No matter your major, success as an undergraduate relies on mastering the college paper.
Unfortunately, those five-paragraph essays you wrote in high school may have left you ill-prepared for the demands of college writing. No worries — it's not too late to master this essential skill. These tips can help you ace
Develop an Outline
Enter each writing session with a clear plan. An outline will be your best friend during this process. Feel free to use an online template or develop your own with subheads and bullet points. Refer back to your outline regularly to check your progress and minimize redundancy.
Stick with a Third-Person Perspective
Your writing should look and sound as professional as possible — and nothing sounds less professional than the constant use of “I think” or “I believe.” There are exceptions, of course. Your professor may explicitly ask for you to infuse your perspective into your paper. When in doubt, however, it's best to approach college papers from a third-person perspective.
Use — But Don't Rely On — Writing Apps and Extensions
As a modern college student, you enjoy access to a number of tools that previous generations lacked. A variety of apps and extensions can aid in the writing and editing process. Grammarly is an absolute essential; it helps you catch not only spelling errors, but also issues with punctuation and other common writing mistakes. The Ginger extension can also assist with spelling and grammar. Other popular options include MindMeister, WordQ, Mercury Reader and SpeakIt. While these apps and extensions can prove incredibly helpful, they alone will not create a stellar paper. You'll still need to edit your paper several times.
Take Extra Steps to Avoid Plagiarism
Many college students do not take the prospect of plagiarism seriously enough — until it's too late.
Consequences for plagiarism can vary significantly based on the college, the professor, and the extent of the problem. But few students get away with it for long.
The trap of plagiarism is easiest to fall into when you procrastinate. The earlier you brainstorm ideas and gather sources to cite properly, the better. Plagiarism might also arise as you navigate the fine line between common knowledge and citable information. In most cases, however, information specific enough to support your paper's thesis is not common knowledge. When in doubt, cite any sources used to develop or support your paper's core ideas.
Remember the Purpose of Your Paper
No matter how long your paper, the primary focus should always be evident. With long papers, in particular, it's easy to get lost in the fray. A meandering paper is not an effective paper. This is why your outline is so critical; it helps you stay on track.
Once you've completed your paper, make liberal use of the delete button. You may be forced to cut out whole paragraphs or sections. Don't despair; this is exactly what you should expect from the editing process.
Take Advantage of Your College's Writing Center
Most colleges provide ample resources to help students who struggle with writing papers. At Geneva, for example, The Writing Center provides easy access to tutors. A visit to The Writing Center could involve brainstorming, developing outlines, formatting or final editing before submission. No matter how much progress you've made or what topic you need to cover, you can benefit from the insight of writing tutors.
Your college writing center is just one of several resources you can turn to for assistance. Your professor may be willing to discuss ideas or direct you towards valuable resources. Your classmates can also provide feedback; consider developing a paper editing exchange in which you and a partner
College papers aren't as terrifying as you think. As with anything in college (and in life), practice makes perfect. Develop a compelling idea, support it with cited research and don't be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. Your hard work will ultimately pay off, both in college and your eventual career.
If you’d like to learn more about professions that enable you to serve wholeheartedly and faithfully in your life’s work or want to learn more about a biblically based, Christ-centered education at Geneva, we’d love to chat with you. For more information on how Geneva College can help you pursue your education goals, please phone us at 855-979-5563 or email web@geneva.edu.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Oct 2, 2018
Read about the origins of Black History Month, some people in history you may not have heard before, and why Black history should be celebrated year-round.
Read to learn more about the history and celebration of the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth.
After ministering in local churches for nearly 20 years, Geneva College alumnus Kent Chevalier '99 accepted a unique ministry position as the chaplain for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers through the Athletes in Action organization. Chevalier and wife Erica support the players and their families during the season and raise their own support in the off season.
Though the path is uncertain, He knows the way, He created the path, and He already knows your destination. In the meantime, trust this season of graduation and rest in Him. Rest in His arms as you wait for the journey to begin.
When you’re starting college, you might not know what you want to focus on yet. That is completely normal and much more common than you might think. So, yes, you can start college as an undeclared major and many schools encourage this time of exploration. Geneva College even has a dedicated program for students with undeclared majors to help them identify God’s calling in their lives and careers.
One of the greatest ways to prepare for the job market after graduation is to participate in an internship program. If you’re new to the internship process, you probably have lots of questions.
Arcade video games. Go-Karts. Trampolines. Ice cream. History. Need a place to get away from the books and papers for an afternoon of fun? Here's part 2 of your guide to the numerous places to visit in the Beaver Falls area.
As I walked the Via Dolorosa (The Way of Suffering), I was walking the very path of Christ from Palm Sunday to the crucifixion. As I stood in the remains of Jericho, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness in delivering the city into the hands of the Israelites. As I scooped water from the Jordan River, I was reminded that Christ is the living water. It was indeed the trip of a lifetime and my faith will forever be changed because of it.
How should leaders deal with difficult situations in difficult times? Geneva College’s John Gallo and Jenna Bieber provide a guidebook for leaders. "Lessons from Cain and Abel to Guide Leaders Through Turbulent Times" walks readers through the account of Cain and Abel to teach leaders the importance of justice, mercy, harmony and equality.
Each February, the U.S. recognizes the importance of African Americans throughout our country’s history with Black History Month. This month provides us with a time to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of African American heroes and learn more about their impact on our nation. As part of this month-long celebration, find out more about some of the most important historical figures who have played an important role in U.S. history.
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
