Good writing isn’t an inborn talent; it is a learned art. In academia, it is also one of the most usual activities. Writing facilitates the learning process and allows students to take a stance, develop their perspectives on various topics, and deliver ideas effectively.
Students have different skillsets when they start learning. Some are familiar with writing tasks, so they have the basic knowledge of writing and editing essays. Others approach writing with insecurity, anxiety, and hesitancy. They don’t know where to start, how to develop ideas, and, above all, how to finish the task correctly and on time. That’s why they often cry for help, asking,” who can help me with my assignment?”
Insecurity isn’t uncommon in school. Many learners find themselves somewhere between having writing skills and being unaware of how to survive writing tasks. Although they try to deal with essays individually, they often end up having unfinished essays. If you are one of such students, this survival guide will come in handy. It will help you become a better writer and make the entire writing process more pleasant and rewarding.
Complete the pre-writing stage
Oddly enough, students often have wrong attitudes toward writing. They think that renowned writers produce unparalleled papers quickly and easily.
As a result, their motivation plummets, especially when they can’t come up with worthy ideas on the first try. They also question their writing competence and think that something is wrong with them, and they are unable to compose good papers.
Remember that writing is an activity, and the more profoundly you are involved in it, the better outcomes you can expect. The following elements of the pre-writing stage will help you navigate your writing and make sure you don’t encounter writer’s block in the middle of your work.
Generating ideas
Perhaps, the lack of ideas is the most common trouble students face. They often can’t develop relevant concepts and compose a good essay on time. But there is a way to unlock their creativity and thinking. Brainstorming is a known strategy to approach the topic from different angles. Lots of brainstorming techniques exist, so everyone can choose the one that suits them the best.
Researching the field
Research is usually a part of assignment writing. Once you develop a stance, start learning more about the topic. The research will allow you to find relevant sources to back up your ideas and make your essay thought-provoking and, importantly, credible. When doing research and going through the literature, make sure you comprehend what you read.
Moreover, don’t forget to verify sources; ensure they are published by reliable publishing houses and the articles’ authors are well-known and competent. Also, keep in mind that sources should be updated, i.e., published within the last five years (you can include older articles when referring to original definitions).
Outlining the paper
Upon researching the subject and gathering the necessary data, finish the pre-writing stage by outlining the essay. An outline is a short plan containing key information about every paragraph. Having an outline will not only help you stay focused and productive, but you will also spend less time drafting the paper.
Make sure you are aware of the structure
Assignments may have a different structure. It is up to an educational institution which structure to enforce. Of course, in most cases, schools follow a typical format. For a standard, two-page essay, it is as follows:
- Introduction, including an opening, background information, and thesis statement
- Body part with a topic sentence, standpoint, claim, evidence, and conclusion
- Conclusion, consisting of a thesis reiteration, essential information, and call to action.
Before delving into writing, make sure to learn the requirements. Other than the word count, the paper’s structure also depends on the assignment’s type. For example, a research paper’s structure would differ from an argumentative essay’s structure significantly.
Creating the first draft
Once you complete the mentioned steps, you are ready to draft the paper. The first version of an essay is the backbone, showing what your paper might look like at the end. It also helps determine the draft’s strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind that the first draft does not need to be perfect. Focus on getting the job done and forget about apparent mistakes.
Watch your language
Academic writing must always be accurate. There is no place for vagueness, fuzziness, and ambiguity. To make your style academically appropriate, pay attention to these recommendations:
- Eliminate third person singular/plural
- Avoid slang
- Reduce the use of passive
- Avoid contractions
- Make your writing is diverse yet straightforward by including various grammar constructions and relevant synonyms
Document your sources
Don’t try to circumvent rules when taking information from outside sources. Failing to include sources may not get you caught plagiarizing content. Nonetheless, remember to be honest with yourself and refer to scholars every time you use authoritative sources. When citing sources, make sure you know what citation style to use.
Make use of digital tools
Editing can sometimes be challenging; seeing a number of mistakes may demoralize you, weakening your attention to detail. In such cases, use editing tools, like spell checkers. They will show you what you might have missed. You can also use website blockers to remain focused, and plagiarism detecting tools to ensure your paper is unique.
Needless to say, assignment writing is demanding. And at times, you will hit rock bottom, lacking ideas to build the paper. This doesn’t mean you should give up on the task. Instead of falling into this trap, continue to work on your writing. Provided tips will help you brush up on your skills.