You turn your paper in for the first draft, you think about how hard you worked on it and about that A you plan on getting. Then you get back a 48%…
Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but it is crushing none the less. So following are some tips on how to improve your grade for next time:
- Reread the assignment sheet
- Make sure you completely answered every question
- Test your thesis
- Make sure all of your paragraphs and arguments revolve around your thesis
- Review your research and analysis
- Do your research sentences seem balanced with the introduction and interpretation sentences? Are all quotes somehow related back to the thesis?
- Consider relevance for your audience
- Ask yourself, “so what?” after every research piece and paragraph, make sure these are all answered at some point in the paper
- Test your organization
- Every sentence should somehow relate to that paragraph’s topic
- Read it out loud
- It may feel stupid, but it will make mistakes jump right off the page
Is It Really My Life? 