John Mitchell

Finals season is upon us, and you know what that means: writing, writing, and more writing! But whether you’re an expert essayist or a nervous mess (no judgement here), these simple tips will help you ace anything and everything that you write this semester!

1. Know Your Assignment

Make sure you read the directions for any assignment very carefully, and understand exactly what is asked of you before you start. Are you summarizing, analyzing, or comparing and contrasting? Do you know the difference between comparing and contrasting? Make sure you understand what the main point of the assignment is, and make sure you know the smaller stuff as well. Is your assignment supposed to be in MLA, APA, or Chicago format? Do you know the specifics of what each of those styles ask for? And of course, if you’re unclear on any detail of your assignment—big or small—ask your professor for clarification, they will be happy to help!

2. Plan Your Attack

Before writing your first paragraph, take some time to outline your essay. For each paragraph, write one to two sentences outlining your main points, and then start to build on those. Figure out your main point or primary argument first, and then start choosing supporting points or secondary details. Your introduction and conclusion will, in most cases, be a brief summary of your paper, so outline those last. If you need secondary material for your assignment, begin researching it during the outline stage. The Penn State Libraries website is an excellent place to start.

3. Adapt and Revise

If something really isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change tack. After all, forcing yourself to write a paper that just isn’t working never ends well. If you have the flexibility, find something that really speaks to you. Of course, no matter how good you think your paper is, you always need to double and triple check it. Take a few minutes away from your writing to clear your head, then come back and read it as if you never saw it before. Are there any obvious grammatical errors? Do the sentences flow together logically? Does your argument or topic make sense? If you have any doubts, revise! If your paper has a thesis, make sure it is clear and direct.

4. Ask for Help

If you’re really struggling with your paper, Penn State Abington has a great free resource to help you out! The Center for Student Achievement offers in-person and remote tutoring with most subjects, and they work with ESL students too. Whether you don’t know where to begin, or are struggling with your grammar, the Center for Student Achievement is a great resource paid for by your tuition. For more information, or to make an appointment, check out their webpage.

While essays and research papers may be scary, by using these simple tips, you can break them down into manageable steps and ace any assignment this semester, no matter how daunting it may seem at first glance. Good luck!