If you want to improve your academic writing skills, it’s better to learn from experts. Striving for the best will help you grow. To aid you in that, we’ve prepared a set of tips with the help of professional research paper writers. Let it be the base of your improvement journey.

Choose the Topics Wisely

When given freedom of topic choice, take some time to choose it. Find out what’s relevant to the prompts you’ve got and to the issues of the modern world. Also, check whether the topic isn’t too generalized. Such themes are quite popular and it may be difficult to bring anything new with your essay.

Professionals working at AdvancedWriters – research paper writing service suggest narrowing down the topic of your interest.

Make the Research Deeper

Go below the surface of the subject and look for detailed studies and articles. Online libraries are really good for that because you can search for the necessary material using keywords.

Here are some tips on essay research:

  • Take time to read the summaries of books and articles;
  • Research material from different years to see the dynamic relevant to the topic;
  • Take advantage of trustworthy dissertations and research papers;
  • Find field-specific websites to make sure you don’t get lost in all the info;
  • Have a subject-specific glossary at hand.

Always Make Notes

Before you start writing, you may get some thoughts and ideas that might be good for the essay. Make sure you have a notepad or your smartphone nearby at all times. When you think of a strong thesis, a good transition, another source of research, etc., write it down.

Noting also means highlighting the key elements of the articles that you can cite in the paper. Go wild, choose different colors for different kinds of quotes, write comments, print stuff and hang it on the wall if you have to. By making notes, you prepare a path for yourself to go along when you plan and write the essay.

Never Underestimate a Nice Outline

If you create a detailed outline and fill it with the notes you’ve taken, the result will be an almost completed essay. Never underestimate the importance of a good plan.

Here’s an example of an essay carcass:

  • Introduction:
    • Catchy introductory sentence/question;
    • Strong thesis;
  • Main body:
    • Paragraph 1:
      • Topic sentence (argument);
      • Supporting evidence;
      • Your thoughts on how it proves your thesis;
    • Paragraph 2:
      • Another topic sentence (another argument);
      • Supporting evidence;
      • Your thoughts/explanation;
    • Paragraph 3:
      • Another argument or a counterargument;
      • Supporting or refuting evidence;
      • Your thoughts/explanation;
  • Conclusion:
    • Summary of your arguments and evidence;
    • A wider version of the thesis;
    • Call for action.

Pay Attention to the Format

Your school should provide you with a requirements sheet containing the prompts, deadline, format of the essay, etc. The format they require is a critical point that will influence your grade.

There are different formats, including:

  • American Psychological Association (APA) for Sciences, Psychology, and Education;
  • Modern Language Association (MLA) for the Humanities;
  • Chicago/Turabian for Fine Arts, History, and Business.

Standard formats give clarity and make even a difficult paper easy to understand and navigate. They also help focus on the content of the essay and find used sources easily.

It’s important to follow the requirements of a specific format, as it also may improve or lower your mark.

Learn Critical Thinking

Writing academic papers requires critical thinking. It allows students to see the problem from different angles and be adequate in their judgment.

Some elements of critical thinking are:

  • Assuming you’re not always right;
  • Evaluate the things you hear or read;
  • Considering motive;
  • Question everything to a certain extent.

Critical thinking helps you build correct theses and choose evidence wisely. You will also gain a more adequate attitude towards other opinions.

Read a Lot

Read anything you like, but pay some attention to the material on your specialty as well. Reading shows us different writing styles, vocabulary, accentuation, flow, etc. Not to mention it’s a great activity for a cozy homestay weekend.

Reading also improves your creativity, which is crucial for good writing. Combine creative and critical thinking, and you’ll get an essay everyone will recognize.

If you read articles and studies on your specialty, you will also enrich your knowledge. You’ll always be updated with the newest findings, theories, and events in your field of interest.

Never Stop Growing

Growth is an irreplaceable part of life. Physical growth, psychological development, skills and career improvement. As you grow, you become a better, wiser person, and an excellent professional.

Not that you shouldn’t allow yourself a break from everything, just make sure you get back on track right after. Consistent improvement will open new opportunities for you.