How do you finish a report in one day?

You can finish in one long day, if you are super organized. Also, keep moving forward, and don't throw away work that you have already done. Most steps will be at the brainstorming level and you will organize it later. By starting late, you've cut out the time you would have had for reflection. Anyways, moving on:

1. Pick a topic. You can refine the specifics later; you just need something to fit the assignment that hopefully has plenty of information available.

2. Look up some resources (a few more than however many assigned) and complete the bibliographic information in the format required. Type out the list.

3. Write a basic list of what you want to include (can be in outline form or not)

4. Look for the information. Write some paragraphs that have a main idea and two or more facts that support the main idea in just that paragraph. Do not delete any of these.

5. Have a short snack or lunch--15 minutes. Step away from the computer/TV/phone.

6. Make an outline using the paragraphs you have. You may want to print out the paragraphs, cut them into separate pieces. Then, organize the paper pieces so they mostly make sense.

7. Does one of the paragraphs you wrote work as an introductory paragraph? If not, write one that tells the reader the main thrust of your report and what you are going to tell them.

8. Write the ending paragraph. Tell us the conclusion that you came to using this information.

9. Take another short 15 minute break. Snack and go for a walk around the block.

10. Save the writing on the computer. Then, do "save as" for your second draft. Organize this draft so it matches your pieces of paper. Add the beginning and the end.

11. This is so important: check to be sure the report says what you think it does. Make an outline or draw a web so that you can see how the ideas connect logically.

Then, read it out loud. If someone is around, ask them to read it over.

12. Make adjustments, run spell check and print it out. At this point, it is as good as it is going to get in one day. Be sure to turn it in.