The very best way to write a good paper and give a good presentation is to ask a good question. Likely, you may have a notion of a topic, a preassigned thesis statement or paragraph to explore, or a book or books and articles that you have read. Still, you must formulate a good question. At the undergraduate level I anticipate that your question will be formed primarily by your curiosity and interests; at the graduate level I expect your question to be informed by the appropriate bodies of literature. Your once sentence answer to a good question will become your thesis statement. That thesis statement will shape, define, and limit the content, organization, and analysis of your research, written work, and oral presentations. Once you know what your question is, you will be ready to structure your analysis. The links below offer suggestions, advice, and instruction for a variety of types of writing and for oral presentations.