How to write a final paper

The final paper is the flagship exercise of mostly the humanities. It is a kind of test of understanding of the course, which will also assess your capacity of reflection, your ability to argue and your general culture. It is, above all, a very codified exercise, the rules of which must be respected if you want to succeed. Here are some tips on how to write a final paper.

1) When you write a final paper: stay on your lane

When you write a final paper, going off-topic is prohibitive. There is no need to spend hours on it. The simple fact of dwelling on it and asking yourself the famous question “what’s the problem” is more than enough.  Collect all the information necessary to treat the problem.

2) Analyze your subject

Every final paper topic, regardless of the subject, conceals a problem. To solve this problem, you must ask yourself the following question: “What is it about? If the teachers have chosen to give you this topic, it is for a good reason, not by picking random words from the dictionary. What is that reason? By asking yourself this question, you are going to make a first draft of the issue on which your whole final paper will be based.

3) When you write a final paper: do a lot of research

Learn about the topic you are writing about. Based on what you have learned, try to set your own ideas on the issue. Take notes on the points that spark your interest. You may even want to expand on some of the things that captivate you. Then, arrange your notes so that they form a killer final paper.

4) Use examples

When you write a final paper, think about finding examples and illustrations for each idea: a good argument always requires some examples. A subject generally requires at least two or three references to authors or trends. But be careful not to quote for the sake of quoting. Also beware of cases taken from everyday life which can turn into a “commonplace”.

5) Finish strong

The conclusion is the last impression you will leave the examiner. Don’t go back to examples, you must summarize your thought process in broad strokes, showing that you have answered your problem.

Finally, when you write a final paper, you have to be open to new ideas, but always remember to defend yours. After all, your idea is what’s most valuable and original.