Being a graduate student is difficult, and expectations are higher. Don’t disappoint your advisors—follow these four easy hints to improve your writing level:

1. Read high level works. What you read shapes how you write. Read the work of fellow graduate students. Read scholarly articles and books. Even read classical fiction that is challenging for you. By seeing how other scholars and writers build their sentences, present their arguments, and choose their words, you can imitate styles you enjoy and avoid styles you find difficult to understand.
2. Write like you speak. Many advanced students feel the urge to write in grandiose and overly intellectualized styles. The result is a paper with a poorly presented argument and poor word choice. Instead, write your paper just how you would explain it to a friend. Make simple arguments. Use simple language. Be clear and concise. Later, when editing, you can use a thesaurus to add more vocabulary or introduce new jargon. But start with that foundation of a clear, solid argument, and your reader will understand your work and ultimately agree with your scholarship. A smart writer makes his audience smarter, and doesn’t try to overwhelm them with his intellect.
3. Use more sources. Whatever the minimum number of required sources is, ignore that. Read more. Cite more. Quote more. Paraphrase more. Being well read is the secret to writing a top-level paper. Show your audience that you are knowledgeable by showing that you have read all the major authors and scholars on this particular subject. Don’t be afraid to have a long bibliography—it shows you have worked hard and know your subject.
4. Know the arguments against you before your audience does. When presenting an argument, know the counter-arguments. Think how a reader might dispute your claims. Look for flaws in your argument. Be prepared. Mention why the counter-argument would be wrong, and why you are correct. If a major scholar presents a different argument, then present their argument in your paper, and show its weaknesses. Admitting that there are other ideas besides your own is not a weakness; rather, it shows you are knowledgeable and that you have already taken these ideas into account. You will sound more professional as you refute these ideas rather than just leaving your audience to wonder.

Here are some suggestions that can improve your writing and make it an outstanding and remarkable paper that will be approved by your Professor.

First of all, before even getting to work you should think about 2 things, “what does the professor want me to write,” and the purpose of writing. Your being close to the A grade of your paper depends crucially on the way you describe your objectives. Every Professor has his/her own issues, so it is very important for you to notice them and make summaries, in order to fulfill all the requirements 100%.

Try to concentrate on the purpose of the paper and let the purpose be the leading string in your paper, in order for you or the reader not to get confused of what is your point.

Every paper must have at least 1 main point and 3-4 supportive points. This is done for your paper to be logically completed and finished. Try to open all problems concerning your topic, and do not skip any.

The best paper is the paper, which is done FOR the audience. Always remember what kind of people will be reading your paper and what particular features do they have, and write your paper according to those features.

Do not be lazy or shy to express your point of view. Every thought deserves to be heard and considered, even if it strongly contradicts to the opinions of surrounding people. You always have to remember that this is your point of view, and you can be made to change your mind, but your opinions cannot be just crossed out at all.

Always make sure that what you have written is the same as what you thought. After finishing writing the paper try to relax for about 15 minutes and then reread it in whole one more time. Or just give it to someone else for proofreading and attentively consider his\her opinion.

Please try to keep your ideas clear and focused. Make it understandable for everyone, and use terminology only where it is needed. Try to make your work sophisticated but try not to sound too smart, no one likes too smart papers because the implication of your paper will be “I am smarter then you” – and that can not be praised.

You have to finish the paper writing process only when you are completely, 100% satisfied with your work. If you won’t be satisfied with your writing, no one will be pleased with the reading.

Good luck!