July 1, 2026
I once wrote “when I’m down and out and feeling lost, I start writing; it lifts my burden or solves a problem.”
On to writing a paper. Let us assume you have selected or been assigned a topic for a paper. For example, it might be Save the Planet, or Winston Churchhill, or gambling, or school taxes, etc. For me, the next step is KEY. Gather up all the resources you have on the topic. This can include books, articles, newspaper clippings, magazines, etc. Review them several times. You are now ready to start on your journey.
The second KEY step is to prepare an outline. My recommendations here differ significantly from others. I start with one sheet of paper. It will be a mess when I get through with it. It will initially contain the title, and subject areas that will be reviewed. Material will soon be spread out over the sheet jammed with scribbled notes that will become the heart of the manuscript/paper.
The manuscript now starts expanding. Each subject area is assigned a page. Where applicable, these could be pages that will be assigned to the abstract, introduction…and conclusion. These pages get filled out with my thoughts and notes from a variety of sources.
What remains is simply to write the paper. Each subject page is prepared in camera-ready form, written with correct grammar (spellcheck is helpful here), and properly formatted. Some of the aforementioned subject pages may now be replaced by 4 or 5 pages. Footnotes/references are often part of what you have prepared. These pages are placed together and numbered. Final preparations include drawing any diagrams/illustrations, preparing any tables and physically typing the paper. If applicable, a table of contents, dedication(s), and a reference section may be included; at this stage, the manuscript should be double-spaced with wide margins laterally and vertically.
Wait. There’s more. Consider what you have just written as a “rough draft.” Now it’s time to proof /rewrite the paper. Allow lots of time here. Proof and rewrite. Proof and rewrite. Keep at it. You might also consider having others proof your work. Reading it aloud is helpful. When you are satisfied that your paper is where you want it to be, print it out on single-sided, 8 ½ x 11 inch unruled white paper – single-spaced with adequate margins.
Finally, here are a dozen baker’s hints from my files.
- The primary objective of any report is to inform others.
- Correct written English is a must.
- Each paragraph should have an opening and a closing sentence with supporting sentences in between.
- A cover letter, if required, may be written in the first person.
- You may plagiarize government literature (since you own it) provided it is properly referenced.
- Improving on someone else’s writing is generally acceptable. Plagiarism occurs when you represent someone else’s work as being your own.
- The abstract or executive summary requires the most careful writing of any section of the paper/report. Although it appears first, it should be the last section to be written. Its length is usually one paragraph, or approximately one-half of a page.
- The abstract is a stand-alone part of the paper; it should not refer to any part of the written paper. Why is the abstract important? Because it is the only part of the paper most people will read.
- All symbols (where applicable) used in the paper must be listed in a table at the end of the paper / report.
- Each entry should give a brief statement as to the meaning of the symbol and the dimensions (units) that pertain to it.
- Use alphabetical order, with Greek letters and special symbols presented last.
- Allow extra time for your first paper.
- It is not uncommon to underestimate the time required to write a paper the first few times around.
I hope this helps.
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