As you begin to engage in the actual writing part of the paper (only after you have already outlined your paper in detail and honed in on structure!), here are some tips that will guide you ahead.

Ideally, you will be starting from a comprehensive outline that establishes everything that your paper will touch on. The goal is to be in a place where all you have to do is actually write - put all your ideas together in a cohesive and clear manner. We've listed some things for you to remember.

Process

1. Start from wherever: Don’t feel the need to start writing your paper from the beginning. Some find it more helpful to start writing from a body paragraph (in many cases, the literature review or results section). Think of the writing stage as building out rather than from beginning to end. Whatever you can do to really hone in on what your research question is and how you are answering will help you.
2. Go back to the claim: Always, always go back to the claim. If you are stuck on a part of your paper, make sure it ties back to your question and how you are responding to the question (aka the hypothesis). If you include information that does not do that, it is likely that that information is not additive.
3. Read out loud: Routinely read your paper out loud so that you can ensure that your ideas are coming across clearly and effectively. If you are stuck on how you are phrasing a paragraph, read it from the top.
4. Tie it all back (if you have not already!): When you are considering a source or piece of information, always make sure it has some relevance to the specific argument that you are making. Always ask yourself “how is this related to my argument and question?” If you are struggling with this, chances are 1) the info is likely unnecessary or 2) your research question and argument are not specific enough! Specificity is the key to a successful paper.

Length

1. Short, simple, straightforward: If your paper can be shortened, shorten it. If an idea can be condensed and articulated in a way that is not as long, this is a sign that you should trim it down. The best research papers are the ones that communicate their ideas clearly rather than superfluously. Cohesiveness goes hand in hand with clarity-- think short, simple, and straightforward (the 3 S’s!)
2. Allocate effectively: Think about what the most important parts of your paper are and dedicate more real estate to those parts. Your introduction should not be longer than your literature review. Your conclusion should not be longer than your findings section.

Grammar

1. Use correct grammar: no explanation on this one. For resources on how to use correct grammar, feel free to visit this website - it’s our Writing Coach’s go-to!
2. ACTIVate!: Use the active voice! Using the active voice conveys a strong, clear tone and the passive voice is subtler and weaker. Wherever possible, replace passive voice with active voice (i.e. “Many types of enzymes can function as catalysts for the process” rather than “the process can be catalyzed by the many types of enzymes”). For more on this, visit this website.