written college paper

There are several important steps to a well written college paper. This includes properly formatting the paper prior to typing, choosing a focused essay topic, writing clear paragraphs, and editing the work before submitting. It is required you use Microsoft Word to create your documents because you will need to save it as a .doc or .docx file type. Prior to beginning your reflection, it is important to format the document you are using. At Ashford, we use APA formatting guidelines. First, set your font type to Times New Roman, 12-point size. Then, set your paper so it is double spaced. Double spaced settings put a full line of blank space between each row of words. This will make the essay easier to read and conforms to proper spacing guidelines that will be required for future college papers.

The text of this model essay is written using these settings to provide you with an example of what this looks like. Next, type your name and title of the essay in the top left corner and skip a line before starting your first paragraph. Finally, be sure the first line of each paragraph is indented a half of an inch. Typically, you can click the “tab” button on your keyboard to create the indent. The first line of each paragraph in this model essay has been indented. Keep in mind that you should not skip lines between paragraphs. As you transition to the next paragraph, simply press “enter” or “return” on your keyboard, indent by pressing “tab”, and then start typing your next paragraph.

Now that your paper is properly formatted, it is important to understand the key elements when crafting your essay. These elements include understanding the topic of your essay, writing in paragraph format, and editing your essay. For your assignment in EXP 105 the topic of the essay is chosen for you. Take another look at the instructions. You should notice that the prompt is broken down into four paragraphs with specific questions you will be addressing in each paragraph. This is intended to keep each of your paragraphs well focused. As you continue with future college courses, the prompt likely will not be broken down in this manner for you.

A well written paragraph includes a clear topic sentence which signals to the reader what that paragraph will be about. As you reflect on the prompt for each paragraph, identify the main point or points that you will be addressing. This will be the focal point of your paragraph and should guide you as you craft a topic sentence. The topic sentence should be general enough to express the paragraph’s overall subject, but also specific enough that the reader can understand the paragraph’s main subject and point. Having a clear topic sentence and supporting your ideas by addressing the questions provided within each individual section of the prompt ensures that there is no need to paste the actual prompt instructions in your essay. Your reader should be able to know what the assignment instructions were without having to read them. You can read more information on how to write a well written paragraph in the Ashford Writing Center .

The final step to a well written essay is the revision process where you’ll edit and proofread your work. It is not uncommon that new college students are excited to submit their work immediately after they are done writing. The sense of relief at completing the work might be irresistible, but taking time to proofread the essay makes a big impact on the final product. Some of the most common errors that result in a reduction of points are: spelling errors, incomplete thoughts or ideas, insufficient explanation, incorrect use of capitalization or punctuation, and disorganized flow of the essay. Grammarly can be helpful to check for some of this. Make sure that you didn’t go off topic and double check that all your supporting details connect back to the main idea of the paragraph. The information in this article from Writing Center at the University of North Carolina provides student success tips and considerations to support the editing and proofreading process. Taking the time to carefully revise your work can help you in the long run.

Familiarizing oneself with how to write an essay for college is an important step in a successful transition to college. As you continue to practice writing, developing essays and written assignments will become a less difficult and more rewarding task. The Ashford University Writing Center has many resources designed to help you with your college writing, including but not limited to, live chat tutors and paper review. There is evidence that students who use these services are more successful on their assignments than students who do not use them. They can be accessed through the writing center link above or by clicking on the “Writing Center & Library” tab in the left-hand navigation menu of your classroom. If you have any questions or need clarification on the assignment expectations, reach out to your instructor before the assignment is due. There are many resources at Ashford University that have been designed and are readily available to support your academic success. You are encouraged to take advantage of these resources.