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Overcoming
Writer's Block
* This page has been written
for those essay writers who have already selected an essay topic. If you are at
the very beginning stage of selecting an essay topic, please see our essay
topics selection web page.
High school
seniors repeatedly tell us that their biggest concern when attempting their
college applications is overcoming their fear of the blank page (or blank
screen). Too often they bring a lot of stress on themselves simply because they
do not know how to begin and they hear those admissions deadlines ticking.
Top 5
Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block
Here are
our top 5 tips to overcome writer's block and begin writing your admissions
essays:
-
Give
yourself a self-imposed deadline. Make it well short of the actual
application deadline for obvious reasons. We know how well most college
applicants write when they only have an hour to complete a paper.
-
Talk
out your "story". If you are self conscious about using a
friend for this, stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself about the
important person in your life, what matters most to you, or whatever else it
is you are trying to answer.
-
Get
away from your distractions. If you need quiet, go to the library. If
food is your biggest distraction, stay well clear of the refrigerator and
kitchen.
-
Start
anywhere. At this early stage, it doesn't matter if you start with your
ending, second most important point, etc. You understand how the inertia
works. Once you get started, you should be able to keep going.
-
Do
NOT worry about grammar. That will come later in the essay editing
portion of the timetable.
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