Here are some tips for writing your term papers and for writing in general.  Even though you probably know most of these, please review them before you write.

Before you write, read the assignment carefully.  If you don't understand the assignment, you cannot write about it effectively.

Generally...

Outline your paper before you write it.  

Organize each paragraph so that it makes one point and provides supporting arguments for that point.

Be sure you answer the question(s) asked in the assignment.  

Be sure it is clear that you have answered the question(s).

Be sure each word means what you think it means.  

Do not use two words when one will do.  Here are some phrases you need never write: "At this point in time," "In this day and age," and "At the current time."  Each can be conveyed with the word "Now."  

Avoid redundancy. For example, you needn't say "apart from each other." "Apart" means from each other.  Simply say "apart."  Also, don't write, "actually" before a verb.  More on that below.

Also, "is using" vs. "uses"... Unless it’s happening right now "uses" is better.  Below are a few more.

"Went to go" --- "left"

"headed toward" --- "left", "went"

"What I am saying" --- Just say it.

"I am thinking that" --- "I think"

Don't use the word "just" when you mean "simply."  Just means "with respect to justice."

Don't use generalities or platitudes.  There is no need to tell anyone that anything has existed "since the beginning of time."

Don't use words that are larger than they need to be.  

Use the word "amount" to refer to nouns you cannot count individually. Use "number" to refer to nouns you can count individually. For example, you have an amount of sugar, but a number of sugar granules; There is a large number of people, not a large amount of people.  There is a large anount of snow, not a large number of snow.

Avoid slang: phrases like "nowadays"… "way" anything…" and … "sticks in my head" (think about that phrase) are words you may say, but should not write.

Make sure modifiers are appropriate, e.g. "actually." Only use "actually" if you think the reader may assume you mean falsely. "First he faked throwing the bottle at the car. Then when the next car came by, he actually threw the bottle."

Also, "this certain message." Certain means ‘a subset.’ Certain individuals…certain ads. While this ad is a subset of all ads, you don’t need to say, "the subset of this one."  Simply say, "This ad."

Than vs. Then… Than is a comparison "...more of this than that." Then indicates time order. "She did this, then that."

Don’t use "would be" when you mean "is" or "am." "Would be" is conditional. Correct: "In that situation, I would be frightened." Incorrect: "In the commercial, the man would be riding a horse." Correct: "In the commercial, the man is riding a horse."…rode a horse.

I'll add more of these as I discover them.