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Lamb Learner Success Centre

Benefits of planning papers

There are many benefits to planning your papers before you begin.

Decrease stress
Planning your papers gives you a sense of your tasks, allows you to break things down and complete steps little by little. This goes a long way to helping reduce overwhelm.
Meet deadlines
It's important to submit papers and assignments on time. Having a plan allows you to meet deadlines without submitting your work late (and losing marks).
Improve efficiency
Having a plan with timelines helps you focus on your tasks rather than procrastinate.
Improve writing
When you have a plan, you are more likely to give yourself the time needed to reflect, research, and write effectively. You are also more likely to edit your work before submitting it - an important step for improving your writing.

Writing a group paper? Download the Group Work Checklist (PDF). It provides a great guide to planning and organizing your group papers, presentations, or projects. 

Reading and understanding instructions

In preparation for assignments and papers, it's essential to thoroughly understand your instructions and follow them closely. We recommend you practice:

  • reading instructions EARLY (the same day you receive them) for every assignment/paper you receive by setting aside 10-15 minutes to review instructions
  • scheduling this task into your phone, planner, or agenda.

This prevents last-minute reading, misunderstanding instructions, adding incorrect information to papers, or forgetting essential details, which can lead to lower grades.

Active reading strategies

We recommend you practice paying close attention to your instructions by:

  • reading the instructions section by section
  • underline or highlight key information (for example, deadlines)
  • rewrite or make additional notes in margins
  • ask your instructor questions ASAP if you don't understand something
  • checkmark or cross off information you have added to your assignment as you work through it.
Example of notes you can take when actively reading instructions
An example of what actively reading your instructions might look like.
An example of what tracking your progress might look like
An example of what tracking your progress might look like.

Try the Written Kitten website as a progress tracker. It tracks how many words you've written and provides a pop-up of a cute animal picture every time you hit your goal.

Planning your assignment

Whether planning a paper, a presentation, or any other large task, follow a few simple steps:

  1. Break down the assignment into smaller, manageable steps.
  2. Assign mini-deadlines for each step.

Example plan for a small paper

Example steps to take when completing a paper
Steps Mini-deadlines
Read instructions Jan. 9th
Choose topic Jan. 10th
Brainstorm ideas Jan. 12th
Create outline Jan. 13th
Start writing Jan. 14th
Finish draft Jan. 17th
Edit draft Jan. 18th
Submit Jan. 20th

Online planning calculators

Planning calculators can do a big chunk of the work for you.

Calculators like the two below allow you to fill out the information required, and the tool will provide you with a general guideline of steps and suggested deadline dates. 

Remember to use these calculators as a starting point. Your assignment is unique, so you may need to adjust the steps to fit your assignment/paper as needed.

The Pomodoro timer is an excellent tool for writing. It encourages short work sessions (25 minutes), making it a great tool to help you get started on your writing and avoid procrastination. 

Contact us at

Writing Services

Lamb Learner Success Centre, MC221, Stan Grad Centre, SAIT Main Campus

403.284.8082
writing.help@sait.ca
a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Visit Natoysopoyiis Resource Centre