How to Write a Good Last Minute Paper

Almost every student has had a moment of panic when they realize they have a long paper due in a few hours and they haven't even started. There is nothing that can replace the long (and sometimes grueling) hours of hard work that go into really amazing papers, but sometimes you just need to fake it. If, for whatever reason, you simply do not have the time to write an amazing paper, do not despair. I have some tips to help you get your paper done and make sure that you don't ruin your GPA.

Your first step, if you have time, is to ask your teacher or professor for an extension. It is important to do this politely, and not to overuse the privilege. If you have a legitimate reason for an extension, either approach your professor after class or write them a nice, short email. Explain the reason you need an extension, but do not go into excruciating detail. So instead of telling them that you've been vomiting all week and your sister's dog died, just say that you have been having family and medical issues. If you haven't abused extensions before and you don't wait to ask until an hour before your paper is due, you will likely get your extension and can use the extra time to write a real quality paper.

If you do not get an extension, the first thing to realize is that done is always better than good. If you do not hand in a paper, you will get a zero. If you hand a paper in, no matter how bad it is, it will likely be significantly higher than a zero.

The next thing to focus on is your page count. Does your paper have to be five pages or ten? If your paper is going to be double-spaced, start out writing it single-spaced so that you will be motivated to write more. Use lots of adjectives and descriptions. If you can, include lots of relevant quotations, which will instantly bulk up your paper. As a last ditch trick, make the periods in your paper one font size larger than the rest of your writing. It will increase the spacing slightly, but not noticeably and will make your paper a little bit longer. Of course, if you need to email your paper to your professor, they may wonder about your weird font choices.

When it comes to content, a simple but well supported idea is better than a complicated and poorly supported one. Even if your thesis is not brilliant, you probably won't get a terrible grade if your arguments are solid and backed up with lots of evidence. If you need sources but don't have time to go to the library, the internet will be your best friend. Don't quote wikipedia, but look for reputable websites. Anything ending in ".edu" is a good start. Government agency websites and reputable news sources should be staple sources as well. You might even be able to find a book you need online through Google Books.

Finally, run spell check and read through your paper for any glaring errors. Edit it until you are satisfied or run out of time. Do your best to hand your paper in by the deadline so that you will at least have it in on time. Once you hand it in, at least you are done with it. Instead of spending time beating yourself up about the fact that it wasn't perfect, try to get to work on your next assignment so that you can hand in a paper that makes you really proud.