5 challenges every beginner essay writer faces
Every student who has ever experienced the struggle to complete an essay knows that writing is not always easy. No matter how much you love to write, there will always be times when it feels like too much work and simply too overwhelming. The most challenging part about essay writing is knowing where to start, especially if you are stuck in the dreaded blank page syndrome. The five most common problems that beginner essay writers face when writing an essay, and tips to overcome them, are as follows:
1) You don't know
where to start or what to write about
This
is perhaps the most difficult hurdle for any student. When you begin an essay
without a clear idea of your direction, the result is usually a bunch of
disjointed ideas that don't really say much at all. In fact, it's possible your
essay could end up saying nothing at all.
The best way to get started is by brainstorming for 5-10 minutes, writing down every idea you have about the topic on paper without judgement. Writing everything you know about the topic will give you a better idea of what to focus on and how to approach your essay; as well as helping you avoid common essay pitfalls such as plagiarism, as it will make it easier for you to cite your references if needed.
2) You keep going
off-topic
If your paper has digressed to the point that your arguments don't support your thesis statement, you're not alone. Sometimes it isn't easy to know where to begin or end an essay. One of the best ways to avoid this common problem is by ensuring that every reference you include in your essay supports how they relate to your topic; if the reference doesn't relate to your topic, don't include it. Additionally, if you're struggling to stay on-topic while writing your essay, imagine that you are telling a friend the main points of what you need to say; this will help ensure that you stay on track regarding where and how your arguments are should be made.
3) Your essay is too
vague & unfocused
This
common problem can be easily remedied by making sure that your introduction and
conclusion are relevant to the topic you have chosen. For example, if you're
writing about abortion as an ethical dilemma, make sure that your introduction
includes the definition of terms that are essential to your argument, such as "women's
rights", "reproductive justice", etc.; and make sure that your
conclusion contains a summary of what you have discussed, why it is relevant to
your topic, and how you feel about the subject at hand. Additionally, if the
introduction doesn't lead into the body of your essay, or if the conclusion
leaves your reader wondering what you have to say about the topic at hand,
you're not alone. In both situations, it's best to re-write your introduction
and conclusion with a clear direction in mind.
4) You can't decide
how to structure your arguments
This is a common problem in any essay that requires more than one argument. For example, when writing an essay about the pros and cons of abortion, you'd need to structure your arguments such that each point you make relates to your thesis statement; this will help ensure that every reference you include supports how they relate to your topic at hand. Structuring your essay with a clear argument will also help ensure that you avoid common pitfalls such as plagiarism, as it will make it easier for you to cite references if needed.
5) You can't find
relevant research material on the topic
It's
difficult to write an exceptional paper on a topic that has no relevance or
connection to your life. In order to avoid this common problem, try searching
the library or online for 2-3 sources that are related to your topic. The more
you know about a topic, the easier it is to write an impressive paper on it.
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