Five Tips For Making ANY Paper Stronger

• Play Devil's Advocate.
  Many writers present only the evidence that supports their opinion on a topic, without acknowledging the other possible position(s). But papers that consider, and then dismantle, counterarguments show a willingness to be open-minded and critical. Read over your paper for places where you could acknowledge an opposing position, and then explain the flaws in that position (and, thus, further support your argument).


• Read only the introduction and conclusion.
  Writers often sit down with a working thesis in mind, but as they write, their argument shifts and develops as they incorporate evidence and reevaluate their position. This evolution of the argument is a normal part of writing, and it’s one of the ways in which writing helps us learn. Many times, however, writers forget to go back to make sure that the argument is consistent throughout. To avoid this problem, read only your introduction and conclusion. Ask yourself if the argument in the conclusion corresponds to what you said you planned to do in the introduction. If not, revise for consistency (in most cases, it makes the most sense to revise the introduction, since the conclusion usually offers an accurate assessment of what you actually accomplished in your argument).


• Make a reverse outline.
  Most writers are used to generating an outline before they begin writing to guide their drafting process. But some people find outlining tedious or constrictive, and prefer to write in a more free-form fashion. If you choose a less structured style of drafting, you might find it beneficial to create a reverse outline after you finish your draft. A reverse outline breaks your paper into its components: thesis, main ideas, evidence, etc., arranged in the order in which you present them in the paper. This technique highlights any potential structural problems. You might notice that you don’t seem to have enough evidence for one of your main ideas, or that one of your thoughts seems out of place.


• Review all quoted material.
  Most academic writing is text-based, and writers are expected to include quotations and paraphrases from assigned or researched texts. Incorporating source material effectively is a crucial element of college writing. Test your use of sources by picking out any quotes or paraphrases used in the paper. Make sure that each quote is adequately anchored with both an introduction (“So-and-So argues/claims/asserts/etc” or “According to So-and-So”) and an interpretation that established why this information is relevant to your argument. Also check that the source is properly cited. Ensure that your source material isn’t overwhelming; in most cases, quotes and paraphrases should only account for about 20% of your total paper.


• Proofread.
  You wouldn't go into a high-level business meeting with a rumpled suit and bedhead (we hope!). You wouldn't treat a patient with dirty hands. Your writing reflects on you in the same way your outward appearance does. A document that is full of spelling errors and grammatical mistakes suggests sloppiness and carelessness (an assumption that your professors or employers might then generalize to all of your work). Use our Proofreading Checklist to check for sentence clarity, conciseness, grammar errors, and spelling.

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