Plan a Research Paper / Seminar Paper

Plan the milestones backwards from the submission deadline.
Rule of thumb: one third research, one third writing, and one third revision and formal requirements.

Topic finalised: DD.MM.
Outline discussed with supervisor: DD.MM.
First draft completed: DD.MM.
Revision completed: DD.MM.
Submission: DD.MM.

Use a precise question instead of a broad topic: not Climate Change, but How Is Climate Change Affecting Viticulture in the Rhine-Hesse Region?

Use one box per source: full citation, main point, and page numbers of important passages

Clarify the school's required citation style (footnotes or in-text citations) and apply it consistently from the beginning. Adding citations afterwards is painful.

1. Introduction: research question and approach
2. to 4. Main section: enter the chapters
5. Conclusion: answer to the research question
Bibliography, appendix

Use one box per chapter with a deadline
Tip: Do not start with the introduction; it is easier to write at the end

Write bullet points first, then turn them into sentences. A poor first draft is better than a blank page.

Cover page according to the requirements
Table of contents with page numbers
All quotations cited and bibliography complete
Declaration of independent work signed
Proofread by 2 people
Printing and binding: allow a 2-day buffer