How to Write a Paper

Andy Naselli gives advice about how to write a paper. He breaks down the paper-writing process into five steps: 1. Understand the assignment. Know where you are trying to go before you start the journey. 2. Plan ahead. Prepare far in advance so that you complete your research paper well before the deadline. 3. Choose your approach. Prove a thesis (deductive), or explore a problem (inductive). 4. Research and write. Draft the paper. 5. Revise. Polish the cannonball. Step 4 is the big one, so most of the book explains the research-and-write stage. It has six interconnected components: research, organizing the paper, developing a coherent argument, interacting with contrary views, writing clearly and concisely, using proper grammar, syntax, and format, and removing distractions by mastering the mechanics. Appendices address plagiarism, artificial intelligence, grading, and productivity. -- Back cover.