As you plan your work schedule, set deadlines for completing the
general steps of your paper-writing process. For example:
Week 1: Decide on the topic and “angle” of your paper;
make a list of reference materials.
Weeks 2–4: Read reference materials; take notes.
Week 5: Do detailed outline; write first draft.
Weeks 6–7: Edit paper; prepare bibliography.
Week 8: Proofread paper; print final copy.Of course, I can’t tell you exactly how much time to set aside for each
step, because I don’t know any of the specifics about your paper—
how long it’s supposed to be, how complex the topic—or how fast
you work. I cantell you that you should plan on consulting and/or
taking notes from at least six different sources. (Your teacher or
subject may demand more; I doubt you’ll need fewer.) And plan on
writing two or three drafts of your paper before you consider it
final.
Refer to your work schedule often, and adjust your pace if you find
yourself lagging.
The more time you have to complete a project, the easier it is to
procrastinate about dealing with it, even to putting off identifying
the steps and working them into your regular schedule. If you find
yourself leaving such long-term projects to the last week, schedule
the projects furthest away—the term paper due in three months, the
oral exam 10 weeks from now—first. Then, trick yourself—schedule
the completion date at least seven days prior to the actual due date,
giving yourself a one-week cushion for life’s inevitable surprises.
(Just try to forget you’ve used this trick. Otherwise, you’ll be like the
perennial latecomer who sets his watch 15 minutes fast in an effort
to finally get somewhere on time. Except that he always reminds
himself to add 15 minutes to the time on his wrist, defeating the
whole purpose.)
Chapter 7 ■How to Write Terrific Papers 139