Now the fun part -- writing!

(I don't care who you are -- that's funny.)

Write your rough draft. Don't wait until the night before your paper is due -- leave time for improving your report.  (See the Survive a Busy Schedule mini-lesson for extra tips.) Review your teacher's instructions or the style guide for formatting requirements.  Set your margins, tabs, etc.  Start typing from your notecards.  Include transitions when you change ideas.   If you have information you decide not to use, place that card at the bottom of the pile.  The information may be usable in the conclusion of your paper.   Add footnotes as required by your instructor.

Proof and proof again. Run spell check, then read your paper through again.  Spell check won't discover the wrong use of to, too, or two, for example.  Check your grammar. Read aloud and see if your paper "sounds" right.  Did you include smooth transitions from one topic to another?  Did you change paragraphs every time you started a new thought?

Have someone else check it.  Have someone you trust check your paper for errors.  Ask your teacher if he or she will look at it early and discuss corrections with you.

Make corrections and print the final paper. Use black ink on a good quality white paper -- at very least a 20 lb. cotton.  Don't scrimp here.  You have worked hard, so make a good first impression.

Insert illustrations.  Put your graphs, photos, art, etc. into the appropriate places in the body of your report.

Write the rough bibliography and contents. Put your author cards in alphabetical order. Since they are already in the correct format, copy them exactly.  Check your teacher's instructions or the style guide for the bibliography and contents page layouts.  Carefully check to see you have written the correct page numbers.

Proofread and correct your contents and bibliography. Run spell check.  Check your format.  Compare your print preview to the instruction sheet or style guide the teacher provided.  Have someone else proofread it once.  Print it out and check it again.  If there is just a minor error or two, correct it with a very sharp pencil.  If there are more, go back to the computer and make your corrections, then print it out again.

For the finishing touches,

Finishing Touches...

Create a title page. Follow your teacher's instructions or simply center your title one third of the way down the page in a simple type (18 pt. Times New Roman is good).  In the bottom right hand corner, put your name, class, and the date.

Showcase your work. Put your paper in order -- title page, contents, body, bibliography, blank sheet.  Hole punch your paper and put it into a nice three prong folder, or slide it into a clear covered folder.  Make a professional impression.  Keep it clean, neat, and simple!

Look one last time . . . Review your paper one final time.  If you find a typographical error, correct it neatly with a sharp pencil!  Turn it in ON TIME!!

Phew!  You did it! Go out and have a huge milkshake, kick off your shoes, and bask in the knowledge you gave it your very best shot!  Good job!

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