Final Paper Project

Final paper project – overview

by John Bandler

This page is about the semester-long final paper project, a phased process.

Over the years of teaching I implemented a phased process to aid my students with the writing process and encourage continual research, editing, and refinement. This provides opportunities for feedback during the semester, and enhances learning before the paper is submitted.

At the bottom are links to instructions for each phase of the project.

In sum

Research, write, edit, and submit an excellent final paper.

The goal of this project is that you put in effort and improve your:

  • Knowledge of the subject matter
  • Research skills
  • Writing and editing skills
  • Presentation skills.

Every person needs these skills, no matter what your major, interests, future job or career. That's why I incorporate a paper into every semester, even though it is a lot of work for me.

Every person, no matter where they are starting from now, should seek to improve their skills. Improvement comes only with practice and effort. This means you need to do your own work, start by reading the course materials, do your own research, do your own writing and editing. Do not take shortcuts, do the work and put in the effort.

Remember the goals as laid out above. Then pay attention to various assignment instructions, starting with with the most important ones. The result will be self-improvement and an excellent final presentation and paper.

Remember the professional and dedicated resources at your school (Librarians, writing center, etc.) so please check with them.

At the bottom are links with more details on each phase.

Why this phased project?

As you progress through the project and other linked pages, the value of it to you should become clearer.

Students learn and improve themselves through continual effort, and create a better final product.

There is opportunity for work, feedback, and improvement during the semester and long before the due date.

A phased project with mini deadlines ensures work is completed at each stage, with feedback opportunities to guide, correct, and improve. Let's face it, some students procrastinate.

We can't eat an elephant in one sitting, build a house in a day, nor run a marathon in an hour.

That's a lot of metaphors, so let's pick the marathon analogy. We don't have to run a marathon in a day, we can walk it a few miles each week. Each phase represents a certain number of miles completed, and submission of the final paper is the finish line. Let's cover a little distance each week to get ourselves to the finish line methodically and comfortably.Paper Project Process Marathon 2023-5 (2) Overview

You are in charge of your own learning in life. Use this project, course, and all other courses to build yourself. It would be a waste to graduate and gain a degree without the requisite learning.

Any student who wrote a paper right before it is due realizes there is little learning value in that.

Students who take "shortcuts" do not get to the same destination. Put in the time and effort to practice and build your research and writing skills.

What "type" of paper is this?

Sometimes I am asked what "type" of paper this is supposed to be. Students might ask if this an argumentative paper, compare and contrast paper, research paper, persuasive paper, process paper, etc. But if I were to label it as a type of paper, then we would have more debate and discussion about what that "type" of paper really is or means.

So just stick with the basics. You get to pick a topic, you write about the topic you pick, and you do lots of research, thought, writing, and editing to learn about, and then convey that topic. And build your skills in the process through your honest effort.

The phases

Writing resources include

Research resources include

  • Start with what is already a part of this course, including assigned reading!
  • Then look at the materials the above reference (what is cited, additional resources, etc.)
  • Then look for other reliable sources
  • The school's library
  • Consulting with school resources.

Other links

Watch me walk through these instructions in a short video

Posted 10/18/2022 based on years of teaching. Updated 2/23/2025