Introduction to Writing (Galileo: Successful College Composition)

Analysis

a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something

Summary

a retelling of the most important parts of what was read.

Academic Analysis

an essay that takes apart a primary source part by part

Writer's Block

an inability to begin or continue writing

Follow Your Inspiration

begin by writing the section of the paper you feel best able to write. If you cannot start at the beginning, write the conclusion first, or begin writing the body of the paper. If you have an outline, you will already have the ideas and organization you need to write the body paragraphs

Writing Synthesis

combines two or more items to create an entirely new item

Verbalize Your Ideas

discuss your ideas with a classmate, friend or family member. You can gain new insights and confidence by hearing what others have to say about your topic and sharing your misgivings with them

Techniques to Overcome Writer's Block

don't procrastinate, try free writing without guilt, follow your inspiration, break the writing project into parts, review the assignment, verbalize your ideas, visualize a friendly audience, take a break, and change locations

Don't Procrastinate

give yourself as much time as possible to complete your assignment. Budget your time so you can write the assignment in sections and still have time to edit and revise. If you are in a timed writing situation, jot down ideas in a scratch outline and work from that

Visualize a Friendly Audience

imagine you are writing the paper to a friend or someone you know well. Often the fear of rejection paralyzes your ability to start writing, so removing that obstacle should enable you to write without inhibition

Try Freewriting Without Guilt

just start putting ideas down on paper. You don't need to worry about whether or not you are making spelling and grammatical errors; you shouldn't fret over organization. Keep in mind that you can always delete what you have written once your ideas begin to flow

Review the Assignment

reread the instructions for the assignment to make sure you understand what you are expected to write. Look for keywords that you can research to give you insight into your topic. Often discussing the assignment with your professor can give you the clarity you need to begin writing

Break the Writing Project Into Parts

think of the paper as a series of short sections. Sometimes you can be overwhelmed by the prospect of writing a ten-page research paper, but if you break it up into manageable pieces, the assignment does not seem so daunting

Change Locations

try moving to another area more conducive to your writing style. Some people write best in a noisy environment while others require a place with minimal distractions. Find what works best for you

Take a Break

try working on another writing project or switch to a completely different activity. Often if you get bogged down on one subject, thinking about something else for a while might clear your brain so you can come back to the original project with a new perspective. And getting up from the computer usually unclogs any mental blocks: take a walk, wash the dishes, or play with the dog