1. MLA Handbook.  The MLA style of writing is often recommended for school papers. In fact, some professors might even require it.
2. Elements of Style.  A must-have manual for anyone doing any serious writing, it covers a wide gamut of style advice for composition.
3. Grammar software.  Not only can you use grammar programs to perform automated proofreading and spellchecking, they also have a built-in dictionary, thesaurus and other additional writing resources.
4. Wikipedia.  Forget atlases and almanacs.  For general and entry-level information on any subject whatsoever, Wikipedia is all the introductory resource you need.   You’ll have to verify any fact you take off Wikipedia for inclusion in your papers, of course, but it remains a valuable resource easily accessible from any device with a web browser.
5. Word Finder.  This book is, sadly, out of print, but remains the single best resource I’ve ever seen for finding the exact words and phrases you need to express an idea.  Not only does it suggest synonyms to a noun, for instance, but it recommends verbs and modifiers to use with it, too.    We suggest scoring a used copy (there are several on Amazon), borrowing a copy from the library, or (if you’re not averse to it) getting an electronic copy from one of the less-reputable online sources.

In some ways, this structure offers a simpler approach to book reviews.  It breaks up the writing quite well, apart from allowing you to express your ideas in a straightforward manner.

For the first paragraph, answer the “who” question.  Talk about the main character in the text, describing how the character first appeared and the changes that happened to them throughout the course of the story.   Explain their significance.

For the second paragraph, answer the “what” question.   Describe the main theme of the book, detailing how it is explored and developed throughout the various chapters.

For the third paragraph, answer the “where” question.   Talk about the setting where the story takes place, describing how it contributes to the book and how it relates to the main character and overall theme.

For the fourth paragraph, answer the “when” question.   Describe the time period that the story takes place in.  As with the location,  describe how it contributes to the book and how it relates to the main character and overall theme.

For the last paragraph, answer the “why” question. As a conclusion, discuss the reasons why you believe the author wrote this book.  Take a gander at the points it tries to make and the reasons why everything was arranged in the manner that it was.

The most prominent characteristic of the Rogerian arrangement is its presentation, which details the two sides of an issue impartially.  This is in direct contrast to winning through arguments, which seeks to bolster one side in favor of the other.  Here, you don’t write to convince readers of your position; rather, you explore each argument to come up with a potential compromise.

The Rogerian method arranges a problem solving essay into five different parts:

1. Introduction.  Here, you explain the problem, making sure the reader understands it and convincing them it is a real issue.
2. Opposing arguments.  Present an objective and unbiased view of the opposing argument, without refuting or attacking your own argument.
3. Your own arguments.   Here, you illustrate your position in an objective manner.  Similar to the above, avoid attacking the opposing views harshly.
4. Areas of agreement.  Look for areas of each argument where both sides agree, expanding it with an exploration of the point.
5. Resolution.  Come up with a conclusion that resolves those areas where both sides disagree, recommending a compromise that takes both arguments into account.

As always we encourage you to fix up your essays with a grammar assistant program.  No drafts ever come perfect and a program like that can help you sort out any mistakes you end up committing to paper.

When writing formal essays, you need to foster the proper tone.  Oftentimes, this comes down to knowing what to avoid, as much as knowing what to do (suggestion: use a formal grammar software).  If you’re trying to convey a serious and refined tone, here are a couple of things you will need to avoid:

1. Being excessively chatty.  Being a formal essay, you want to avoid a conversational tone.  While using occasional elements of conversational language is fine (if it helps clarity), you can’t allow your paper to sound like an article right out of Maxim.
2. Being excessively technical.  It’s always best to allow some room for your readers to breathe when it comes to using technical and specialized language.   Even if there’s a good chance most of them will understand our difficult discourses, always take the initiative to explain some of the more complicated stuff as a preventive measure.
3. Being stuffy, pedantic or arrogant.  Many inexperienced writers tend to sound this way when composing formal essays.    Tone is a matter of attitude and your readers’ reactions will depend, in part, on that attitude.  You can sound refined and knowledgeable without being a know-it-all and that’s what you should aim for.

1. Adopt a tone that puts the focus on the topic, rather than the researcher.  Any time you draw attention to the author or researcher, you’re making it difficult to sound objective, as the focus gets placed on the personality behind the piece.
2. Use the active voice, but be wary of certain pitfalls.  The passive voice is ideal for objective discourse, as it puts the doer of the action in an unimportant light.  However, it also paves the way for confusing writing.  Even with objective papers, an active voice is preferred, provided you avoid  using “I” or “we,” whenever possible.  If you absolutely must, make sure you don’t use those self-referential pronouns at the start of a sentence, when you’re making a conjecture and in such a way that the “we” includes the reader (it’s condescending).
3. Acknowledge the limitations of your paper.  One way to promote objectivity is to acknowledge the limitations of your research and arguments.  You can never have all the answers, after all, so citing this fact tends to make your writing appear more grounded in fact.

Your Position. Every time you come up with a thesis, you take a position on an issue.  Not only do you make a decision on which side of the fence you’re on, you also define a variety of things, including the particular perspective you’ll take, the disciplines you’ll use to analyze the topic and how you will go about making your case.

In order to write your paper, though, you’ll need to justify these decisions analytically.  Why did you choose this particular stance?  Why would you use this particular perspective, instead of other available alternatives?  Why would you focus on these references, as opposed to those from other authors?  Can you make your case without bias or do you need to involve passion when working to prove your points?

Your Audience. Consider your readers carefully, whether they be your professors or a specific audience as outlined in the assignment.  Think about their stance towards the topic, their knowledge about it and how they’ll react to your assertions.  Knowing this will help you better reach your audience, as you can anticipate their objections and address them.

First Step: Identify Key Points

We’re talking about the topic, the main thesis, the main points that make up the argument and the author’s primary thrust.  Do note that you need not include all points.  Since summary reports will generally have limited word counts, you may want to focus strictly on the most significant ones to keep within the requirements.

Second Step:  Study the Conclusion

What happens in the conclusion?  Do you get a review of the paper?  Do you get a conclusion that ties all loose ends together?   The conclusion is important since it’s  what the paper builds up to.  Information in there usually consists of the points and understanding the author wants to highlight – material that should end up in your summary.

Third Step: Write the Draft

After you have the key parts outlined and the conclusion reviewed, you should now proceed to writing the draft.   Try to stay away from the original work when drafting, so as to resist the temptation of lifting passages directly from it.  Write it down in your own words first – you can review with the original paper later.

As with all writing, you should use a grammar proofreading software later on.   Mechanics do play a big part in overall grades and a program like that can help immensely.

When you first get a topic to write about, ask the right questions to help you put it in proper context:

1. What is the history behind this topic?
2. What has been written about this topic that is relevant to your discussion?
3. What are the prevailing views about it on both sides – both for and against?
4. How do you respond to arguments opposing it?

These, along other similar questions, will help move your thinking into the ongoing developments on the subject, allowing you to work on your topic with the proper context in mind.  Only after then does it really make good sense to begin organizing the ideas you want to express, as you can be certain you’re doing it from the right frame.

Like all works of writing, ideas aren’t enough.  You have to write them clearly and effectively with the help of a good grammar software if you want to make the most impact with your arguments.

Avoid long introductions. Inappropriately long introductions is the fastest way to make a reader lose interest.  While context is important, it should be handled briefly.  Steer clear of too much introductions and you’ll be on your way.

Keep it brief, relative to your essay. A 500-word essay will likely work best with a much shorter introduction than what a 10,000-word paper will require.     The shorter your paper, the less points you have to prepare the reader for – as such, the less verbose your  introduction needs to be.

Things To Avoid

1. Unnecessary background information.  Stick only to context that directly affects your topic.  Also, don’t bother including information that will be common knowledge to your audience – if they’re already familiar with it, it’s unnecessary.
2. Self-referencing.  It’s amateurish and states things that are a matter of fact.  Avoid it.
3. Confusing discussion.  The goal of an introduction is to effectively lay the groundwork for the paper, tell the reader what to expect and deliver your main thesis.  Anything more than that might end up muddling your main points, so stick to the core information.
4. Poor grammar.  The smoother the flow of your introduction, the quicker the reader can get into your work.  Poor grammar and other erroneous writing mechanics will stifle that.  Make sure you use a modern grammar software to help iron out any kinks.

Most courses in this field fall under one of four areas of emphasis.  These are:

1. Interpersonal and organizational communication.  This concerns issues  and dynamics that occur in different group settings, including one-on-one, small groups and large groups.
2. Rhetoric.  Often, this examines persuasive and argumentative communication, as done in political and social settings.
3. Performance studies.  As the name implies, this focuses on he relationships between different types of performance art and everyday life.
4. Media/film studies.   Here, you explore practical techniques and strategies in media (such as TV and film), as well as its influence in culture.

Most communication studies papers work in much the same way as a lot of academic writing.  That is, you study material, evaluate  other authors’ treatment of the material and form an original argument about it.  The big difference is, in this field, your focus tends to be fixed on a communication phenomenon, with your paper staging an attempt to better understand it.

Of course, papers in these courses will need to receive the same type of care in editing and proofreading as you do with your other subjects.  At the least, make sure to use a grammar checking software to guarantee that your ideas come through clearly.