating element of your paper. Some go into the conclusion thinking it needs to be this grand ending, and trying to make it so puts a lot of pressure on a person. We like to think of the conclusion with a simpler mindset; the conclusion is the “so what” of your paper, the “why is this important?” Yes, it’s true that you should restate your ideas and thesis (as you do in your introduction), but you also want to show your reader why your paper is significant—what should they have gained after reading your paper? Think about how your reader should feel after reading—persuaded, enlightened, informed? All of these factors can help you write a conclusion, which doesn’t need to be a specific length either. Some writers like to write their conclusion early on during the writing process, so they have a foundation laid out for the direction they want their paper to go. Some writers also prefer to leave the conclusion for last, so they have all the information in their paper structured out already. It’s ultimately a personal choice.
How you choose to write each individual part of your paper is up to you. The best way to develop your own writing process is with practice.
To Sum it Up:
Writing is hard. It is even more difficult when you are unsure of where to begin. It’s a long, strenuous process where you have to create your own ideas, prove those ideas, and then find a way to effectively articulate those ideas using your own words. But fret not gentle reader; by using this article as a guide, you should be able to understand the basics of preparing for and getting started on a college paper. The writing process is different for everyone, so knowing the basics is a great starting point. Over time, and with more papers under your belt, you will develop a writing process that is more personal to you and your needs.
The blank page will always remain scary, but for now, remember that the more practice you get, the more comfortable you will become with the process as a whole; you just have to hang in there!
Goodbye and good luck!
