How to start writing your essay easily & quickly

So you think you can’t write? Let’s get past some myths.

Myth #1 Writing is only for geniuses

Myth #2 Writing takes years of training.

Myth #3 You can’t write when you’re scared.

Myth #4 You don’t know what to write.

Myth #5 You know what to say, but not how to say it.

The words start, but then stop, for no reason. Myth #6

Myth #7 Your English skills are too poor to write.

Myth #8 You haven’t got time.

The idea is … … to calm down, get the question straight, and gather whatever seems relevant.

So here’s what you do: Take your pencil and paper for a walk.

While you’re walking: Jot.

What’s ‘jotting’? Scribbling every thought that comes to mind, in any order, until the thoughts stop.

Now go back to your workspace. Dump it all onto your screen, each thought on its own line.

If you haven’t got enough thoughts: Then you ‘research’. But it’s a lot like jotting.

Great! A bunch of piles! Now what?

Your piles need handles. Handles are for moving the piles around.

Start with the easiest one. Say what the pile generally says.

Where to put the handle … … on your screen system. … in your card system.

You’re getting ready to start writing! And notice, no writer’s block. (Nor will there be any.)

You’ve got a pile of information! But now what?

It’s time to make piles. You’re separating kinds of information.

A couple ways to do it: With cards. On your screen.

For really big projects: I use my living room floor.

Now stop. Don’t move the piles around. Don’t try to organize what’s in each pile.

Great! I’ve labelled all my piles Can’t I start writing now?.

Sure. Just do this first. Remember what the original question was. (Got it?)

Now look at your handles. Your handles, not your piles.

What do your handles agree on? Whatever order they happen to be in, your handles are all pointing to a general answer to the assigned question.

Take your time. What do they all seem to say? Whatever it is, that’s your essay’s point.

The rest is easy. Next, we’ll yank the piles into order – ‘handles’ remember? – and we’ll manufacture some high-speed words.

Still think you can’t write? It’s a system.

Find out more: http://www.academicessaywriting.org

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