I got a C on a thought paper (and feel horrible about it). How to move on and do better next time?

Question

I knew it was a bad paper, but I had nothing to say in it. That's why it was so bad. 

The professor said in his comments that "your ideas and responses to the text are really good....you're right right about what you're seeing in the book, and .....you see the complexity. And your responses to particular passages and moments are likewise convincing and perceptive."

That's very nice, but then:
"The difficulty...is that....you're not yet certain how to present this material in the form of a tightly-structured 3-4 page critical essay.. A chunk of the paper's midsection is basically a compilation....of evidence, rather than an organically unified argument that both sets forth an interpretation and clearly works through that interpretation, step by step....."

This is totally and completely true. I agree with him. It's awful. I knew that when I turned it in, but I couldn't make it any better. I had nothing to say. 
Now, I have to write another paper, and I really want to do better! Help?

ivoriiee · Accepted Answer

I know exactly how you feel i've been there. It's good that you know what you need to work on next time. So ask yourself for you're next paper what needs to be fixed and go get help!
It helps to write down the main points and do an outline. This way you can work on your structure like the professor said. Also since you have all the facts/evidence down, try putting  your own thoughts and why you feel that way about evidence and what not. So you can show you understand and "unified argument that both sets forth an interpretation and clearly works through" etc etc....

Try having different people proofread before you hand it in.
good luck next time!

ARMY WIFE · Answer

I totally feel ya! I got a D+ on a paper I did just reciently in my English class 112.  I felt so horrible. My instructor said that my information was well written and informative but it wasn't long enough. The same thing kind of happened. I just ran out of things to say about the subject. Somehow even with that D+ I ended up getting a B+ course grade. You just have to try to forget about it and start on your new subject.

Kay A · Answer

Have others read it and to give you ideas or  ask others about (the subject you have to write about ) what they feel and think, if they had to write something about it. Try and get a few ideas from others then you might have something from there to talk about. Good Luck!!

Sultan Cartman · Answer

plan your thoughts out
the same thing often happens to me
what i do is outline all my thoughts and group them.
trust me, try this once and you will succeed. 
g luck

Anonymous · Answer

though police is at it again,

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I got a C on a thought paper (and feel horrible about it). How to move on and do better next time?

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