Writing Tips

QUICK WRITING TIPS

Complete each step in the writing process

• Read the syllabus and assignment expectations thoroughly

• Brainstorm a topic

• Narrow or broaden your topic as needed

• Research your topic and gather information - see the librarian for assistance

• Develop a thesis or research question

• Construct an outline

• Write a rough draft and format your paper correctly

• Proof read your paper thoroughly and have someone you know proof read it

• Revise, revise, revise

• Type your final draft

• Read your final draft aloud

• Revise again, if needed

Use transition words/phrases in your paper

• To Add:

and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)

• To Compare:

whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true

• To Prove:

because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

• To Show Exception:

yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

• To Show Time:

immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

• To Repeat:

in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

• To Emphasize:

definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation

• To Show Sequence:

first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

• To Give an Example:

for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate

• To Summarize or Conclude:

in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently

Source: Purdue Owl