What is the best way to write a long research paper?

I am writing a 10 page paper for my Anthropology course and I am having trouble keeping everything organized. I have tons of notes and sources but am having problems organizing it before I start the actual writing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to keep my notes organized and make the process go easier since I already did the hard part of the research.

What is the best way to write a long research paper?
Approach this paper like building a house. Write down four or five solid topics. Those are your corner beams. Write down three subtopics under each one. The rest is just plugging in research points (drywall).





By the time you do this, you just need to write your way through this information, smoothing everything out (plaster and spackling). Then proofread (paint).





Most people call this an "outline" but I like to think of it as a blueprint... get the picture? Most of the students I tutored recieved A's whenever they conscientiously applied this technique, and they were amazed at how easy it is to finish the paper once these steps are taken. I am always amazed at how bad papers can be when written without a clear structure from the beginning- imagine building a house this way- it would look like a friggin BEAVER DAM!
Reply:Start with an idea of where you're going with it and what topics you will discuss. You should be able to start with an introduction that gives an indication of your stance and some background information without needing to rely much on your notes yet.





From there, you might do a sort of outline within the paper, but it doesn't need to be formal or very detailed--just a list of important subsections in an order that makes sense to you. If you end up with, for example, 5 subsections, then you can go through and write them as if they were 5 2-page papers. When I'm writing, I often skip some sections, leaving outline-like headings in red for where I'll go back later and write that section once I've looked up more information about it. At the end, you will want to check the whole thing to make sure the order still works best, move some things around, tweak transitions, perhaps rewrite parts of the intro if you've taken a direction you didn't expect.
Reply:Keep in mind, you will not use all your notes. You should make a list of the most important topics. Then, highlight your notes and put them into different categories (based upon your topic choices). 10 pages is not the bad... I like to start typing single spaced... then when I am close to being done, I change it to double space and I get all excited because like, 6 pages turns to 13. It will go by fast. I suggest you start it early (like a week early) and get out most of what you can. Then, 3 days before it is due, revisit it and make corrections and add the last of your data. Also, make sure you cite everything that you use. I do not know about your school, but mine is really cracking down.
Reply:Do you know how to make an outline? Outlines can really organize your info and you can follow them to write the paper.
Reply:I just finished a 9-10 page for my physical anthropology course.





By all means start with your outline, this will be the map which will give you direction and organization.





Good luck.
Reply:Scan and number it. Copy to ROM.
Reply:Please help! I'm stuck at 88 pages and need 125
Reply:Make chapters and label them, Maybe buy folders or files for each chapter. It worked for me.