Organization
Everything in life that is important, requires organization in order to get it done right, fast and good. You have to organize yourself and make a plan, when will you be working on the paper, how and what are you going to write about. Organize yourself for great results.
Select the topic carefully
If you have the opportunity to choose the topic by yourself, than you should really choose something that inspired you and motivates you too. If you are curious about something, it will be a hundred times easier to write about that.
Talk to the professor
You should have a good relationship with your professor, because that way, you will make sure that you have the most reliable information. He can give you some hints and tips in order to get the best result. Discuss your idea and ask some questions.
Do research
The research part is very important, because the information you get will be the be the base for your paper. Try to find reliable sources like books, newspaper and other literature. It will provide you with enough information, but the internet can also be your second choice.
Make an outline
An outline or a guide will help you to write a better research paper. You can write down your main ideas and your topic. Than you can draw some branches, and make sections and subsections. This is a great way to organize everything properly. It will make less space for mistakes.
Write the draft
The next step would be to write your first draft. It will give you the first picture of what your paper will look like. You will also be able to add or remove some parts if you feel the need to do so. The draft will make it easier for you to write the final part.