Rule 1: Create regular time blocks for writing as appointments in your calendar and keep these appointments.
Rule 2: Create a detailed outline and discuss it with your mentor and peers.
Rule 3: Be meticulous and accurate in describing the Materials and Methods. Do not change the point of view within one paragraph.
Rule 4: Be clear, concise, and objective in describing your Results.
Rule 5: Interest your reader in the Introduction section by signalling all its elements and stating the novelty of the work.
Rule 6: Present the principles, relationships, and generalizations in a concise and convincing tone.
Rule 7: Revise your paper at the macrostructure and the microstructure level using different strategies and techniques. Receive feedback and revise again.
The Five Commandments of Writing Research Papers:
1. Thou shalt do some background reading, think hard, and speak with the professor in order to identify a topic.
2. Thou shalt have a clear research question.
3. Thou shalt do real research.
4. Thou shalt make an argument.
5. Thou shalt write well.