Make a realistic assessment of the demands of the assignment.
How will marks be assigned to the various components of the assignment?
Could the research for this paper be narrowed somewhat?
Could you write to express the main points without focusing too much on the flow or style? Or is this an assignment for which flow and style are emphasized?
What penalties exist for late submissions? For example, are you better off to hand in an unpolished paper on time rather than taking a penalty for submitting a polished paper after the deadline? Should you show your professor your current work and discuss a possible extension?