Writing a research paper can be a daunting task, but it need not be. Part of the reason we struggle with getting things done—such as writing a term paper—is that it is difficult to get started. We wait until the last minute, and that is never good. Therefore, applying some of the following suggestions to writing your term paper will help not only in respect to organization, but in overall time management as well.
Start by Going through the Assignment
•Gather your papers, handouts, books, and notes in one place. Shut the door and silence your phone.
•Sift through and organize the information. Record specifics that have been written on scraps of paper into a notebook or organizer.
•Examine the criteria for the project.
•Throw out any superfluous materials.
Collect your dates and write them down on a calendar
•Use a calendar or planner
•Record every date related to the paper. There may be different dates for outlines, approvals and so forth, and then there will be a final date that the paper is due. This is important. You may lose points on the whole paper just for not handing in an outline on time.
•You surely have other responsibilities. Write everything down on your calendar including social events, classes, and work hours.
Draft a Plan
•Writing the paper takes planning. When do you have time in your day to write the paper? Do you want to write the paper a little bit at a time or all at once? Neither approach really works. You will need to set aside blocks of time. Preferably, you will be working for about two hours at a clip.
•If you have filled in your entire calendar and can’t find a two-hour block of time, you are overscheduled. You can correct this in several ways: you might want to cancel unimportant commitments or sleep less. While ideally, students should get a fair amount of sleep, it is not unreasonable to wake up two hours earlier, or go to sleep two hours later, in order to get a paper done.
Schedule blocks of time
•How long did it take you to write your last research paper? If you know, divide that number by two and then you will know how many two hour blocks you will need to schedule. For example, if it took you ten hours to write a 12-page research paper, you will need five blocks of time to write the next one.
•If you haven’t a clue how long it will take to write the paper, figure about an hour per page. If you have a six-page paper to write, schedule three two-hour blocks of time. This may be too much time for an essay but perhaps not enough time for a graduate level thesis paper. Alter the one-page-per-hour rule of thumb accordingly.
•When to write? Schedule the time blocks as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the sooner you will finish.
Do Your Research But Not Too Much
•You should start with light research.
•Do not waste an inordinate amount of time doing the research before you start the paper. Students have a tendency to over-research. Just find a few solid sources to get started. If you are using online libraries and sources, set a timer for 30 minutes. Then, your preliminary research is done.
•Start writing the paper with your initial finds, class notes, and your personal knowledge. After you have put a dent in the paper, go out and get those hard facts to back up your claims.