Learning how to write an academic paper is an essential skill that can help you in school and in your career. Although it may seem as a daunting task at first, these tips can help ease the process and get you more familiarized with the various steps needed to write a strong academic paper.

1. Select a topic

• An important part of writing the paper itself is choosing a topic (if one is not already assigned to you). Follow the instructions that are provided to you by your professor and if you are confused or uncertain, consult with your professor.

2. Create deadlines

• Start early!! This gives you the opportunity to ask the professor any questions you may have and may the proper edits before time runs out.
• Create smaller deadlines that help you stay on track.

3. Research

1. Use peer-reviewed and academic journals to conduct research for your topic. Journal articles are available through the George Brown College library. It is important not to use sources such as Wikipedia as they are unreliable and can provide you with incorrect information. You can also use Ulrichs to check if your paper is peer-reviewed. 
2. Consider the journals impact factor

• Please click on this link to learn more about the impact factor: https://researchguides.uic.edu/if/impact
  

3. Read multiple articles on the topic This will help to gather different viewpoints and to gain more knowledge about the topic itself. It will help you provide a solid argument and evidence for the topic of your paper. 

4. Create an outline and first draft

• This will help you organize and lay out your thoughts and ideas. Writing a first draft will give you a sense of what direction you would like to take with the paper.

5. Revision

• Once completed, read your paper over a few times to ensure there are not any grammatical or spelling mistakes. 
• Read it aloud to detect any errors in structure or reasoning. 
• Have a peer read and comment on your paper.
• Make sure that everything in your paper relates back to your argument.

6. Citations

• Ensure that citations are done in the proper format asked by your professor. 
• OWL Purdue is a great tool to help with knowing when to cite and how to cite.
• https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html
• Ask your professor for any clarification you may need

7. Do not plagiarize!

• Extremely important. Please make sure everything you are presenting in the paper is your own work and your own words. If you are quoting something or taking an idea from another person’s work. Please remember to cite it.
• Read GBC’s Academic Integrity guidelines for more detail:
• https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/policies/academic-integrity-policy.pdf