A college-level research paper must be more than the product of good research and intelligent interpretation. Also, while the prose you use to communicate this research and interpretation must be without spelling, grammatical, or syntactical errors, good writing is more that that. It is concise, follows sound principles of paragraphing, is organized logically, and displays an appropriate choice of words. Good writing style communicates facts and ideas clearly and interestingly. This Guide seeks to help a student organize facts and ideas effectively, avoid common grammatical and other usage errors, to follow accepted standards of style for writing a college-level research paper, to know and use sound principles regarding the use of quotations from sources, and to know the importance of revising a paper prior to its submittal.
Good writing is difficult work, although it becomes easier with practice.
It is worth the effort, for a person spends much of life communicating facts, ideas, and feelings to others. Good writing contributes to clear thinking and effective communication, oral as well as written.