Typing essays on an iPad can be a convenient and portable way to work on school assignments or other writing projects. With the right iPad apps and keyboard accessories, you have everything you need to write, edit, and format multi-page documents right in your hands. Here are some tips for getting set up and mastering essay writing directly on your iPad.
Choose the Right Writing App
There are many different writing and word processing apps available for the iPad, but not all are equally suited for long-form writing like essays. Look for an app that enables various formatting features like styled text, indentation control, pagination, references/footnotes, and version tracking. Some top choices for essay writing on iPad include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Pages, Docs To Go, and iA Writer. Try the free versions first to see which interface and features you prefer before potentially upgrading to a paid version.
Invest in an External Keyboard
While the on-screen keyboard works in a pinch, it’s quite small and can be slow and frustrating for formatting essay-length documents. Consider purchasing a Bluetooth keyboard that pairs easily with your iPad. Some great portable options include Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Logitech’s K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth keyboard, and the Brydge Pro+ keyboard case that doubles as physical protection for your iPad. A full-size physical keyboard will make your writing process much smoother and help avoid finger/wrist fatigue.
Download Useful Apps for Research
When writing essays, you’ll likely need to conduct research to support your key points. Download reference manager apps like Zotero or Mendeley to easily import, annotate, organize, and cite research sources as you write. There are also digital notetaking apps like Noteshelf and Notability that allow you to take notes directly on PDFs or web pages for later reference in your essay. Having these kinds of helpful research and notetaking tools on your iPad streamlines the entire writing process.
Save Regularly in Multiple Locations
No matter how diligent you are, there’s always a risk of document corruption or hardware failure when writing solely on a mobile device. Make sure to frequently save your work in progress—at minimum after each writing/editing session, but more often as you go if possible. Consider syncing your document to cloud storage like Dropbox, iCloud, or Google Drive so it automatically backs up in real-time. You can also email drafts to yourself for an additional backup option. Multiple automatic saves ensure you never lose significant work.
Learn Keyboard Shortcuts
While writing on an iPad, keyboard shortcuts can help you work faster and more efficiently. Take some time to familiarize yourself with common shortcuts like copy/cut/paste (command+c, x, v), formatting (command+b for bold, i for italics), changing fonts, spellcheck, and searching/replacing text. Many apps also allow customizing or changing shortcut keys. Mastering a few core shortcuts will improve your workflow a great deal versus tapping menus each time.
Utilize iPad Multitasking
Another way to streamline your writing is by taking advantage of the iPad’s multitasking abilities. For example, you can hover or split your screen to have your word processor on one half and research materials or notes on the other. This enables quick referencing without leaving your document. You can also pop-out additional apps in Slide Over mode for fast access things like a research app, dictionary, or thesaurus as needed. Mastering iPad multitasking makes writing and editing feel much more seamless.
Format for Printing or Email
When your essay is complete, you’ll need to share or submit it. Apps like Pages and Word have built-in formatting tools to optimize your document for print or email. Things to check include page size, margins, headers/footers, line spacing, font sizes, table/image formatting, pagination, and permissions/digital signature before printing or attaching to an email. Test that formatting looks as intended across different devices. You may also want to save a formatted PDF version in addition to the editable source file.
Take Breaks and Proofread Carefully
Finally, be sure to take periodic breaks when writing long-form essays to avoid eye strain or burnout. Walk around, do some light exercise, or take a few deep breaths to refresh your mind. It’s also crucial to proofread thoroughly before submitting. Have someone else read it over too if possible for a second pair of eyes on errors. Catching small mistakes will elevate the quality and professionalism of your final essay.
With the right planning, accessories, document management techniques, and focus on ergonomics, writing multi-page essays and reports directly on an iPad is entirely feasible. Following these iPad essay writing tips will help you produce high-quality papers from anywhere conveniently. Just be sure to start assignments early to account for any learning curves along the way of mastering productivity on your iPad.