In preparing to write your paper you will first have identified a problem, or hypothetical condition to be solved or dealt with. You many not have a title for your Paper yet, and that’s ok, it usually comes later. You may feel a bit vague about where to start, or the direction your thinking, and research is taking and that’s ok too. There is a process of understanding and assimilation going on at the subliminal level and this takes time to gel and surface. Continue with your research, read your journal and take time to think critically in respect of a clear notion of what the problem means, and what constructive solutions mean. When the idea forms, then think about what you have learned, or gained insight into in respect of the idea being a solution – remember to use the mind-map technique, and your journal as a record, guide and reference - in terms of applying knowledge or inspiration to move your thinking towards the solution of the problem, or condition.

Use a mind map; your supervisor will discuss this with you, to put the headings in order of priority. A comes before B. Start to write using your mind map. Write a paper about how you plan to implement ideas gained from your research and the book(s) you have read to solve the problem. It does not matter that you may not have yet actually implemented a solution. You can develop an action plan to solve or overcome the problem or hypothetical condition and that plan is worth talking about. Create a written detailed implementation plan of how you will apply your solution, or partial solution.

Identifying Practical Problems
In your job, at home, and socially, you face opportunities, or problems (one man’s problem may be another man’s opportunity), that you have now, or expect to have. You may be going after a job, a promotion, and have identified opportunities that with research and a plan on, you can move forward.

Name the problem . Once identified, the problem is the one you will solve through research and by using your creative intelligence. When ready, draft your implementation plan and ‘fight the battle through to victory’, in your imagination – see the solution working - before implementing any of the implementation plan’s steps. Remember to use your journal. Measure small steps of improvement, and reflect on these in relation to your plan – change the steps or your plan, if necessary. Assimilation takes time, and measurement shows progress.


Normalise Frustration
Consider this. When, after some 10,000 trial and error attempts had failed to make the light-bulb work, in the face of cynicism, pessimism, disbelief, sarcasm, doubt, distrust, fear, suspicion, disparagement, scepticism, even scorn. The inventor merely said, “I know 10,000 things that won’t work”. He saw the light, before the light actually worked. His real light was to show the importance of being in your centre, fixed on the outcome and not the setbacks along the journey. It is the journey and not the outcome that is important. If you give up, then your Success EQ needs massaging. Remember your supervisor. Talk to your supervisor. That’s what he’s there for. Rests along the journey are necessary, but don’t give up. If not y_o_u, then w_h_o? “It’s all character building”. (Mike D. Stack)

Similarly, you may face opportunities (problems) that you have, or expect, in your personal life. Apply the same format and planning from your program at work, or to solve life’s little challenges – make judicious use of your journal. If not you, thee who?

You will find this approach supports studying leadership, personal management, relationship management or other topics involving people in relation to self-improvement. Learn about yourself. Love your frustration. See yourself through non-work relationships such as family, friends, spiritual growth, or other social groups you belong to. Take small steps by thinking through consequences of actions, and by applying in small doses those ideas gleaned from your reading; either by directly implementing these ideas or by creating a detailed plan of how you would, or could, use these ideas for the better. Let your light shine. Remember your supervisor. Talk to your supervisor. That’s what he’s there for.

Entrepreneur
See yourself as an entrepreneur. First, identify your opportunity idea. Your idea for a business, then work on developing your idea through creating a plan to get you off the ground, the business funded and operational, by a step-by-step implementation plan. Define the critical success factors. Use your supervisor as your sounding board. Remember your supervisor. Talk to your supervisor. That’s what he’s there for.

Consultant
See yourself as a consultant. Write your curriculum vitae around your area of expertise – your edge. What niche will you own? What company, or organization, or person can benefit from hiring your expertise? What will it take for them to accept your support? What are the opportunities, their practical problems, what are your solutions? Use ideas, and inspiration from your program studies. Adopt a role model, a mentor. Consult your supervisor. The strategy developed here can also be used when job hunting in an industry, profession, or company you are targeting. Remember your supervisor. Talk to your supervisor. That’s what he’s there for.

Sounding board
If you need support to identify an opportunity, or problem, or you need guidance along the way on your ideas, theories, or implementation plan, please talk to your supervisor. Use your Success EQ. Remember your supervisor. Talk to your supervisor. That’s what he’s there for.

Your Paper
Practical Course papers will usually take 30 - 40 hours and be awarded 2 credits. Your supervisor can award more credits based on the quality of your course paper and journal. You will not be examined on your paper.

Following the hands-on manner outlined here will ensure that your paper is your work. If you want to include something from a published book or taken from your research on the Internet, then paraphrase, use a small amount of the material and give credit to the author in the body of your paper or through footnotes or endnotes and if it is a website please give the website address.

Guidelines on Credits
In your paper’s appendix you can include references to the work, book, or material, and its author that you have used or referred to in writing your Paper. Show your reasons, or those authorities for the ideas that you have adopted, or referred to, and used to form the basis or your solution, argument, or action, leading to your theory or hypothesis. The material could include a detailed drawing, plan or anything else that you found useful in your research reading or produced during your program.


The Paper’s Format and Length
Your paper’s layout should include the Program, or Course name and information, Topic, Objective, Overview, Body, and Summary. The paper’s length should not be less than 3500 words, excluding appendices. There can be exceptions to this policy made by your supervisor.


Writing Style, or Prose
Your style of writing is best if your write like you speak. A formal, or academic style does not reflect the unique way in which you speak. Seek to slow down your thoughts and write like you speak. Consider using a Dictaphone until it comes together, which it will with practice. If you speak using "you", or "I", then use them in your writing. In your paper’s appendix remember to include the material references to demonstrate how you have applied your research ideas into your actions.

Completing your Paper
You, along with your supervisor can agree what book(s), papers; materials can form the basis of your research. Read these materials for information, and ideas, that has reference to your practical problem. Start to make journal notes. You may consider using the applicable rules in Adler's How to Read a Book (available online or at Amazon.com) as you do this.


Mind Map
Create a mind map. A mind map is the best way of involving the creative areas of your brain to get you writing, organizing your thoughts in a logical and structured way, and to over come and writing block, or fear. Your supervisor will forward you details on mind mapping to get you started.

Paper Template

Step 1
Start writing an Overview of the paper, article or book, including information about the author. Give the reasons why you chose these materials. The overview section should total no more than 1000 words. You don’t need to summarise the content of the book. If, for some reason you decide to summarise the book, then your summary goes as an appendix at the end of your paper, and not in the Overview.

When you have finished your Overview, send a copy to your supervisor. You have now finished Step 1 of your course paper.

Step 2
Next, write a list identifying all of the practical problems that you have identified now, or expect. Beside each problem write how you can / will use or apply some of or all of the ideas you have come up with from the research and reading you have done. Develop your ideas from the ideas you have read to solve the problem, step-by-step. Refine you list into a detailed Plan. Make the solutions a step-by-step ladder to success to fully solve the problem.


Step 3
When you are ready start writing the Body of your paper. Write as if you are having a conversation with someone and stating the problem and its solution. As you do this cross each completed step off the list and move to the next one, logically, and objectively. Remember this is a problem solving paper and the reader is interested in solutions, not emotions. When finished, submit your revised paper to your supervisor. You now have completed Step 3 off your course paper.

Final Paper
Over the next few weeks (or more if necessary) apply your ideas from your book(s), and journalised notes to create a detailed paper: the Program, or Course name and information, Topic, Objective, Overview, Body, and Summary. Include your Implementation Plan, showing how your ideas applied logically and systematically offer / are a solution. Write your final paper by discussing the results, outcomes, to be gained from your research. If you can, present the results gained from implementing your Plan (Implementation). Finally, explain why others should consider reading the Paper / book(s), and using the ideas you chose. After you complete your paper send it for editing. After you implement the changes the editor recommends, please send it to your supervisor for grading. Note: your supervisor may want to see the final version of your paper before you send it to the editor.

After you finish your paper we encourage you to consider submitting it, in full or part, to Amazon.com as an online book review. Time spent writing your review will count toward the hours spent on your course.

You may receive credits for a custom course you have submitted, and / or had published, or reviewed on Amazon.com. You should include your published papers on your resume. Further, you may earn credits by writing one or more autobiographical papers about what you have done and what you have learned from your career, work and life experiences. Papers or book chapters for this type of custom course can be autobiographical or you can discuss your experience in relation to a particular subject area.