Writing an Effective Paper
Step 1:
Think of a thesis and then write it as clearly as you
possibly can. Your thesis statement should be something
which a person can either agree or disagree with – not
something which is simply true or false.
Note: It often takes 3 or more revisions to make an idea
into an effective thesis statement.
Thesis
Statement
Writing an Effective Paper
Step 2:
Come up with 3 to 4 main ideas that support your thesis
and which can be backed up with concrete evidence.
These will form your body paragraphs.
Come up with the strongest 1 or 2 points somebody
arguing against your idea would likely use. This will
comprise your Devil’s Advocate paragraph.
Supporting Idea #1
Thesis
Statement
Supporting Idea #2
Supporting Idea #3
“Devil’s Advocate” Idea(s)
Writing an Effective Paper
Step 3:
Hunt for evidence. For each idea from step 2, you’ll need 2
pieces of evidence for an English paper and 4 pieces of
evidence for a social science or science paper.
Supporting Idea #1
Thesis
Statement
Evidence 1:
Evidence 2:
Evidence 3:
Evidence 4:
Evidence 1:
Supporting Idea #2 Evidence 2:
Evidence 3:
Evidence 4:
Evidence 1:
Supporting Idea #3 Evidence 2:
Evidence 3:
Evidence 4:
“Devil’s Advocate” Idea(s)
Writing an Effective Paper
Intro
Start by filling in the red parts of your paper:
Body
Step 4:
Hook
Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3
Thesis Statement
Supporting Idea Intro
Commentary x1 *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence
Evidence x2
is reversed in English usually.
Commentary x1
Evidence x2
MiniConclusion
Devil’s Advocate Idea(s)
Commentary + Evidence
Conclusion
x3
Writing an Effective Paper
Intro
Then, write the black parts:
Body
Step 5:
Hook
Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3
Thesis Statement
Supporting Idea Intro
Commentary x1 *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence
Evidence x2
is reversed in English usually.
Commentary x1
Evidence x2
MiniConclusion
Devil’s Advocate Idea(s)
Commentary + Evidence
Conclusion
x3
Writing an Effective Paper
Intro
Last, cut and paste your intro into your conclusion:
Body
Step 6:
Hook
Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3
Thesis Statement
Supporting Idea Intro
Commentary x1 *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence
Evidence x2
is reversed in English usually.
Commentary x1
Evidence x2
MiniConclusion
Devil’s Advocate Idea(s)
Commentary + Evidence
Conclusion
x3
Writing an Effective Paper
Step 7:
To finish, turn your conclusion into an effective wrap up…
Conclusion:
- Reword the hook and the summary of
supporting evidence and make it about 3
sentences.
- Mention the arguments made and
answered in your devil’s advocate
paragraph.
- Conclude with a restatement of your thesis
statement using stronger language.
Writing an Effective Paper
Step 8:
Finishing Touches
Title Page
Cite Sources / Bibliography
Proof Read
Peer Review and Revise
Proof Read Again