Writing papers is a part of every student’s life. Writing a good one can feel overwhelming. But what if it’s about more than just getting a grade? What if your writing is actually an opportunity to think clearly, communicate truth, and even honor God? In this episode of College Faith, we’re talking about what students need to understand first in order to write well, the essential elements of a strong paper, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and how to approach research, AI, and the writing process with wisdom and integrity. To guide us, I’m joined by Dr. Bruce Barron, an experienced writer, editor, and communications leader who has spent decades helping scholars, students, and public thinkers express complex ideas with clarity and impact. Bruce has served in senior editorial roles with major policy and Christian publications, edited books and academic manuscripts, and coached countless writers from rough drafts to polished, compelling work. His experience at the intersection of careful research, thoughtful Christian engagement, and practical communication makes him an ideal guide for any student who wants to become not just a better writer, but a more faithful one.

In this podcast we discuss:

What students should understand first to write a good paper
The elements of a good paper
The single biggest mistake students make when writing a paper
A balanced, biblical approach to your studies, including writing papers
Proper and improper ways to use AI when writing
How much research for the paper is enough
The steps in writing a good paper
The importance of building a good relationship with your professors
How to see your studies as an act of worship
The most important thing to remember when writing a paper
Some ways writing skills impact all of life after college

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

BruceBarron.substack.com
Bruce Barron, “On Writing So Well That You Don’t Need an Editor” (Society of Christian Scholars webinar)