How to Write an Undergraduate-Level Essay

If you're new to academic writing, the prospect of starting to research and write an academic essay can be intimidating. Before you start working on a specific paper, please view the resources linked below to receive an introduction to academic research and writing at RRU:

• Introduction to Library services (Video)
  • Ask a question to the Library (LibAnswers)
• Writing Centre services; watch the short videos below to learn more about each service:
  • What is the Writing Centre? (3 mins)
  • Discussing questions about an individual work in progress (30-minute appointment) (5 mins)
  • Discussing feedback on a graded, individual essay (60-minute appointment) (4 mins)
  • Book an appointment (3 mins)
  • Ask us a question through WriteAnswers (3 mins)
• Four Feathers Writing Guide
• Introduction to Academic Writing (video via Academic Writing)
• Writing an Academic Paragraph (video via Paragraphs)
• Introduction to APA Style (6th ed.) or Introduction to APA Style (7th ed.) (videos via APA Style)

Now that you're ready to begin the process of writing a specific essay, this guide will take you step-by-step through the process of researching and writing a paper with resources, tips, and suggestions from both the Library and the Writing Centre. You can work through each step by using the "next" navigation on each page, or you can use the list below to jump into a particular topic. To begin, click on the first link below.

1. Understand the assignment
2. Create a preliminary plan for the document
3. Research the topic
   1. Become familiar with information sources
   2. Select the appropriate search tool
   3. Develop effective searches
   4. Beyond keyword searching
   5. Evaluate your resources
   6. Read and absorb the information you find
   7. Use a citation manager to organize your research
   8. Find statistics
4. Draft your thesis statement
5. Double-check your research
6. Create the final version of your document plan
7. Start writing the first draft
8. Overcoming writer's block
9. Revise the draft 
10. Edit the draft 
11. Prepare the final version 
12. Submit the assignment