Introduction -- Step 1: Decide on Size -- 1st Problem: No specific length is assigned -- Step 2: Tackle the Topic -- 2nd Problem: How to recognize an idea -- 3rd Problem: Teacher assigns too broad a topic -- 4th Problem: The assigned topic is boring -- 5th Problem: You don't know anything about the topic -- 6th Problem: You've got to find your own topic -- Step 3: Adopt an Approach -- 7th Problem: You can choose any approach and you don't know where to start -- 1. You're giving directions -- 2. You're reporting events -- 3. You're explaining ideas -- 4. You're persuading
5. You're inventing a story -- 8th problem: Confusion over what abstract means -- 9th problem: You want to tackle two approaches -- 10th problem: You're assigned a specific approach but you're not sure what it means -- Step 4: Test the Title -- 11th Problem: You're not sure whether the title cover certain ideas -- Step 5: Pick a Point of View -- 12th Problem: Confusion between approach and point of view -- 13th Problem: Confusion between aspect and point of view -- 14th Problem: Graders look for originality -- Step 6: Chart Your Course -- 15th Problem: When you think about subtopics, you go blank
1. Finding subtopics for diection-giving papers -- 2. Finding subtopics for reports -- 3. Finding subtopics for explanations of ideas -- 4. Finding subtopics for the persuasive paper -- 5. Finding subtopics for a short story -- 16th Problem: The topic is too specific for a long paper -- 17th Problem: Where to put ideas that aren't part of the main idea -- Step 7: Formulate your first words -- 18th Problem: The Introduction has to be extra special -- Step 8: Build the body -- Step 9: Conclude Concisely -- Step 10: Check for Quality Control -- 19th Problem: The paper's not the right size
Appendix: Edited first draft of paper -- Tables and Checklists -- Average Expected Word Length for Papers -- Words Commomly Used to Show Approach -- Formal Outline Format -- Average Expected Number of Ideas and Facts for Papers -- Checklists for Organizing Papers or Sections of Papers -- Checklist for Editing
