Writing essays can be a daunting task, especially when you have several assignments to complete within strict deadlines. Improving your essay writing productivity can help you meet deadlines and produce higher quality work with less stress. Here are some tips and strategies to help you write essays more efficiently:
Start Early and Set Milestones
One of the best ways to increase your essay writing productivity is to start brainstorming and writing your essay well in advance of the due date. Trying to cram an entire essay overnight will inevitably result in lower quality work and stress. Instead, set milestone deadlines to complete each part of the writing process. For example, set a date X number of days before it’s due to finish researching, a date to have the outline complete, a date for the first draft, and so on. Spreading the work out over time alleviates last minute stress while allowing you to refine your work.
Develop a Strong Outline
Before beginning your first draft, take time to carefully outline the major points and structure of your essay. An outline ensures your essay is logically organized and focuses on directly addressing the prompt. It also acts as a guide for your writing and research, making the actual drafting process more efficient. Clearly map out your introduction, thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion in the outline. Leave space to add evidence and quotes easily during drafting.
Conduct Efficient Research
Research is crucial for analytical, persuasive, and many other types of essays, but it can be time-consuming if not done efficiently. Set research goals for each session, such as finding 3 relevant sources. Learn to skim for main ideas instead of reading heavily. Take thorough bibliographic notes immediately on each source for easy citations later. Save sources to your writing software as you go. Prioritize quality, credible sources from library databases over general Google searches.
Use Outlining Software
For longer, more complex assignments, use outlining software like Microsoft OneNote to brainstorm, organize and take notes in a single digital workspace. Features like color-coding, linking, formatting and search makes brainstorming and developing cohesive outlines a breeze. You can also write drafts directly in the software to streamline the writing workflow. Many programs easily convert outlines to drafts with the click of a button.
Prepare Note Cards
Another invaluable pre-writing strategy is preparing individual notecards for each potential piece of evidence, quote or fact you want to include. Write the information or quote on one side and the citation on the other. Organize cards into numbered piles by paragraph. Then during drafting, easily incorporate evidence by number without interrupting your train of thought. This allows seamless integration of research into your prose.
Write in Blocks and Take Breaks
It’s simply not feasible or productive to write an entire lengthy essay in one sitting. Instead, break the writing process into smaller, more manageable blocks of 60-90 minutes each. After each block, take a 10-15 minute break to relax, recharge and walk away from the screen. Fresh eyes and a renewed brain will help you write with more clarity during subsequent blocks. Sticking to a routine of focused blocks and rest periods is healthier and lets you crank out more writing overall.
Revise as You Write
Don’t wait until the very end to revise your work. As you complete each paragraph or section during drafting, take a few minutes to reread with a critical eye before continuing. Tweak sentences for improved flow and clarity. Address any inconsistencies or areas needing more development before moving forward. This saves massive time revising a full first draft versus revising incrementally as you write each component. You’ll spend less effort catching every issue in one pass this way.
Use Templates and Style Guides
Save yourself wasted time reinventing the wheel each project. Create standardized templates in your writing software for things like title pages, outlines, bibliographies, etc. Keep templates updated with your school’s formatting preferences. Additionally, refer to your program or style guide’s writing and citation standards while researching and drafting to save corrections later. Following conventions consistently maximizes efficiency and readability.
Review Requirements Thoroughly
Before beginning, take time to carefully analyze the assignment requirements and rubric. Note things like word count, formatting details, submission instructions, topics that must be addressed, the assessed standards, and so on. Understanding expectations fully avoids wasting effort on unnecessary components or getting points deducted for rule violations. Seek clarification from your professor on any grey areas beforehand if needed.
Have Someone Else Proofread
No matter how thoroughly you revise, it’s always a good idea to have a classmate, tutor or friend proofread your final draft before submission. A fresh set of eyes is more likely to catch little grammar, spelling, formatting and flow issues you may have overlooked during your own revisions. Proofreading partnerships can also help hold each other accountable to deadlines. Return the favor for classmates when you can to spread the benefits.
Managing your time and utilizing these pre-writing, writing and revision strategies can greatly improve your essay productivity without sacrificing quality. With efficient planning and an organized process, writing essays doesn’t need to be such a daunting chore. Starting assignments early allows room for trial and refinement versus stressful last minute efforts. Consistently applying these techniques each project leads to better honed writing skills as well.
Andrew Stroud