? Graduate writing is dictated by discipline-specific writing manuals and styles. Learn your specific style as quickly as possible.
? Read the scholarly writing in your intended field.
? Ask professors for good examples of the type of writing you’ll be expected to produce, so you know what to emulate.
? Make sure you understand the assignment and audience. Who are you writing for? What is this paper asking?
? Make a timeline and stick to it. Allow time to meet with professors/writing coach to revise drafts. If unsure, ask them to help you prepare a realistic timeline.
? Don’t wait to approach a tutor when you have a near-completed project. You can begin from a brainstorming session.
? Identify a thesis and scope statement for every paper that you write.
? More is not always better with graduate papers. Being concise is an important skill for graduate-level writing.
? Continually sharpen your grammatical skills; check into writing guides and/or a writing center at your university.
? Read your paper aloud to someone (or yourself). This tends to make mistakes/unclear passages stand out.
? Recognize that improving your writing may require more than a one-time visit to the writing center. Be prepared to develop a relationship with a tutor. That’s what they’re there for.
