A process that almost guarantees you will write a good paperHere is a list of 
things we are looking for while reading your papers. 
 
-Staple It!
 
-Informative title centered above text.
 
-NO PROFANITY. (Automatic failed paper)
 
-Appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar.
 
-Minimal/ No Redundancy
 
-Thoughts flow in logical manner.
 
-All questions are answered. (If one part is missing it fails!)
 
-No smart comments – wise cracks – or trying to be humorous.
Make this as professional as possible.
 
-PROOFREAD (This does not mean spell-check)
 
-If research evidence is requested in order to support your position give      
the names of the authors and year of the investigation (for example, Jones, 
1985) in addition to describing in enough detail (and logical order) the 
experiment so that someone can easily understand what occurred.
 
-It’s obvious when you haven’t read the textbook!
 
-It’s not necessary for these papers to have a title page or a formal reference 
sheet.
 
Also, if there is anyone who does not have English as their first language and 
you are struggling with the papers we (the TA’s) would be glad to help.
 


The following may help you with longer, or more formal, papers in the future:
 
A process that almost guarantees you will write a good paper.  If your paper is 
not formal you will not need some of the steps as indicated. Also you will need 
to do considerable reading and preparation beforehand if is a formal paper and 
if it is a research paper, additional guidelines apply as set forth in the APA 
manual.  This is just a basic list.
 
1 Think about the topic
2 Write down all of the thoughts you want to explore in your paper
3 Organize them into an outline
4 Outline should include your main points as new paragraphs and the supporting 
sentences that go with them (see example)
5 Make sure these thoughts accurately address the topic (and not something 
similar)
6 Consult supporting materials to make sure your ideas are correct. (Get 
necessary references.)
7 Type up a rough draft.
8 Make sure format is correct (font, margins, etc) if specified.
9 Add Title Page, Reference Page, Headers, Running Head, pg. Numbers, etc. if 
needed.
10 Spell-check.
11 Check for redundancy within the overall paper.
12 Make sure ideas flow in a normal direction (Rearrange paragraphs and/or 
sentences if needed). 
13 Check that your conclusion accurately reflects your paper and addresses the 
topic.
14 Make sure any points you make answer who, what, why how questions.
15 Check for redundancy within paragraphs.
16Make sure each sentence is written as concisely as possible and check grammar 
and word meanings.  
17Make sure words such as “it, someone, people, them, they” etc are clarified 
who or what you are talking about if need be.
18 Upgrade your vocabulary (any word you can find a better or more formal word 
for – do it).
19 Check that your references are correct and in the correct format.  
20 Spell-check again.
21 Print a copy and read it.
22 Circle errors on the paper.
23 Go back and fix spelling errors and other errors you find.
24 Print again and give to a friend to read.
25 If you do this check their comments and fix again if necessary.
26 Print and turn in.
 
 
 
Ex:
        Is it ethical to use deception in experiments?
Intro – 
1        Necessary to get valid results
2        Ethical if conducted properly
1    Necessary
    A  To get valid results 
     B  Example of high blood pressure experiment
2        Ethical
A Debriefing
a)     Necessary to make participant understand use of deception
b)    Clarifies any misunderstandings
           B Informed consent
a)   Participants not totally blind
b)  Signed before experiment begins
            C IRB 
a)   All experiments must be reviewed by a board
b)  Copies of informed consent and debriefing along with purpose of the 
experiment and any use of deception explained
c)  Guidelines must be followed when conducting experiments
    Conclusion
     1 Deception is necessary
3        If all guidelines are followed should be ethical