Writing Term Papers from the Bottom Up

You’ve probably heard of the standard format for term papers: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Students are generally taught to tell their readers what to expect, give them that information, and then restate it for the not-so-exciting end. While it’s ideal to complete an outline prior to jumping into the writing stage, most college students start writing the beginning line of their papers and finish as soon as the last sentence is complete. This can make for a pile of ideas with an anticlimactic finish. What happens if you start from the end?

Starting from the end of your paper means writing the conclusion first. Use an example or tie in a concept that you’ll explain later in the body of your paper. Write with the freshness and enthusiasm that we can usually muster at the beginning of the process but can sometimes stall by the end. Consider these points as you write your conclusion:

1) Conclusions differ from introductions because rather than attracting information, they should serve to drive home your main points. You should know your main points prior to starting to write your essay, so these should be clear in your conclusion.

2) Writing from the bottom up prevents students from making some of the most common mistakes on term papers. If you mention a concept in your conclusion, you must introduce it in the body of your paper. Writing the conclusion first will provide a structure for the remainder of your paper.

3) After writing your conclusion, start with the body. Save your introduction for the final hoorah. It’s easier to write attention-getting statements about material once you’ve already presented all the information. By the time you’ve written about your topic, you’ll know what will be most exciting for the reader and can make a point to draw them in about the most interesting parts in your introduction.

Writing from the bottom up is an effective way to improve (and survive) writing for term papers and other assignments. Word processing programs make it possible to write in whatever order is best. Try bottom up writing for a new perspective.