Steps in writing a paper or thesis

For anything you write - report, paper, thesis, we essetially are trying to answer questions which come to ones mind in natural progression. Each para, section, chapter has a purpose and must be an answer to a question. All the questions must emanate from fundamental question which has been the driving force behind the writing.

When writing a technical document, it is important to list the questions which are you answering. Put them in natural progression order. This allows one to write effectively. The questions can be grouped together chapter, section, para wise.

One can break writing into four steps. First - make an outline consisting of chapters, section and subsection titles, write the questions grouped under them for clarity. Try to arrange them in a sequence in which a reader can effectively appreciate your writeup.

Second step - take one section at a time; whatever comes to your head which you want to write, put it in the doc. You need not write explicitly the question being answered, but it should become evident to reader.

Step three - Organise the sentences in sequence keeping effective appreciation by reader in mind. You may have to move sentences around. You will find repetitions coming together. These need to be edited leading to removal of repetition.

During organisation, you will find that somethings are missing. Add the required text.

Fourth step - Take care of singular, plural form of verbs, 'a', 'an" and 'the' and punctuation problems.

Repeat second to fourth steps to improve your manuscript for clarity.