1. Make a checklist of the requirements

Don’t let your paper get rejected because you failed to follow the instructions. Many writers realize when it’s already too late that they skipped a crucial step and struggle to fix it at the eleventh hour. Double-check the requirements at the beginning of your editing process. After getting the requirements, now make a checklist like this one;

• Topic
• Number of sources
• Data/sources/framework to include.
• Page and word count
• Format
• Writing style
• Other requirements

Scan the draft you have and see if you have covered all the requirements that you need.

2. Reverse Outline

It entails a way to edit your work to ensure that the text has a natural flow between blocks and that they are in support of the main point. It will help you take notes on difficult papers. You can achieve RO through writing by hand in the left margin of the article or creating an outline in the computer in the word processor that you use. Here is an example;

• Input your thesis at the beginning of the outline. Bold it and give it a large font.
• Count the number of paragraphs in the draft and number lines for every section. Write a summary of the paragraph in the pipes.
• Summarize your main points in ten words.
• Take note of the trouble spots.

3. Editing content

You will need your RO from the second step and the list from the first step and the requirement list. Do not accidentally edit out an element that is important and needed. For content editing;

• Save a second copy: launch your first draft and save it as a copy for later edits. Keep the original one if you delete something by mistake or want to refer back to something.
• Develop a game plan: check your to-do list and the marks you made on your RO and decide to handle the steps that seem essential to you. You can start with the easy ones.
• Edit the paper for content: follow through with the plan you have and edit the content while remembering the thesis statement.
• Make updates on your RO: while editing a paragraph, update the changes you make. Let the changes you make reflect in your RO.
• Double-check the requirements: after editing, check again on your needs and make other checkmarks while doing so.

4. Editing the format

You now have to make the paper have its best look and get it ready for submission. The format includes margins, citation style, font style, and face and captions for tables and figures.

• Check the requirement. Look for the formatting requirements from the checklist in step one.
• Locate your style guide. You can use the APA, Chicago, or the MLA. You can find many others for journals and publications.
• Edit a step at a time. It is not advisable to edit and format everything at once. Some formats are simple, and you can do the following;

5. Proofreading

It is the final step in editing. Leave this step for last as it will help you make crucial changes in the previous few sections. You can correct the few typos and errors that you can locate in other areas, but you will need to do final proofreading before calling it done. You can have a colleague help you out in reading out loud. You can locate other mistakes you did not see as you did it yourself. The second reader can also tell you how the text sounds or where to make your changes if necessary. If they make changes, review them as they can be your goal to achieve better marks.

Writing the coursework

As much as there is a clear structure for the general paper, make sure you understand each paper’s requirements. At times, the instructions change depending on the subject matter and the teacher’s preference. Again, the topics come in different forms such as analysis, arguments, reports, among others. That is why the approach you use depends on the type of question or topic.

Guidelines for your coursework

Coursework is like any academic paper. If you have ever written other academic papers, it means you know how to structure the work and how to do research. However, there are some rules for every type of writing. The same applies to coursework because you will need to consider the following points to ensure your paper is relevant.

• Avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense. Just like other academic papers, you must stay creative and unique when writing a research paper. Even if you use other people’s work, you must remain unique and relevant in your own ways. There are softwares used to detect plagiarism and if you get caught, be ready for severe punishment.
• Do not seek help from the teacher and other students. The work of the tutors is to give directions. No student should look for favors from teachers or other students when writing the coursework paper. You must work on your own to get genuine marks.
• The word limit. As a student, you must ensure you read the instructions carefully. Part of the guidelines is the words required to accomplish the task. Ensure you hit the required number of words before submitting your paper. Exclude the references, appendices, and footnotes from the word count.
• Topic selection. Do not choose any topic for the sake of it. You must ensure you are writing on a topic that is within your coursework. Again, do not write on a topic that is already covered by other students. You can check with your teacher to confirm the topics and further guidance.  

All students must adhere to the above rules when writing the coursework.

Writing rules

Before anything, you need to select the best topic to write on. Be creative enough and think of an idea within your coursework that will give you enough ideas when writing your point. Go for a topic you love because it will provide you with the morale to research and make discoveries.

After you have the topic, you need to plan how you will write the paper. Schedule the time on how you will accomplish different tasks and stay disciplined to the time you set.

Again, gather enough materials that you will use when writing the paper. Start your assignment the moment you get it to have adequate time to do good research. Do not be the last-minute student because you will fail terribly. Remember the coursework contributes to your final grades. You must be keen to get the best marks.

Plan the structure of the coursework according to the instructions from the teacher. This gives you an easy time when writing the actual paper because you can arrange your ideas in a good flow. 

Once you have the structure and materials, the next step is to write down the ideas in an organized manner.

Finally, ensure you proofread your coursework before submitting it—correct all the possible typos and grammatical errors. Once you are sure of everything, go ahead and submit the work.