If you are having trouble getting started, then make sure that you complete at least one invention exercise before you begin a draft. However, completing more than one exercise is even more beneficial. Try starting with something to help you generate ideas, such as freewriting or listing and then move to something that will help you explore those ideas in more depth, such as clustering, questioning, or outlining. As you consider possible topics, make sure that you select something that is interesting to you. It is much easier to write about topics that interest you than topics that bore you.
Even if your mind is blank, write, “My mind is blank” over and over again until you think of something else to write. The most important thing is to keep writing for 15 minutes. When you are finished, look over what you have written to see what you have written. You can then take the most useful sections and expand on these in another timed freewrite. Keep in mind that a freewriting exercise should not be used as a first draft for a paper. [2] X Research source Freewriting is a way to generate ideas and the results are often disorganized and chaotic, so submitting a free write as a first draft may result in a bad grade.
For example, for a research paper assignment in a composition class, you might write down things like, vertical farming, farm animal welfare, crop rotation, etc. After you have finished your list, identify a few topics that stand out to you and explore these as possible topics for your writing project. Consider how well the topic matches the assignment guidelines, how interested you are in the topic, and how you might refine the topic to suit your needs. When you have chosen a topic, you may also want to do a freewrite on the topic to help you generate ideas and figure out what you already know about the topic.
To create a cluster, take out a piece of paper and draw a circle in the center. Then, write your topic in the center of this circle. Next, draw a line extending out from the circle and draw another circle at the end of it. In this circle, write down a sub-topic of your main topic. Continue adding lines extending from your central circle as well as from smaller circles connected to the center circle to build connections among these ideas.
Who is affected by this topic? What are the key issues associated with this topic? When did this issue start? Where is the issue occurring? Why is this happening? How can we fix the problem?
If you are writing a paper for a course, schedule an appointment with your teacher or professor. You can say something like, “I have some ideas for the next paper and I was hoping to run them by you and see what you think. Are you available to meet before or after class sometime?”
Keep in mind that an outline can be as detailed or as scant as you want it to be. For example, you can include a bullet point with a topic sentence for every paragraph with sub-bullets for ideas that you will discuss in the paragraphs, or you can just list the ideas you will discuss in the order that you will discuss them.
Make sure that you give yourself at least two hours to sit and write your draft. Turn off your cell phone, ask your parents or roommates not to disturb you, and eliminate any other potential distractions. Gather all of your notes from your invention exercises before you begin writing. If you have completed a couple of invention exercises, then you should have a good idea of where to begin and how to organize your thoughts. If not, then you may want to spend some time outlining before you get started.
Try to write an introduction that will draw your readers into the story and help them connect with your topic. You might begin by asking a question, giving an illustrative example, or explaining a difficult concept. Avoid giving broad history in your intro. Introductions sometimes go too wide and this can be confusing for readers. [7] X Research source Avoid starting your paper with phrases like, “Since the dawn of time. . . " or “Everyone in the history of mankind. . . " or " Avoid providing dictionary definitions. Intros that include a definition are often dull and the definition is not usually necessary at all. Avoid starting your paper with phrases like, “The dictionary defines friendship as. . . " or “According to Webster’s dictionary. . . "
For example, if you ask a friend to read your paper, tell him or her what class the paper is for, what the assignment requirements are, and what (if any) particular concerns you have about what you have written. Most universities have writing centers where students can drop in or schedule an appointment to meet with a writing tutor for free. A writing tutor can read your paper and help you identify ways to improve your work.
Keep in mind that revising is not the same as proofreading. Proofreading is the final step in the writing process where you identify minor errors and make your paper look polished. Revising is when you look at your paper with a fresh perspective and consider how you can make it better. [8] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source To revise, you may have to delete, add, reorder, reorganize, or expand existing paragraphs in your draft. As you revise, make sure that you address any areas for improvement that your readers have identified for you. You should also read over your work yourself and look for areas that would benefit from more details, better sources, or a tighter focus. Remember that writing is a process and it is often cyclical. Sometimes revision may require you to add a significant amount of text to fully explain a concept or to strengthen an argument. To do this, you may need to return to the invention stage. If possible, take a break between drafting your paper and revising it. Taking at least a few hours or a few days between drafting and revising will help you to see your paper with fresh eyes. This will make it easier to identify problems and their solutions.
Great writers compose multiple drafts of their work and have the text reviewed by professional editors. No one expects a first draft to be good. But sitting down and finishing it will give you the chance to see what fits and what does not. From there it will be much easier to improve your ideas. Writing also takes practice. It might take a few failed manuscripts to get it right.
Consider going on a walk to clear your head. [11] X Research source For more energy, try a short jog. Alternatively, stretch for a couple of minutes to relax yourself. [12] X Research source
Caffeine has other properties that can improve your writing, like increased short term memory and cognitive abilities. The positive effects of caffeine, however, can be negated if it impairs your sleep. Moderate your consumption and drink it early in the day[15] X Research source
Jazz and classical music are often good ambient music choices for writing. [17] X Research source
One of the difficulties with writing today is that the best media for composition—your computer—is also rife with distractions of its own. There is, however, specialized software that can change this. Some programs will ration the time you can spend on social media. Writing programs can limit your access to other functions of the computer, so that you can focus exclusively on writing. [20] X Research source
For example, Simone de Beauvoir would always begin her days with a cup of tea, review what she had written the previous day, write for several hours, take some time off, and then return to work after dinner. [22] X Research source Try to have a designated place and time to work. This sort of routine can create a cue for your brain when it is time to begin work. Perhaps you should always have a cup of coffee or tea before work. Maybe you should always have music on. Perhaps you could eat breakfast directly before writing. Create as many atmospheric cues as possible to tell your brain to get to work.
Try doing an interview. Ask a prominent person if they are willing to talk to you. You might be surprised who would be willing to talk to you for a bit of additional publicity. Such a big name can bring in new readers. [23] X Research source
