5 Steps to a Finished Paper

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5 Steps to a Finished Paper

• Break the big job into steps
• Do each step completely
• Six weeks -- a little at a time -- and its done!

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5 Steps to a Finished Paper
5. Revise Check, Add, Subtract, Fix, Transitio
ns, Introduction, Conclusion.
4. Write -- paragraphs, sections, first draft
Let it Sit.
3. Organize Your Notes
2. Research, Read, and Take Notes
1. Decide on Topic
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5 Steps to a Finished Paper

• Start with a broad subject
• Make it of personal interest to you
• Do preliminary research
• Narrow the Topic to mangeable size
• Use System
• Use Mind Maps
• Find a Focus
• Answer 1 compelling question

1. Decide on Topic
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Silver Dollar Selection System

• Read through and mark important ideas with S.
• Read those ideas again and put one line through
  the S of the most important ideas --
• Read through those ideas again and add another
  line through the , for a

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CONCEPT or MIND MAPS

• Key concepts
• Flexible
• Flow from general to specific
• Show connections
• Add color, symbols, illustrations

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Create Mind Maps
Key Words
Note Taking
Symbols
Taking Notes
Review
Summaries
Colors Images
Studying
Connections
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5 Steps to a Finished Paper

• Learn about the library services
• Conduct interviews and find other sources of
  information
• Do computer searches
• Try the Internet and Web
• Browse the shelves
• Get a variety of sources
• Read
• Take Notes

2. Research, Read, and Take Notes
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Working Bibliography Cards
Barnett, Donald L. and James B.
Steele. Forevermore Nuclear Waste in
America. New York Norton, 1985. 546.32ie Lower
level of library B S

• Last name, first name and first name last name
  (if there are other authors) .
• Article Title Book or Journal Title underlined.
  
• City Publishers name, year. OR Datepage -
  .
• Call number
• Location your own code for cards

Stresser, Stan. Report from Cambodia. The New
Yorker. 18 May 199243-75. Periodicals
Upstairs SS 1
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5 Steps to a Finished Paper

• Remember the 1 compelling question you are
  answering
• Select research materials that answer that
  question
• Cluster notes along the 4-7 main ideas and the
  supporting ideas
• Decide on order of presentation using mind maps
  or outlines
• Fill in any gaps in your organizational pattern

3. Organize Your Notes
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5 Steps to a Finished Paper

• Select your organization
• Divide note cards to follow your plan
• Write paragraphs on ideas that are easy to write
  -- act of writing brings on ideas -- write
  spontaneously -- jot down ideas, not complete
  sentences
• Connect ideas, move things around
• Type draft and then let it sit.

4. Write -- paragraphs, sections, first draft
Let it Sit.
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Getting down to Writing

• Write for speed and quantity
• Dont edit yet
• Let inner writer take over
• Mind map to generate new ideas
• Make writing a habit -- a little every day
• Take breaks
• Use visualizations and affirmations
• REWRITE -- REWRITE -- REWRITE

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5 Steps to a Finished Paper
5. Revise Check, Add, Subtract, Fix, Transitio
ns, Introduction, Conclusion.

• Transitions
• Correct spelling and grammar
• Add supporting evidence
• State each point clearly
• Add data, quotes, statistics
• Illustrate with examples
• Add full credits for ideas and quotes
• Bibliography
• Title, Introduction, Conclusion

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Polishing your Creation

• Read out loud
• Use a friend, tutor, or other person to edit
• Delete unnecessary words -- dont hold on
• Rearrange so the paper flows logically
• Fine-turn your writing -- lean and mean -- action
  verbs and strong nouns
• Clear ideas, catchy introduction, simple
  summaries, details that support conclusions

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Make it look professional

• Typed -- 12 pt. Font with seraphs -- like
  Palatino or Times Roman -- double space
• Title -- 2 from top of first page
• Margins -- 1 1/2 at left, 1 top, right, and
  bottom
• Indent paragraphs 1/2
• Single space quotations over 5 lines long
• Your name and page number in header

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5 Steps to a Finished Paper
5. Revise Check, Add, Subtract, Fix, Transitio
ns, Introduction, Conclusion.
4. Write -- paragraphs, sections, first draft
Let it Sit.
3. Organize Your Notes
2. Research, Read, and Take Notes
1. Decide on Topic
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Any Questions?