If you find yourself staring at a blank screen, without knowing how to start writing your essay – you are not alone.
Every student gets this feeling at some point in their life. They keep waiting for the right argument to come to their mind, unable to find the perfect opening line for their essay. And ultimately, they end up feeling frustrated.
The next time this happens, you can try one of these creative strategies to find some inspiration.
1. Write Now, Edit Later
When you are having trouble writing the perfect first sentence, remember that your primary objective is to get your thoughts down. You can edit it later to make it more compelling and persuasive to the reader. You even have the option to approach a writing service or an essay helper to polish the editing for you. But first, you should meet the word count.
Once you start with something, the words will start to flow. If you stop to edit in between, you can lose your train of thought and get stuck.
2. Work with an Outline
One of the common mistakes students make is thinking of writing as the first step. But when it comes to essays, the best approach is to start with an outline. This way, you already have a clear idea of what you have to write and in which direction you want to take the essay. You can even include the general ideas in the outline while you are at it.
Creating an outline can help you tremendously to get to the writing part. Since you already have worked out the thesis, you only have to shape your ideas on the paper.
3. Find a Writing Space
Depending on the topic, you might want to change your writing space a bit. For instance, if you are doing an analysis essay, you might need all the concentration. It is best to stick to your regular study desk and have the ideal setup. You should avoid all the distractions, such as your phone or a movie running in the background.
On the other hand, if your task is a narrative essay, you might be able to find inspiration somewhere else. Changing the location and observing those around you might help you get new ideas. Regardless, wherever you are, if something around you is causing more of a distraction than inspiration – it is best to keep them away.
4. Avoid Procrastination
This one is easier said than done. Whatever activity you take on, procrastination can get the best of you. But in the end, whether you do it today or tomorrow, you will have to do it yourself. It would benefit you, in the long run, to strengthen your willpower and keep the temptations at bay. Having more time on your hands will help you structure the essay better, instead of rushing through it when the deadline is upon you.
5. Read Something
Yes, it works, even for those who are not very keen on reading. For instance, if you are going through something that is related to your topic, it could spur a new idea in you or give you an opening for the essay. You can also try reading something when you are taking a short break, rather than watching a new video that will pull you down to the maze of unlimited videos.
6. Use Pomodoro Technique
When you sit down to write, you think it is a lengthy task that could last for hours. This can be one aspect that demotivates you from writing. Pomodoro technique goes like this:
- Work for a duration of 20 or 25 minutes,
- Take a short break of 5 minutes.
- Stick to this pattern until you complete four cycles.
- Take a long break of 30 minutes.
Using this technique will break up your task, give you some time to move around, and get back to work without deviating from it. There are dozens of Pomodoro apps with alarms available that will keep you on track.
7. Switch Between Subjects
When you stall out in the middle of writing an essay, change what you are working on. Switching to a new subject can help to refresh your thoughts. For instance, if you are tired of writing a Physics essay, try your hands at History during your break. This will allow you to maintain the momentum while forcing your brain to think of something else before you get started again.
8. Take Five to Move Around
One of the best remedies for lack of inspiration is to step away from your desk. Go out for a walk, a jog, or even do some exercise. A breath of fresh air can be magical to your body and brain that will let you tap into your creative outlets.
When inspiration hits, you can get back to your desk and start writing.
It can be tricky to find the motivation to write when you are absolutely not in the mood. However, as a student, you might not be at liberty to choose your own pace. Hopefully, these tricks can help you find the creative nudge you are looking for. The key is to do some preliminary work such as research or outline, and you will notice that essay writing feels much easier when you sit down to type.