1. Get the basics right. Make a new and creative argument, check grammar and spelling, use consistent citations, bibliography, etc.
2. Overall appearance and spelling matter. Use spell-check and have other's proof-read your work.
3. Cite properly. Any words, parts of sentences, whole sentences, or paragraphs authored by someone else have to be identified as such (see academic honesty). It does not matter if these sources are articles, books, interviews, on-line, or from any other area providing ideas on your research subject.
4. Cite consistently. Citations should be consistent and allow the reader to easily retrieve the source of the quote (Who wrote it? What is the title? Where and when was it published?). There are many citation styles to choose from; consistency is what matters.
5. Avoid excessive quotation. Whatever someone else says in a different context, needs proper contextualization in your own work. Excessive use of quotations indicates a lack of effort in formulating one's own ideas.
6. Consider serious objections to your argument. Cite such claims from other authors or develop such objections yourself. Make sure that such counter claims are serious enough to either improve your original argument or force you to abandon it. Ask the instructor if you have difficulties in identifying such objections.
7. Address objections systematically. A proper reaction to an objection can be accomplished either by rejecting ("This is wrong, because evidence A or B shows...."), weakening ("This might be true, but there are unintended negative consequences such as...."), or by setting aside the other position for specific reasons ("This claim is correct, but I give preference to a different set of moral principles......."). Be aware of the differences between factual claims and normative statements. They are both acceptable but should always be separated and might require different forms of argumentative support.