By Lauren Husz
Calling all high schoolers!
If you're anything like me, you most likely have that one lit teacher who is obsessed with assigning papers. If it were between reading 200 fifteen-page papers all debating whether Ophelia is pregnant in Hamlet, or assigning a test they could have graded in minutes, they would choose the paper. I come before you to present my humble guide to writing an awesome paper—whether it be research or creative, these resources are sure to help you out.
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The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
HEAR ME OUT. While I don't recommend sitting down to read this due to the high likelihood of being bored to tears, I strongly advise using it as a reference for all your grammatical inquiries. If you weren't paying attention in 7th grade when they were teaching indirect objects because school was online and you were watching Grey's Anatomy instead of listening, that's okay! Strunk and White have got you! The Elements of Style teaches you everything you need to know, from that stingy indirect object to things you've probably never heard of, like gerunds!
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Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
If you're writing a research paper, I can't emphasize enough the usefulness of Purdue Online Writing Lab. OWL is The Elements of Style on steroids. It's near impossible to try to remember all the varying rules and regulations when it comes to MLA and APA formatting, but this website has everything you need to know. While possessing a plethora of knowledge concerning formatting styles, the site also has helpful tips when it comes to grammar, avoiding plagiarism, and translingual writing.
- Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lectures (2025)
If you want to strengthen your creative writing skills to build your own fantastical world, or just impress your teachers with your amazing imagination, Brandon Sanderson's online writing lectures have everything you'll need and more. Found on his YouTube, this collection of videos will help you create relatable, capable characters, teach you tools for wonderful worldbuilding, and guide you through the tall task of creating a magic system.
As a high schooler juggling APs and sports and extracurriculars, I'm fairly picky with the books I choose to spend my time reading. For me, they have to be fast paced, filled with action, and preferably include some type of magic system. When I was about thirteen, my uncle, recognizing my blossoming love for reading, gave me some of his favorite books to pick through. This pile happened to include Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Little did I know that this book would spark my love for fantasy and set the bar for every book that came after it. While the incredible magic system and page-turning plot is unrivaled, what really sets this story apart are the characters. In Mistborn, I found a strong, woman main character who was unafraid to capitalize on her rare power: she didn't need to be saved because she was the one doing the saving. This book has followed me into my reading and writing by showing me the influential power of a relatable main character and the strength in a stunningly crafted plot.
I hope this guide proves of some usefulness, and that you let your favorite books guide you into becoming an amazing reader and writer!
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Lauren Husz is a senior at Lexington Catholic High School, hoping to pursue a career in editing or publishing. When she isn't reading fantastical tales about a faraway world, you can find her playing softball, puzzling, or listening to country music.
