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Concentration: 22 ways to help you focus on writing

Embed these 22 tips on how to focus on writing into your life and watch your productivity soar. We cover how to concentrate and achieve flow.

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How I focus on writing 

To be a great writer, you have to be able to concentrate. It’s not the only thing you’ll need, but it’s certainly a good start!

It sounds simple enough, but a lot of us (myself included) often struggle to stay on-task.

I’m writing this post to share some of the habits and techniques that have (sometimes) helped me to improve my own concentration. And yes, I know that some of them are contradictory. That’s the ‘sometimes’.

In any case, I hope you find the following 22 tips useful, especially if you're gearing up for a big writing push, like for the annual  NaNoWriMo  (or the  poetry equivalent ). That's a whole lot of concentrating! 

Without further ado, here are my secrets to staying focused:

1. Get in the flow

Psychologists describe a powerful form of concentration called ' flow '. It happens when someone concentrates and is fully engaged with what they are doing. (See the Wikipedia  definition .) When you’re writing like this, writing fluently comes naturally.

We all recognise this state. “Time flies when you’re having fun” is one version. Meditation is, perhaps, another version. If you play sports or video games and you find yourself ‘at one’ with what you’re doing, that’s another. All these mental states require concentration.

2. Multitasking doesn't work

Conversely, failure to concentrate can be very unproductive. In fact,  multitasking makes us stupid . People who think they are good at multitasking aren’t, according to  researchers at Stanford University. That’s you and me, dear reader.

3. Accept your distractions

You will get distracted. Your mind will wander. You won’t want to get started. Accept it. The trick is to stand back and notice your brain doing these things. When it happens, stand back from yourself. Notice the distraction. Name the monster. Gently remind yourself that you’re trying to concentrate, and it will be easier to return your focus to your work.

4. Use a concentration timer

I like using meditation timers when I write. A little bell every five minutes helps remind me to put my focus back onto my writing if my mind has wandered.

5. Go somewhere else

Do you write a bit more neatly when you get a new pen? Change can be beneficial, even if the effect is temporary. Sometimes a change of location (go to the park, Starbucks, the Kitchen – anywhere but here) or a change of method (use a quill, a pencil, a typewriter, a different word processor, Linux, smoke signals) can help.

6. Stay where you are

I’m always getting up and going somewhere to get something or do something. To counter this tendency, I keep scrap paper (recycled A4 printer paper cut in half) by my desk and scribble reminders. Then back to the writing.

7. Write at a different time

I write best if I get up early. (See ‘ How I trained myself to get up earlier in the morning ’ for more on that.) Just changing your routine can be helpful, so try waking up a little earlier. It also feels more virtuous than staying up late with work.

8. Write to a schedule

When I have a busy week laden with deadlines, I block out time for my work in Microsoft Outlook. This helps me allocate time and measure progress on longer-term projects and ensure that I have enough time to do all the work I planned. Other people find it helpful to determine their most productive writing-time and stick to it.

9. Morning pages

I have to admit that I haven’t tried Julia Cameron’s technique for unblocking your creativity, but other people – including my wife – swear by it. It involves writing in a stream of consciousness first thing every day.

10. Switch off distractions

Turn off your radio, TV, shut the door, close your email program, put your phone on mute, close unnecessary tabs (stop working on your own blog!) and use a  distraction-free word processor . Full-screen your writing software. The more you can do to stop distractions before they happen and allow you to focus on writing, the better.

11. Tame your muse

Your muse works for you, not the other way around. Think of it as a recalcitrant employee. Give it deadlines, tell it to show up for work at a fixed time every day, give it feedback and praise, and define what you expect from it.

12. Seek inspiration

Lots of people praise walking or running as a source of inspiration. The best advice I ever had was from my history tutor at Oxford – keep a notebook with you at all times, because you never know when you will have a good idea.

13. Quantify

Use word count to set goals – 500 words and then a break, for example. Track writing output over time in a spreadsheet. Use a platform like  Joe’s Goals to keep track of habits in the long term. Some people, like me, are highly motivated by a sense of progress.

14. Silence

External noise can break your concentration. Try noise cancelling headphones (I use Bose), music (see ‘ Music for working ’), silent PC (see ‘ Tools for writing: Silent PCs ’) or ear plugs.

15. Meditate to develop concentration and calmness

I find it helpful to meditate a little before I start work. It’s not easy for me, but when I do it I find it really helps. I sit cross-legged in a quiet room and count my breaths.  The Headspace app  or Calm may be a helpful place to start. (See our post on apps for mental wellbeing for more)

I like tea (See ‘ Tools for writing: A nice cup of tea ’). Other people prefer cigarettes, Jaffa cakes - whatever. I would just be wary of too many sugary treats, because they could cause a sugar crash later on – you end up borrowing energy from yourself. Try healthier snacks like fruit or nuts to keep your energy levels steady throughout the day.

17. Punishment

Try  Write or Die if you really want to light a fire under yourself. If you don’t keep writing, it starts deleting what you have already written! This is brilliant for writing to deadlines, but potentially painful.

18. Shame and greed

Instead of running a 26-mile marathon, aim to write 26,000 words and get your friends to sponsor you for charity. If you fail to do it, you won’t raise any money and you’ll feel bad. Nothing like social pressure to keep you at the keyboard. Alternatively (and if it applies to you) remind yourself that you’re getting paid for what you write, might not get paid again if it’s late.

19. Buddy writing

Working with a friend, even over an open Skype line, can encourage concentration, providing you both have the same work habits. Somehow the peer pressure keeps you both working hard. It’s also an antidote to the potential loneliness of the long-distance writer.

20. Chunking

Write for 45 minutes, take a 15-minute break. Repeat. That's how you go from nothing to  starting a blog  AND finishing it. The Pomodoro Timer is a good place to start for this approach to productivity.

21. Don’t worry

Editing is not writing. Don’t let your mental self-editor get in the way of the super-productive copywriter in you. Learning how to write well is accepting that your first draft might not be perfect. Leave notes to yourself in your text – fact-check, tidy up, rewrite, condense. The important thing is to keep writing now and edit later.

This is a special case of ‘Don’t worry.’ If there’s something you don’t know, don’t stop to look it up. Just put TK in the text. It means ‘to come [later]’. For example, ‘When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in TK DATE, he didn’t expect to meet little green men.’ Fill in the blanks later. TK is easy to search for because it doesn’t occur often in everyday writing. (There are a few exceptions, such as the band Outkast.)

Bonus: Rock and river

Water is soft and rocks are hard, but a river can defeat a rock with patience and constant effort over time. I think it’s the same with writing. A little every day beats a lot once a year. If you keep this in mind, concentrating for a short period every day becomes easier.

Leave a hook to get you started

When you  finish writing each day , try to leave a few notes in your text to help you get started the next day. This will make it easier to overcome inertia and re-engage with the work.

I hope you've enjoyed these tips, and that they help you on your way to writing stardom. Don’t forget us when you’re a famous author.

Like anything, concentration comes down to preparation. If you can set yourself up to enter a concentrated mindset, you'll be able to concentrate. As the Scouts say, 'always be prepared'.

[Originally published in 2009, this has been updated in 2020]

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When You Write

How to Stay Focused While Writing

Staying focused sounds simple, but for most of us, it isn’t. I, for one, love writing but I also often struggle to stay focused.

“The spirit is willing but the flesh weak.”

I know that failing to stay focused is one of my worst writing demons, but I also know staying focused is essential for anyone in this writing profession or any other profession.

I don’t think you landed on this page accidentally. You probably have the same problem—and you want to find ways around it.

You’ve landed on the perfect post. I made this post to share some of the tips and techniques that a lot of people (including me) use to gain, improve, and maintain focus while writing.

Let’s get started!

The Importance of Maintaining Focus When Writing

The truth is: staying focused is more than necessary in every serious endeavor one undertakes—you can’t expect results if you’re not invested in whatever task you’re involved in.

For you to create a masterpiece, you have to stay on track and always make sure that regardless of the circumstances, you are getting some work done.

If anybody asked “how they could become a successful writer,” my answer would be: “staying focused is how you do it.”

It is as simple as that!

It’s all about how bad you want success. Do you want to get published? Impress your boss with a neat, well-cooked report? Do you want to pass your academic assignment perhaps?

In line of work, especially creative work, staying focused will get you far.

How to Build Focus to Write

For you to maintain focus, you need to have that focus already, right? You have to have some strategies to summon that focus—and, I have to say, some are contradictory but it’s because you can’t do all of them at the same time and the context should always be considered.

Here are some tips on how you can build your focus to write:

1. Start Free Writing

Freewriting is a simple concept: what one does is set a timer and jot down whatever is on their mind for 5-10 minutes. You can write about random issues, associated things in a particular topic, or write about an idea.

The idea is that when you’re freewriting, you’re also offloading some of your thoughts, feelings, or anything that could have been blocking you from writing.

To utilize this method, writers write about three pages of freewriting each morning or shortly after waking up.

2. Plan ahead

I previously wrote about Pantsers vs. plotters and in that article, I covered the advantages and disadvantages of each habit. One of the disadvantages of being a panther is getting stuck when your story starts to lack direction. When you get to a point where you’re out of ideas because you didn’t plan ahead, your focus dips. To circumvent this problem, you have to plan ahead—and you don’t necessarily have to have your plans in writing.

A lot of writers complain about not having enough time for planning, but it doesn’t have to be a very elaborate plan or plot. You can think about a character’s backstory while driving to work or contemplate some plot twists and structure during your lunch break.

Luckily, we have notes apps and you can add notes to your plot on your phone, which is something I find convenient when a computer or pen and paper aren’t nearby.

3. Meditate

On the list of probable causes of writer’s block is a clouded mind, the chaos in your mind might be making you lack focus. Is there a better way to calm your mind than meditation?

There are a lot of writers who use meditation to quiet the mind and build focus. And the good thing is that, nowadays, you don’t need to consult a guru or an instructor to practice meditation, you can just download an app and follow the instructions.

Plus… meditation can help you deal with other kinds of stress not related to writing.

4. Set Writing Goals

To gain focus, you need motivation, and setting a goal can help you set a game mentality that demands focus. You can set daily, weekly, or monthly goals—and you can also choose among word counts, pages, or chapters .

Of course, you won’t be able to meet this goal but it’s the effort that matters because you will eventually finish your manuscript if you keep adding meat to it. Just make sure you set realistic and, preferably, small goals that will help you build your confidence.

5. Change Your Location

New things—no matter how substandard they might be—have the power to inspire people. Take for example, a new soccer coach coming to a club from a sharp dip in form, the team usually becomes a bit more energetic.

This also applies to writing, your focus could be improved just by buying a new pen, a new laptop, or a change of location.

It doesn’t have to be a permanent move, you can change your location temporarily, for an hour or two, or even a day. Go to the park, a café, or the library—anywhere comfortable enough for you.

10 Ways to Stay Focused While Writing

1. minimize distractions.

Established writers know they will get distracted, that’s a given, and you can’t completely get rid of them all.

Whatever you’re doing, your mind tends to wander about into an unknown cosmos and before you know it, you’ve lost track of whatever you were doing.

You have to accept that there will be distractions and have to take stock of these distractions—mark every one of these and decide on the best way to deal with them. Once you take notice of these weaknesses, you are better equipped to deal with them and stay focused.

If you happen to realize that it’s your phone and computer that are the biggest sources of distractions, you can use apps to help you stay away from online distractions. There are a lot of apps that let you list the websites and apps you want to block, and they’ll be unavailable when you want to write.

2. Use music

Music is good for building and maintaining focus while writing, but I must also point out that it’s not for everybody.

For some, it’s a distraction, but for others, it’s a productivity-inducing thing.  Properly set up your workspace and complement it with smooth, relaxing ambient sounds that will help you heighten your concentration.

The trick is having music that fits well in the background and does have content or lyrics that will be distractive. A lot of my friends use classical music, some use white noise, and others have told me that it’s Jazz—as for me, anything goes.

3. Bribe Yourself

The human mind and body work better when they are given rewards, so give yourself some treats.

Food comes to mind for me. Reward yourself with something that you can eat or drink in between writing sessions. I usually reserve sugary treats or heavy carbohydrates to the end because I just don’t want to be dealing with an unnecessary sugar crash.

4. Join a Writing Sprint

The concept of a writing sprint is pretty straightforward: You and fellow writers come together (face to face or online) and agree on a focused period of writing, sit down and write throughout the agreed time.

Writing sprints are efficient because the only time you waste is when you’re exchanging pleasantries, which, if you set strict rules, don’t consume a lot of time.

So, writing sprints are a great way to help you regain or maintain focus and speed up your writing process.

That’s not all; at the end of the writing session, you can share writing-related stuff, i.e., things you’ve accomplished thus far and the challenges you’ve encountered.

If you’ve been solo, try to find writing groups or people you can do writing sprints with. And the beauty of modern times is that you don’t have to be in the same geographical area to do a writing sprint, you can have a writing sprint during a zoom call.

5. Don’t Edit As You Go

If you’re trying to be perfect, don’t! No one cares whether your first draft is perfect or not, and neither should you.

It’s a waste of time and you’ll probably get stuck because a lot of things will seem out of place.

What should you do then?

All you need to do is write as many words as you can (fill your paper or screen, which canvas you have, just paint!).

Neither should you edit as you write nor on your breaks. Rather, schedule ample time after you’re done writing your draft and get your blue-penciling mojo and edit, edit, edit!

6. Find a Focused Writing Buddy

When I was in college, I used to force myself to read by going to the library with a no-nonsense friend.

Whenever I started my playful antics they always had some harsh words for me, and they quickly put me back in a focused mode.

This can also work for you, all you need is someone who is gung-ho about finishing their writing project. Word of advice, don’t go overboard with your annoying playfulness, they might just label you as a distraction and avoid you, and never want to write with you.

7. Don’t Multitask

Not only does multitasking lead to inefficiency, but it’s also bad for creativity. I see people always boasting that they are good at multitasking, but the truth of the matter is creativity requires total engrossment.

It’s either you want to write or do the other task.

8. Employ a ‘Marshal’

Have someone check if you’re achieving your writing goals or objectives, you can pay them for doing that and—to make their role more relevant to you—promise to pay them some amount if they find out that you’re accomplishing the goals you set.

This adds a little bit of necessary pressure and motivates you to write because the capitalist in you doesn’t want to lose any money or whatever bonus you promised ‘the marshal.’

9. Work Smarter, Not Harder

I always say that writing is one of the hardest things ever—it’s a lot of work. But, it’s a bit harder when “keep your nose to the grindstone.”

Instead of unceasingly beavering away, you can have shorter, ordered, and rhythmic writing sessions. When you take breaks, your body relaxes and your mind is uncluttered, and you can think about what or where your story, essay, the blog post is heading to.

Writing in short sessions that are rapid will help maintain your writing focus and also make the work look simple.

You can develop your own technique, but I advise you to try the Pomodoro technique, a tried and tested method of increasing writing productivity. The Pomodoro technique splits up your writing sessions into 25-minute bursts, with 3-5 minute respites and a longer one after every four short sessions or Pomodoros in short.

10. Look for New Inspiration

If you depend on something for inspiration during writing but you still end up losing focus, then you need something new for inspiration.

Is music no longer working for you? Do those long walks no longer have an impact on your focus?

Maybe you need to find a different source of inspiration.

Traveling to a place you’ve never been to is the best thing you can do when you feel uninspired. And, never forget to have with you a notebook or any device you can use for note-taking because when you go to a new place, it’s a guarantee that a story or two will pop up from somewhere unexpectedly.

It’s Time to maintain that Focus and Get Published

Inspiration and staying focused work hand in hand, you cannot stay focused if you’re uninspired.

Always try to nourish your inspiration before and during a writing session—before starting, you need a spark and during writing, you need to keep the creative juices flowing.

Do whatever keeps your focus levels high, use music, meditate, join a writing sprint, travel, or give yourself some treats.

Recommended Reading...

Best music for writing – be more focused and productive, what is the iceberg theory, why do authors use pen names, how to motivate yourself to write: write that book now.

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© 2024 When You Write

Maintaining Your Focus

To focus your writing, you'll need to know how to narrow your focus, so you don't overwhelm your readers with unnecessary information. Knowing who your readers are and why you are writing will help you stay focused.

A Definition of Focus

Kate Kiefer, English Department, Composition Director 1992 -1995 The focus of the text is also referred to as its thesis, theme, controlling idea, main point. In effect, writers tell readers what territory they plan to cover. That's the focus. A focus can be very narrow--as when a photographer takes a close-up of one mountain flower--or it can be broad --as when the photographer takes a long-range shot of the mountain. In practical writing, the focus is often specified for the writer by the "occasion" for the writing.

In their discussions of focus, writers may use a number of terms: main point, thesis, theme, position statement, and controlling idea. What these terms have in common—and what focus is really all about—is informally known as sticking to the point.

Sticking to the point involves having a clear idea of what you want to write and how you want to write about your topic. While you write, you'll want to keep in mind your supporting details to help your readers better understand your main point.

Coordinating all the aspects of your paper requires you to make each part work with the whole. Imagine your writing is a symphony orchestra in which one out of tune instrument will ruin the sound of the entire performance.

How Audience and Purpose Affect Focus

All readers have expectations. They assume what they read will follow a logical order and support a main idea. For instance, an essay arguing for a second skating rink for hockey players should not present cost figures on how expensive new uniforms have become.

Your audience and writing purpose will help you determine your focus. While it may seem obvious to include certain details, your audience may require specific information. Further, why you are writing will also affect what information you present.

Michel Muraski, Journalism and Technical Communication By articulating the problem, you give yourself focus. You must have done your audience analysis to have asked the question, "What kinds of information does the audience need? What are they going to do with it? Are they going to use it to further their research? Are they going to use it to make a decision?" Once you've identified your audience and what they're going to do with your information, you can refine your problem statement and have a focus. It's a necessary outcome.

Different audiences require different ways of focusing. Let's look at a proposal for a second ice rink in town for hockey players only.

Audience One: City Council

This audience will want to know why another ice rink is necessary. They will need to know how practice hours were shortened due to increases in open skate and lesson hours. They will need to know about new hockey teams forming within the community and requiring practice and game time on the ice. They should also be informed of how much money is made from spectators coming to view the games, as well as of any funding raised by existing hockey teams to help support a new rink. Every detail they read should support why city council should consider building a new rink.

Audience Two: Hockey Coaches and Players

This audience should be informed of the need for a new rink to inspire their support, but chances are they already know of the need. Ultimately, they will want to know what is required of them to get a new rink. How much time will they need to donate to fundraising activities and city council meetings? In addition, they will want to know how they will benefit from a new rink. How will practice hours be increased? Every detail they read should inform them of the benefits a new rink would provide.

Steve Reid, Composition Director 1973-1977 and 1994-1996 Focus, for me, is a term we borrowed from photography. This means we narrow something down to a very sharp image. First, it's a notion of narrowing to something, but also, it's a notion of sharpness and clarity. Focus is one of the things that clarifies purpose. So once we get a sense of thesis, that helps illuminate the photography image, illuminate what the overall purpose of the paper is.

Your purpose is why you are writing about your topic. Different purposes require different ways of focusing. Let's look at a proposal for a second ice rink in town for hockey players only.

Purpose One: Arguing

Proposing a new ice rink to city council members would require convincing them the rink was necessary and affordable. You would need to acknowledge reasons for and against the rink.

Purpose Two: Informing

Informing fellow hockey coaches and players about a new rink would require telling them of the steps being taken to achieve a new rink. This audience most likely knows most of the issues, so selling them on the idea probably won't be necessary. Give them the facts and let them know what they can do to help.

Don Zimmerman, Journalism and Technical Communication Department Typically, when I'm writing a report for a person out there, I provide them with the information they need to either increase their knowledge or make a decision. When I talk about focus, I really mean targeting. Here's an example. This comes out of a trade magazine. In Nursing '96 , you'll find articles written by nurses for other nurses. They will generally open with essentially two or three paragraphs. They will say, "You know, here is the problem I had as a nurse in this setting." They tend to set them in what I would consider, soap opera-ish kinds of settings. They set up a real life situation with real people. In other words, "I went into Sally's room and discovered she'd thrown all the covers off the bed and she was sweating profusely." the article goes on to describe what it was. Then it will come back and say, "Here's the problem. Now we've had a number of patients who did this kind of activity, and we found they fell out of bed. To minimize those injuries, here are three things we've done." Then they will give you the summary and then they will elaborate those procedures. That's very targeted. Targeting influences the kind of language used. This means the nurses in the hospital are dealing with "X" kind of patient and "X" kinds of situation. This means a lot of terms and terminology are used. The other nurses reading about this will understand it because of their interest in that topic; it's going to fit them.

Narrowing Your Focus

Writers who cover too much about a topic often overwhelm their readers with information. Take, for example, an essay focused on the tragedies of the Civil War. What tragedies? Readers have no idea what to expect from this focus, not to mention how difficult it would be to write about every tragedy of the Civil War.

After writers choose a topic to write about, they need to make sure they are not covering too much nor too little about a topic. The scope of a focus is partially dictated by the length of the writing. Obviously, a book on the Civil War will cover more than a 500 word essay. Finally, focus is also determined by its significance, that is, its ability to keep readers' interest.

What It Means to be Focused

Donna Lecourt, English Department What it means to be "focused" changes from discipline to discipline. Say for example, in literature, my "focus" comes through a novel. I want to write about Henry James's Turn of the Screw . On one hand it could come through theory. I want to do a feminist analysis and Henry James's Turn of the Screw just happens to be the text I apply it to, or I might add another text. I might just approach a novel and say, "Okay. Everybody's read it in these ways before. Here's yet another way to read it." I don't have to show that I'm adding to, in some ways, I can show I'm distinguishing or coming up with something new. What my "focus" is, is determined disciplinarily as well as by my purpose. Another example would be a typical research report where a "focus" is what's been done before because that determined what an experiment was going to be about. And so, in some ways, you're not coming up with your own "focus" the way in English, in some ways, you can. You have to look at "X," "Y," and "Z" studies to see what was done on this topic before you can prove your point. Focus comes out of what was achieved before. You have to link what you're doing to previous research studies which is a requirement of a lot of research reports.

Focus is Too Broad

Michel Muraski, Journalism and Technical Communication The biggest conceptual shift in most students is having too broad of a statement and literally finding everything they ever knew about this topic and dumping it into a term paper. They need to consider what they write a pro-active document: a document that's going to be used by a specified audience for a specified reason about a specific area of that broader topic.

Kate Kiefer, English Department, Composition Director 1992 -1995 A broad focus looks easier for students, but it turns out that a narrow focus is generally easier. General articles and essays with a broad focus require lots of background information and a pretty clear sense of the readers' goals in reading the piece. Otherwise, writing with a broad focus tends to result in pretty boring prose. Most academic writing requires a narrow focus because it's easier to move from that into the specific supporting detail highly valued in the academic community.

A broad focus covers too much about a topic. It never discusses the fine details necessary to adequately present a topic and keep readers' interest. A good way to narrow a broad topic is to list the subcategories of the topic. For example, two subcategories of Civil War tragedies are:

• The breakdown of families as a result of divided loyalties.
• How the small details of battle strategies affected the outcome of the war.

When you list subcategories, be careful not to narrow your topic too much, otherwise you won't have enough to write about it.

Focus is Too Narrow

A narrow focus covers too little about a topic. It gets so close to the topic that the writer cannot possibly say more than a few words. For example, writing about gender interactions in one of your classes is too narrow. You can use your class to make a point about gender interactions, but chances are, you'll find nothing specific in the library about your particular class. Instead, you might look at gender interactions in group settings, and then use your class as an example to either agree or disagree with your research. Be careful not to make your focus too broad as a result.

As you refine your focus, check to see if you pass the "So What?" test. To do so, you should know who will read what you write. Readers have to care about your topic in order to continue reading, otherwise they may look at what you have written and respond "So what?" You need to determine what readers need to stay interested in your writing. Ask yourself why readers will be interested in your specific topic. Is it significant enough to hold their attention? Why or why not?

Citation Information

Stephen Reid and Dawn Kowalski. (1994-2024). Maintaining Your Focus. The WAC Clearinghouse. Colorado State University. Available at https://wac.colostate.edu/repository/writing/guides/.

Copyright Information

Copyright © 1994-2024 Colorado State University and/or this site's authors, developers, and contributors . Some material displayed on this site is used with permission.

How to gain & keep focus for writing

Our ability to focus is a precious resource. And in this distracted world, it’s becoming increasingly rare. There are too many things pulling at our attention: too many articles to read, too many talks and seminars, too many topics to think about… But as scientists, we need to concentrate deeply to advance our research — and to write up our findings clearly and effectively. So what can you do when your mind refuses to settle in and focus on the work at hand? Below you will find a tried and proven *minimal* approach how you can gain focus — and keep it throughout the day.

Yesterday was not a productive day for me. In the morning I sat down at my desk, and instead of writing an article I started to reply to emails, look up random things on the internet, then cleaned something in the kitchen, chatted with some friends on social media, ate a snack, discovered some new emails and got new ideas that needed to be checked online…

I was going in circles like this almost the whole day. Many times I opened the empty document intended for my article… but could not force myself to actually write anything. I did not have a clear picture of what exactly I was going to write, I did not know how to start — and I could not focus and cut through the brain fog.

I was surprised by this state — I haven’t had a bad day like this in ages. After lunch I sat down to meditate, to clear my head and get it under my control. As I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on my breath, a thousand pictures and words were jumping on me from all sides.

And I understood what was the problem: the day before I spent the whole evening on the couch, “binge consuming” news & social media. Then, as I woke up in the morning, I automatically grabbed my phone and before I knew it, it was an hour later. And all these images, words, and emotions got stuck in my head, spinning in the background, and luring me from my demanding work into shiny worlds of distraction.

It is hard to focus when you start your day with distraction. It clutters your mind with exciting, beautiful, or troublesome images that are optimized for not letting you go.

This is usually not a problem for easy tasks (which don’t require your full concentration) or exciting tasks (which engage your full attention easily). During my PhD, for example, I could format my manuscript according to journal guidelines or program and run simulations even when I was spending my mornings (and lunch breaks) on news & social media sites.

However, (scientific) writing is different. It requires your full attention, as you are juggling your ideas, searching for the right words, and trying to guess whether your readers will understand what you mean. (Not to mention the troubles when you try to improve your text as you write it .)

How to gain focus for writing

If you find it hard to focus on your thesis or manuscript, try a little experiment during the next days:

• Reserve your mornings for writing. If you can’t reserve the whole morning, an hour or two will do as well. Even when you consider yourself a “night owl”, I suggest you give this a try: in the morning, our head is fresh and the potential to focus the highest. Unless… and here we come to the second point:
• Don’t go to online distractions before your morning writing session is completed. Don’t check any news or social media sites in the morning. No blogs, no articles, no insta chat with friends. Ideally, also don’t check your email. If needed, just glance quickly over your inbox to see whether there are any emergencies, but don’t engage with the messages if it’s not necessary. Resisting the temptation for update and distraction in the morning will be easier if you:
• Refrain from computer and phone during the last hour or two before you go to bed. Instead, you can read a book, listen to a podcast, talk to your partner, play a game with your flatmates, do some calming (yoga) exercises, write into your diaries, etc.

Avoiding online distractions late in the evening and in the morning helps to clear your head during the night and start the day off fresh, with a focused mind that is not running away from difficult tasks. Moreover, refraining from the blue screen light in the evening makes you sleep tight, so that you wake up well-rested and ready to tackle the challenging tasks — like writing your thesis 🙂

I followed this plan yesterday evening and this morning. And the difference in my concentration is enormous: there are no impulsive ideas, no urges to go do something else… I am calmly sitting at my desk and writing this article.

Do you need to revise & polish your manuscript or thesis but don’t know where to begin?

Get your Revision Checklist

Click here for an efficient step-by-step revision of your scientific texts.

Block online distractions with an app

Fortunately, there are apps out there that can support our limited willpower and help us stay away from online distractions. These apps let you specify the websites you want to block and when you want to block them.

For my laptop, I am currently using Leechblock that is available for Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and other Chromium-based browsers such as Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi. It allows me to block selected websites during certain hours (for example, in the mornings when I want to focus on my important work) but there is also the possibility to set a time limit (like 10 minutes) for the selected websites and the app will block them for the rest of the day after I have spent the defined time on them. I also love the additional feature of preventing the access to the settings during active times when I’m blocking some websites. It’s great to avoid cheating, but it can also lead to difficult situations when you do need to access some of the blocked sites. My favorite workaround: keep 5 minutes of unblocked time every hour (XX:00-XX:05), to keep the possibility to change the settings if the situation requires it.

StayFocusd is a similar app for Chrome that has the additional (optional) feature of presenting you with a challenge (re-typing some text about procrastination :D) before you are allowed to change your settings.

If you work on Mac, you could try one of the popular distraction-blocking apps SelfControl or Focus .

After the blocking app on my computer proved to be a great productivity tool, I knew I needed something similar also for my phone. However, I have not found an app (yet) that would allow to block individual websites. What is possible is to block individual apps. So I am now using AppBlock on my android phone, blocking my web browser and few other apps when I am supposed to focus and work hard, but don’t feel like it. It has the function of preventing me from changing the settings while the app-blocking is active — and I use this function a lot 😉

Another similar app is Offtime that is available for android as well as iphone.

Troubleshooting

This is not a spiritual meditation — it’s one where you concentrate on your breath to calm down your mind. That’s all. And it works!

Here’s how it goes:

• Set a timer for 10 minutes so that you don’t need to worry about the time.
• Prepare a pen and paper so that you can take a brief note if something important pops into your mind that you don’t want to forget.
• Sit down in a comfortable position. Sitting cross-legged or in other position where your feet are close to your buttocks is best, as you effectively cut your height by half, which makes it easier for your heart to pump enough blood to your brain. This alone helps with concentration!
• Close your eyes and start noticing your breath. Feel how the body tension increases as you inhale, and decreases when you exhale. For a couple of breaths, focus on the exhalation and use it to consciously relax your body and mind (a bit 😉 ).
• Now move your attention to your nostrils. Feel the cool sensation at your nostrils as you inhale, and observe the difference in your sensation as you exhale.
• Keep your full attention at your nostrils, observing the sensations due to breathing.
• If you catch your mind wandering off, just gently move your attention back to your nostrils. Don’t engage or fight your thoughts. Just attend the nostrils and your breathing again.
• If it seems impossible to concentrate on your nostrils (which is normal at the beginning), count your breath (while you keep your attention on your nostrils). Count from one to ten, and when you get distracted, start again from one.
• Keep counting (or trying to count :)) your breath until the timer gets off, or stop counting and only focus on the breath if your mind allows it.

Don’t worry if your mind won’t calm down and keeps popping up distracting thoughts. You will feel a positive effect also from “just” trying… If you repeat this exercise regularly and make it a habit , it will become easier for your mind to concentrate.

Stay focused throughout the day

Alright, let’s say you have gained focus by consciously managing your online distractions with the help of blocking apps and meditation. That’s great — but how can you prevent your focus from draining as the day proceeds? This is not a trivial task…

This resembles the workings of a muscle — and, indeed, this popular metaphor helps us find a way how we can keep our concentration throughout the day:

The key to sustained — and sustainable — productivity are power breaks .

Similarly to our muscle power, we can focus for much longer if we take regular short breaks. However, you’ll gain little from such breaks if you spend them in online distraction.

Instead, use your breaks to stand up from your desk and get your blood circulating : walk around, take some stairs, visit the toilet (not necessarily the nearest one 🙂 ), get out for a minute or look out of the windows, breathe deeply, and stretch a bit. This will refresh your mind and get you ready for the next round of work.

As I was writing up my thesis, working hard and focusing deeply, I developed a routine for my breaks: I would walk down the stairs, visit a toilet, exit the building through the back door, stretch outside, then walk around the house while breathing deeply, enter the house through the front door, and return to my office. All of this would take me around five minutes. I would sit down at my desk truly revitalized, ready to continue my work with full focus.

If this timing sounds familiar to you: yes, this is the essence of the Pomodoro technique . After 1.5 — 2.5 hours (3–5 work sessions) it is usually good to take a longer break of at least 0.5–1 hour. That qualifies as a coffee or lunch break 🙂 .

To summarize, you can gain deep focus for writing by avoiding online distraction in the late evening as well as in the morning, where you schedule your writing and other important work. Block online distractions with apps and help establish your focus with meditation as needed. You can stay focused for the whole day if you take regular power breaks: work for 25 minutes and take a break for 5 minutes, as the Pomodoro technique is suggesting.

If you want to improve your focus for writing, try this method during the next couple of days and share your experience in the comments!

Do you need to revise & polish your manuscript or thesis but don’t know where to begin? Is your text a mess and you don't know how to improve it?

Click here for an efficient step-by-step revision of your scientific texts. You will be guided through each step with concrete tips for execution.

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Stress-Free Essay Writing: 11 Techniques to Overcome Stress and Improve Your Writing

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You have (yet) another essay to write, and you feel like you’re losing your mind. There's so much on your plate that you don’t know how or where to start. What’s worse is that the pressure keeps building up!

Writing essays can make you feel like you’re on a hamster wheel – it’s never-ending.

Many students tend to feel anxious and stressed by essays, which impacts their writing quality. However, with a few clever techniques, you can write excellent essays while feeling relaxed and stress-free.

What are signs of anxiety for writers?

Anxiety signs are different for every person. However, common signs include procrastination, self-doubt, and writer's block. When you feel stress and tension while writing, you might stop moving forward. It can cause a vicious cycle of self-doubt and worry, making it challenging to write.

How can I relieve my writing anxiety?

The best way to relieve writing anxiety is to prepare accordingly. Start by breaking down the essay into smaller parts and setting a reasonable deadline for each section. Take regular breaks from writing to stretch and take deep breaths. This allows oxygen to flow freely throughout your body, helping to reduce tension and improve focus.

In this blog post, we'll share eleven techniques to help you overcome stress and improve your essay writing drastically.

1. Understand the topic and purpose of your essay

Before you begin writing, take some time to analyze and interpret the topic and identify the purpose of your essay.

Read relevant materials, such as articles, books, and research papers, to gauge your understanding of the essay topic . This way, you will be clear on the direction you need to take in your writing. It will also help you stay focused when writing and save you time.

Starting to write an essay before understanding the topic and objectives can lead to confusion and stress.

2. Set achievable goals and create a timeline

Writing an essay requires time, so it's essential to set achievable goals and timelines. Decide how many words you intend to write and create a timeline to guide you through the process of researching, writing, and editing.

For instance, you can dedicate a specific time of the day to research and outline. You can also allocate one hour for every 500 words of the essay, depending on the total word count required.

A realistic timeline can help you avoid last-minute stress and ensure enough time to write a high-quality essay.

3. Research well in advance before you start writing

Research is the backbone of any essay. That’s why conducting thorough research for your essays is always essential. Research helps you better understand your topic and positions you to write authoritatively.

Before your start writing, use credible sources such as academic journals and reputable websites to enrich your knowledge of the topic. Remember to take notes while reading to help you organize your thoughts. Researching in advance will reduce anxiety and make the essay-writing process stress-free.

4. Break your essay into manageable parts

Writing an essay can be an uphill task, especially when you try to tackle it as a whole. This is why breaking your essay into manageable parts can be helpful.

Divide your essay into sections such as the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion . Each section should be focused on a specific aspect of the overall topic. This way, you can concentrate on one section at a time and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

When you finish writing one section, take a short break before starting the next section. Breaking your essay into parts helps you stay organized and focused when writing.

5. Create an outline to guide you through

Outlining is crucial when writing an essay—it helps you organize your thoughts, stay focused, and write faster.

Once you understand the topic and purpose of your essay, research and create an outline, and jot down key points under each section of your essay to guide you through writing the essay.

An outline provides a roadmap of the flow and structure of your essay. It also takes the guesswork off your writing and prevents you from veering off the topic when writing.

6. Connect with other students

One effective way to alleviate stress is to connect with other students. Sharing tips, strategies, and helpful resources with one another can reduce the pressure of essay writing.

Find study groups within your college or join essay writing forums on social media where you can engage with other students. This can help you gain new perspectives and ideas you may not have considered. Additionally, working with other students can promote accountability, which can help you stay on track with your writing.

7. Set aside an appropriate amount of time to write

One of the biggest sources of stress when it comes to essay writing is procrastination.

You might be tempted to put off writing until the last minute, but that can increase your stress levels. To avoid this, set aside an appropriate amount of time to write. Determine how long it usually takes you to complete an essay, then set a schedule, and stick to it.

It may also help to determine what time of day suits you best, whether you are more productive in the morning or at night, and schedule to write your essay during that time.

8. Take regular breaks while writing

Writing for prolonged periods can be counterproductive and negatively affect your writing quality. Conversely, regular breaks can help refresh your mind and enhance creativity.

For a stress-free essay writing experience, try taking a 10-minute break for every hour of writing. During these breaks, avoid sitting in front of your computer and, instead, move around.

Take a short walk outside, do stretching exercises, or simply talk to someone. Such breaks can go a long way in refreshing your mind and body so you can write better.

9. Find a comfortable writing environment

The environment in which you write your essay can significantly impact your productivity and concentration. To overcome stress and write a quality essay, you need to find a comfortable writing environment where you can focus and minimize distractions.

For instance, find a quiet place with little or no disturbance, such as a library study room or a coffee shop, where you can fully concentrate on writing your essay.

10. Get feedback from someone you trust

Getting feedback is one of the most effective ways to improve your writing skills and overcome stress when writing essays.

You can get feedback from a colleague, a friend, a tutor, or even your professor. The feedback you'll get will enable you to make necessary adjustments, understand your weaknesses, and refine your writing style. They can also give you a fresh perspective and highlight what you may have missed while writing.

Getting feedback can help reduce the mental pressure of writing a perfect essay, enabling you to write with ease.

11. Practice, practice, practice!

Finally, remember that writing is a skill you can develop with time and practice. The more essays you write, the more comfortable you will become with writing. You will start to identify the best strategies and techniques for you.

You can start by writing simple essays and gradually increase the complexity. Try to look at each essay as an opportunity to improve your skills. With time, you'll become more confident and be able to write essays in a stress-free way.

How do you relax and write essays?

You can relax by playing soft music and breathing exercises to reduce anxiety before you start writing your essay. Go for a brief walk to get your blood flowing, and also try to find a place that gives you peace of mind. It could help to grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in. Once you feel mentally and physically relaxed, you can start writing.

How do I gain confidence in my essay writing?

The best way to gain confidence is to write more often. Write every day, even if it's just a few sentences. Seek feedback on your essay writing to help you learn what works and what doesn't. You might also consider taking a writing class or workshop to develop and share skills with other writers. Participating in a writing community can also help build your confidence in writing.

Key takeaway

Essay writing can be stress-free if you approach it with the right mindset and strategy. Even though writing well takes time and patience, writing under stress can affect the quality of your essays. As a result, you’ll earn fewer marks or even miss deadlines.

With the techniques explored in this article, you can reduce stress, overcome writer's block, and improve your writing skills. Remember to work on your confidence and practice self-care consistently.

If you feel too overwhelmed to handle your essays, don’t hesitate to hire a professional essay writer .

With our team of subject-matter experts, we can deliver 100% original, custom-written essays on time and as per your requirements. Whether you need it in 15 days or 5 hours, we have the resources to take away the stress that comes with writing essays and assignments.

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Essay Writing Tips: 10 Steps to Writing a Great Essay (And Have Fun Doing It!)

by Joe Bunting | 118 comments

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Do you dread essay writing? Are you looking for some essay tips that will help you write an amazing essay—and have fun doing it?

Lots of students, young and old, dread essay writing. It's a daunting assignment, one that takes research, time, and concentration.

It's also an assignment that you can break up into simple steps that make writing an essay manageable and, yes, even enjoyable.

These ten essay tips completely changed my writing process—and I hope that they can do the same for you.

Essay Writing Can Be Fun

Honestly, throughout most of high school and college, I was a mediocre essay writer.

Every once in a while, I would write a really good essay, but mostly I skated by with B's and A-minuses.

I know personally how boring writing an essay can be, and also, how hard it can be to write a good one.

However, toward the end of my time as a student, I made a breakthrough. I figured out how to not only write a great essay, I learned how to have fun while doing it . 

And since then, I've become a professional writer and have written more than a dozen books. I'm not saying that these essay writing tips are going to magically turn you into a writer, but at least they can help you enjoy the process more.

I'm excited to share these ten essay writing tips with you today! But first, we need to talk about why writing an essay is so hard.

Why Writing an Essay Is So Hard

When it comes to essay writing, a lot of students find a reason to put it off. And when they tackle it, they find it difficult to string sentences together that sound like a decent stance on the assigned subject.

Here are a few reasons why essay writing is hard:

• You'd rather be scrolling through Facebook
• You're trying to write something your teacher or professor will like
• You're trying to get an A instead of writing something that's actually good
• You want to do the least amount of work possible

The biggest reason writing an essay is so hard is because we mostly focus on those external  rewards like getting a passing grade, winning our teacher's approval, or just avoiding accusations of plagiarism.

The problem is that when you focus on external approval it not only makes writing much less fun, it also makes it significantly harder.

Because when you focus on external approval, you shut down your subconscious, and the subconscious is the source of your creativity.

The subconscious is the source of your creativity.

What this means practically is that when you're trying to write that perfect, A-plus-worthy sentence, you're turning off most of your best resources and writing skills.

So stop. Stop trying to write a good essay (or even a “good-enough” essay). Instead, write an interesting  essay, write an essay you think is fascinating. And when you're finished, go back and edit it until it's “good” according to your teacher's standards.

Yes, you need to follow the guidelines in your assignment. If your teacher tells you to write a five-paragraph essay, then write a five-paragraph essay! If your teacher asks for a specific type of essay, like an analysis, argument, or research essay, then make sure you write that type of essay!

However, within those guidelines, find room to express something that is uniquely you .

I can't guarantee you'll get a higher grade (although, you almost certainly will), but I can absolutely promise you'll have a lot more fun writing.

The Step-by-Step Process to Writing a Great Essay: Your 10 Essay Writing Tips

Ready to get writing? You can read my ten best tips for having fun while writing an essay that earns you the top grade, or check out this presentation designed by our friends at Canva Presentations .

1. Remember your essay is just a story.

Every story is about conflict and change, and the truth is that essays are about conflict and change, too! The difference is that in an essay, the conflict is between different ideas , and the change is in the way we should perceive those ideas.

That means that the best essays are about surprise: “You probably think it's one way, but in reality, you should think of it this other way.” See tip #3 for more on this.

How do you know what story you're telling? The prompt should tell you.

Any list of essay prompts includes various topics and tasks associated with them. Within those topics are characters (historical, fictional, or topical) faced with difficult choices. Your job is to work with those choices, usually by analyzing them, arguing about them, researching them, or describing them in detail.

2. Before you start writing, ask yourself, “How can I have the most fun writing this?”

It's normal to feel unmotivated when writing an academic essay. I'm a writer, and honestly, I feel unmotivated to write all the time. But I have a super-ninja, judo-mind trick I like to use to help motivate myself.

Here's the secret trick: One of the interesting things about your subconscious is that it will answer any question you ask yourself. So whenever you feel unmotivated to write your essay, ask yourself the following question:

“How much fun can I have writing this?”

Your subconscious will immediately start thinking of strategies to make the writing process more fun.

The best time to have your fun is the first draft. Since you're just brainstorming within the topic, and exploring the possible ways of approaching it, the first draft is the perfect place to get creative and even a little scandalous. Here are some wild suggestions to make your next essay a load of fun:

• Research the most surprising or outrageous fact about the topic and use it as your hook.
• Use a thesaurus to research the topic's key words. Get crazy with your vocabulary as you write, working in each key word synonym as much as possible.
• Play devil's advocate and take the opposing or immoral side of the issue. See where the discussion takes you as you write.

3. As you research, ask yourself, “What surprises me about this subject?”

The temptation, when you're writing an essay, is to write what you think your teacher or professor wants to read.

Don't do this .

Instead, ask yourself, “What do I find interesting about this subject? What surprises me?”

If you can't think of anything that surprises you, anything you find interesting, then you're not searching well enough, because history, science, and literature are all brimming   over with surprises. When you look at how great ideas actually happen, the story is always, “We used  to think the world was this way. We found out we were completely wrong, and that the world is actually quite different from what we thought.”

These pieces of surprising information often make for the best topic sentences as well. Use them to outline your essay and build your body paragraphs off of each unique fact or idea. These will function as excellent hooks for your reader as you transition from one topic to the next.

(By the way, what sources should you use for research? Check out tip #10 below.)

4. Overwhelmed? Write five original sentences.

The standard three-point essay is really made up of just five original sentences surrounded by supporting paragraphs that back up those five sentences. If you're feeling overwhelmed, just write five sentences covering your most basic main points.

Here's what they might look like for this article:

• Introductory Paragraph:  While most students consider writing an essay a boring task, with the right mindset, it can actually be an enjoyable experience.
• Body #1: Most students think writing an essay is tedious because they focus on external rewards.
• Body #2: Students should instead focus on internal fulfillment when writing an essay.
• Body #3: Not only will focusing on internal fulfillment allow students to have more fun, it will also result in better essays.
• Conclusion: Writing an essay doesn't have to be simply a way to earn a good grade. Instead, it can be a means of finding fulfillment.

After you write your five sentences, it's easy to fill in the paragraphs for each one.

Now, you give it a shot!

5. Be “source heavy.”

In college, I discovered a trick that helped me go from a B-average student to an A-student, but before I explain how it works, let me warn you. This technique is powerful , but it might not work for all teachers or professors. Use with caution.

As I was writing a paper for a literature class, I realized that the articles and books I was reading said what I was trying to say much better than I ever could. So what did I do? I quoted them liberally throughout my paper. When I wasn't quoting, I re-phrased what they said in my own words, giving proper credit, of course. I found that not only did this formula create a well-written essay, it took about half the time to write.

It's good to keep in mind that using anyone else's words, even when morphed into your own phrasing, requires citation. While the definition of plagiarism is shifting with the rise of online collaboration and cooperative learning environments, always  err on the side of excessive citation to be safe.

When I used this technique, my professors sometimes mentioned that my papers were very “source” heavy. However, at the same time, they always gave me A's.

To keep yourself safe, I recommend using a 60/40 approach with your body paragraphs: Make sure 60% of the words are your own analysis and argumentation, while 40% can be quoted (or text you paraphrase) from your sources.

Like the five sentence trick, this technique makes the writing process simpler. Instead of putting the main focus on writing well, it instead forces you to research  well, which some students find easier.

6. Write the body first, the introduction second, and the conclusion last.

Introductions are often the hardest part to write because you're trying to summarize your entire essay before you've even written it yet. Instead, try writing your introduction last, giving yourself the body of the paper to figure out the main point of your essay.

This is especially important with an essay topic you are not personally interested in. I definitely recommend this in classes you either don't excel in or care much for. Take plenty of time to draft and revise your body paragraphs before  attempting to craft a meaningful introductory paragraph.

Otherwise your opening may sound awkward, wooden, and bland.

7. Most essays answer the question, “What?” Good essays answer the “Why?” The best essays answer the “How?”

If you get stuck trying to make your argument, or you're struggling to reach the required word count, try focusing on the question, “How?”

For example:

• How did J.D. Salinger convey the theme of inauthenticity in  The Catcher In the Rye ?
• How did Napoleon restore stability in France after the French Revolution?
• How does the research prove girls really do rule and boys really do drool?

If you focus on how, you'll always have enough to write about.

8. Don't be afraid to jump around.

Essay writing can be a dance. You don't have to stay in one place and write from beginning to end.

For the same reasons listed in point #6, give yourself the freedom to write as if you're circling around your topic rather than making a single, straightforward argument. Then, when you edit and proofread, you can make sure everything lines up correctly.

In fact, now is the perfect time to mention that proofreading your essay isn't just about spelling and commas.

It's about making sure your analysis or argument flows smoothly from one idea to another. (Okay, technically this comprises editing, but most students writing a high school or college essay don't take the time to complete every step of the writing process. Let's be honest.)

So as you clean up your mechanics and sentence structure, make sure your ideas flow smoothly, logically, and naturally from one to the next as you finish proofreading.

9. Here are some words and phrases you don't want to use.

• You  (You'll notice I use a lot of you's, which is great for a blog post. However, in an academic essay, it's better to omit the second-person.)
• To Be verbs (is, are, was, were, am)

Don't have time to edit? Here's a lightning-quick editing technique .

A note about “I”: Some teachers say you shouldn't use “I” statements in your writing, but the truth is that professional, academic papers often use phrases like “I believe” and “in my opinion,” especially in their introductions.

10. It's okay to use Wikipedia, if…

Wikipedia is one of the top five websites in the world for a reason: it can be a great tool for research. However, most teachers and professors don't consider Wikipedia a valid source for use in essays.

Don't totally discount it, though! Here are two ways you can use Wikipedia in your essay writing:

• Background research. If you don't know enough about your topic, Wikipedia can be a great resource to quickly learn everything you need to know to get started.
• Find sources . Check the reference section of Wikipedia's articles on your topic. While you may not be able to cite Wikipedia itself, you can often find those original sources and cite them . You can locate the links to primary and secondary sources at the bottom of any Wikipedia page under the headings “Further Reading” and “References.”

You Can Enjoy Essay Writing

The thing I regret most about high school and college is that I treated it like something I had  to do rather than something I wanted  to do.

The truth is, education is an opportunity many people in the world don't have access to.

It's a gift, not just something that makes your life more difficult. I don't want you to make the mistake of just “getting by” through school, waiting desperately for summer breaks and, eventually, graduation.

How would your life be better if you actively enjoyed writing an essay? What would school look like if you wanted to suck it dry of all the gifts it has to give you?

All I'm saying is, don't miss out!

Looking for More Essay Writing Tips?

Looking for more essay tips to strengthen your essay writing? Try some of these resources:

• 7 Tips on Writing an Effective Essay
• Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

How about you? Do you have any tips for writing an essay?  Let us know in the  comments .

Need more grammar help?  My favorite tool that helps find grammar problems and even generates reports to help improve my writing is ProWritingAid . Works with Word, Scrivener, Google Docs, and web browsers. Also, be sure to use my coupon code to get 20 percent off: WritePractice20

Coupon Code:WritePractice20 »

Ready to try out these ten essay tips to make your essay assignment fun? Spend fifteen minutes using tip #4 and write five original sentences that could be turned into an essay.

When you're finished, share your five sentences in the comments section. And don't forget to give feedback to your fellow writers!

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Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

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A (Very) Simple Way to Improve Your Writing

• Mark Rennella

It’s called the “one-idea rule” — and any level of writer can use it.

The “one idea” rule is a simple concept that can help you sharpen your writing, persuade others by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. What exactly does the rule say?

• Every component of a successful piece of writing should express only one idea.
• In persuasive writing, your “one idea” is often the argument or belief you are presenting to the reader. Once you identify what that argument is, the “one-idea rule” can help you develop, revise, and connect the various components of your writing.
• For instance, let’s say you’re writing an essay. There are three components you will be working with throughout your piece: the title, the paragraphs, and the sentences.
• Each of these parts should be dedicated to just one idea. The ideas are not identical, of course, but they’re all related. If done correctly, the smaller ideas (in sentences) all build (in paragraphs) to support the main point (suggested in the title).

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Most advice about writing looks like a long laundry list of “do’s and don’ts.” These lists can be helpful from time to time, but they’re hard to remember … and, therefore, hard to depend on when you’re having trouble putting your thoughts to paper. During my time in academia, teaching composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels, I saw many people struggle with this.

• MR Mark Rennella is Associate Editor at HBP and has published two books, Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Leaders and The Boston Cosmopolitans .  

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How to Focus an Essay

Last Updated: October 11, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. This article has been viewed 47,500 times.

Do your essays seem unfocused? Do you tend to ramble while writing? Stating a clear thesis and providing a well-structured argument will help you convey your points to the reader in a focused manner. Create an outline to bring different sections together into a cohesive, flowing piece of work. Be sure to read and revise your material as you write it. This will help you keep your work focused.

Essay Template and Sample Essays

Preparing to Write Your Essay

• If your essay is part of an exam, read the question carefully. Underline the action words like “explain,” “compare,” “analyze.” Be sure you understand how you are supposed to prove your answer.
• See if the essay prompt has multiple parts. For example, it could say, “First, discuss Mary’s emotions upon being rejected at the ball. Then compare her father’s behavior in this situation to his behavior towards Elizabeth’s engagement. Is he showing the same paternal instincts? How so?” For this question, you should answer the first part and then proceed to offer a comparison.

• You should not cite Wikipedia as a source. You can, however, use Wikipedia to find scientific sources for your topic. Look at the references section at the end of a Wikipedia article for links.

• Under each section, write your main arguments as bullet points.
• Under each argument, use secondary bullet points to write out your supporting points and create footnote or in-text citations.
• Include additional information that you think might be useful in an “Other” bullet point even if you don’t have a place for it. You might discard this information or find a use for it later.
• For example, if you must write a five paragraph essay about housing at the Sochi Olympics, you might organize your outline by having paragraphs that provide the following information: I. Introduction to Sochi Olympics and housing II. Discussion of housing financing III. Analysis of contractors, laborers, and their schedules for completion IV. Media reaction to unfinished housing V. Conclusion and overall assessment of housing at Sochi Olympics. Under each paragraph you would have additional sub-points.

Focusing Your Thesis Statement

• Your thesis statement is your opinion it is not a statement of fact. [4] X Research source For example, "Mr. Bennet's wife is Mrs. Bennet" is an indisputable fact and not a thesis statement. Your opinion might be, "By providing a time diary of Mr. Bennet's daily activities, I argue that he prefers to spend time with Elizabeth rather than Mrs. Bennet. Additional quotations work to prove that Mr. Bennet is intellectually attracted to more intelligent females. In this regard, he is a man living beyond his time."
• Your thesis statement is not a question. [5] X Research source You can ask questions in an introduction to pique the readers' interest but you must state directly what you want to prove. For example, you cannot ask, "Was the housing finished in time for the Sochi Olympics?" Most people know it wasn't. Instead, theorize or investigate why it was not finished on time and produce your unique opinion on the underlying reasons.
• Has someone proved the same thing previously or is your thought a well-established fact? If so, try to take a different angle on a topic. For example, instead of writing, "Pride & Prejudice is a beloved book especially for young women," ask yourself why? What is it about this particular book that has captured generations of young women's imaginations? Is it the characters? Do the strong female leads help girls of the past and today to identify with the story?

Writing the Introduction

• The length of your introduction depends on the size of your entire essay. For example, a five page essay should have a short introduction with only a few paragraphs. If you are doing a longer paper, however, your introduction could be a few pages. [9] X Research source
• It is often most effective to write your introduction after you have written the rest of your paper. While it is okay to write a draft of your introduction right away, you should edit your introduction later to reflect your paper's final appearance.

• Your explanation of the context should also be focused. For instance, in a shorter essay, you do not need to give an exhaustive explanation of 19th century gender roles. You can, however, provide a few sentences or paragraphs (depending on your essay size) to ground the reader. Specify the gender dynamics that impact the character you are examining. For example, in the context of Pride and Prejudice, discuss gender politics of the upper middle class as this is the class to which the Bennets belong. You might discuss women's dowries and their lack of occupations and thus need to marry. Choose the most relevant points that will help your reader understand your argument more.

Developing a Focused Argument

• For a five paragraph essay, each separate argument should have its own paragraph.

• Reread your supporting sentences aloud and ask yourself whether they relate to the topic sentence. If they do not, delete them. If they somewhat but not entirely relate, revise them.
• Check for the logical order of your supporting sentences. They should follow one another in a way that makes your argument clear. If you skip around in your explanation, even topically relevant sentences will not help the reader.

• Transitional words could be “furthermore,” “nevertheless,” “additionally,” or “in contrast.”

Writing the Conclusion

• Do not mention your future plans in a homework or exam essay. This step is appropriate for academic essays.

Finishing Your Essay

• If possible, wait a day or two before doing a thorough proofreading. You tend to catch more mistakes when you are less tired.
• Insert page numbers.
• Printing typed essays is another good way to find mistakes. Sometimes we see more mistakes on printed copies.
• Check for redundancies in language. Do you use the same verbs or transitional words all the time?

• It is helpful to collect your sources while you write. This way, if you have a “working bibliography,” it will only take a small time to proofread it before submission.

Expert Q&A

• Don't write your essay the night before it's due, as you will be stressed and have an immediate deadline, which never helps focus. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://www.clarion.edu/academics/academic-support/writing-center/Focusing-an-Essay-with-a-Thesis.pdf
• ↑ http://naropa.edu/documents/programs/jks/naropa-writing-center/thesis.pdf
• ↑ http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/30/17/433/Natural-Ferret-Behavior.aspx
• ↑ http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/beginning-academic-essay
• ↑ https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/how-to-answer-essay-questions.html

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Essay Clarity: How to Stay on Topic When Writing an Essay

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Introduction: The Importance of Essay Clarity

1. understand the essay prompt: analyzing the key instructions, 2. organize your thoughts: creating a clear and coherent structure.

• tags for main sections and tags for subheadings. Within these sections, employ bold text to emphasize key points and make them stand out. 3. Employ bullet points or numbered lists: When discussing multiple supporting points or ideas within a section, consider using bullet points or numbered lists. This helps break down complex information into bite-sized chunks, making it easier for your readers to understand and remember. By implementing these strategies, your writing will not only be well-structured but also more engaging and accessible to your readers. A clear and coherent structure will guide your audience smoothly through your content, ensuring their comprehension and leaving a lasting impact. 3. Thesis Statement: Crafting a Concise and Focused Central Idea

4. Stay Focused: Avoiding Tangents and Irrelevant Information

5. use clear and precise language: communicating your ideas effectively, 6. transition smoothly: connecting your ideas and maintaining coherence, 7. revise and edit: ensuring clarity through proofreading and feedback, conclusion: mastering essay clarity for successful academic writing, frequently asked questions, in conclusion.

Why is essay clarity important?

When it comes to writing essays, clarity plays a vital role in effectively communicating your ideas to the reader. Clear writing not only helps the reader understand your thoughts and arguments, but it also showcases your ability to organize and articulate your ideas in a concise and coherent manner.

Here are a few reasons why essay clarity should be a top priority:

• Enhanced comprehension: Clear writing enables the reader to grasp the main points of your essay effortlessly. When your ideas are presented in a logical and cohesive manner, the reader can easily follow your thought process and connect the dots.
• Effective communication: Clarity in your essay ensures that your message is effectively conveyed. It helps you express your thoughts precisely and concisely, leaving no room for ambiguity or misunderstanding.
• Credibility and professionalism: Well-written essays demonstrate your competence as a writer and enhance your credibility. When your ideas are presented clearly, the reader is more likely to perceive you as knowledgeable and trustworthy.

By prioritizing clarity in your essays, you can greatly improve the overall quality of your writing and make a lasting impression on your audience.

When tackling an essay prompt, it is crucial to fully comprehend the key instructions before diving into the writing process. By carefully analyzing and understanding the prompt, you will be able to ensure that your essay addresses all the necessary components. Here are a few steps to help you navigate this stage:

Gather information: Start by reading the prompt multiple times to grasp its meaning and requirements. Identify the central theme or question posed. Highlight or underline any keywords that will shape the focus of your essay.

Break down the prompt: After gathering the necessary information, break down the prompt into smaller parts to aid your understanding. Identify the specific tasks or instructions outlined in the prompt. Create a mental or written checklist of what needs to be addressed in your essay.

Once you have gathered all your ideas and thoughts, it’s crucial to organize them in a clear and coherent structure. This will not only make your writing more digestible for readers but also help you express yourself more effectively. To achieve this, follow these steps:

1. Start with an outline: Create a skeleton for your writing by organizing your main ideas and supporting points. Think about the logical flow of your thoughts and how they connect to each other. This will provide you with a roadmap to follow as you develop your piece.

2. Use headings and subheadings: Break your content into sections to enhance readability and make it easier for your audience to navigate through your ideas. Utilize HTML headings to mark different levels of importance. For instance, use

tags for main sections and tags for subheadings. Within these sections, employ bold text to emphasize key points and make them stand out. 3. Employ bullet points or numbered lists: When discussing multiple supporting points or ideas within a section, consider using bullet points or numbered lists. This helps break down complex information into bite-sized chunks , making it easier for your readers to understand and remember. By implementing these strategies, your writing will not only be well-structured but also more engaging and accessible to your readers. A clear and coherent structure will guide your audience smoothly through your content, ensuring their comprehension and leaving a lasting impact. 3. Thesis Statement: Crafting a Concise and Focused Central Idea

A solid thesis statement is an essential component of any well-written essay or research paper. It serves as the foundation upon which the entire piece of writing is built, providing a clear direction for the reader to follow. Crafting a concise and focused central idea can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it is achievable.

To create an effective thesis statement, consider the following tips: 1. Understand the assignment: Before diving into crafting your central idea, thoroughly comprehend the requirements and objectives of your writing assignment. This will ensure that your thesis statement aligns with the purpose of the paper. 2. Analyze and brainstorm: Take the time to critically analyze your topic and generate ideas. Jot down key points and arguments that you want to convey in your writing. This brainstorming process will help you formulate a concise and focused thesis statement. 3. Be specific and avoid ambiguity: A strong thesis statement is clear, specific, and devoid of vague language or sweeping generalizations. It should clearly state your main argument or position on the topic, supporting it with precise evidence and examples as needed.

When writing, it’s essential to stay focused on your main topic to ensure your message is clear and impactful. Avoiding tangents and irrelevant information can help you maintain reader engagement and prevent confusion. To keep your writing on track, consider the following:

• Define your purpose: Before you start writing, have a clear understanding of the goal you want to achieve with your piece. This will help you identify which information is relevant and which is not.
• Create an outline: Organize your thoughts and main points before diving into the writing process. This will provide a roadmap to follow and prevent you from going off on tangents.
• Stick to a structure: Use paragraphs to separate different ideas or concepts. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect related to your main topic. This way, your readers can easily follow your progression without getting lost.

Moreover, it’s important to consider your audience. Understand who you are writing for and adjust your writing style and the level of detail accordingly. By being conscious of your audience, you can avoid including unnecessary information that might not be relevant or interesting to them. Remember, keeping your writing concise and focused enhances your chances of delivering a compelling piece that resonates with your readers.

When it comes to conveying your thoughts and ideas, clear and precise language is crucial to ensure effective communication. Whether you are writing an article, presenting a project, or simply engaging in a conversation, using the right words and structuring your sentences properly can make all the difference in getting your message across.

To effectively communicate your ideas, consider the following tips:

• Choose your words wisely: Opt for vocabulary that is appropriate for your audience. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms that may confuse or alienate your readers or listeners.
• Keep it concise: Be mindful of unnecessary fluff or excessive information. Clearly state your main points and avoid dragging your thoughts or ideas.
• Organize your thoughts: Create a logical flow by organizing your ideas into paragraphs or bullet points. This helps readers or listeners follow your argument or main points more easily.

In addition to word choice and organization, it’s essential to be mindful of potential ambiguity. Ensure that your sentences can be interpreted in only one way, leaving no room for confusion. Avoid using excessive adjectives or adverbs that could cloud the intended meaning. Instead, strive for precision by using strong verbs and concrete nouns.

Effective writing requires more than just a collection of thoughts. To truly engage your readers and convey your message, it is crucial to ensure a logical flow between your ideas. Transition words and phrases play a significant role in achieving this coherence. By understanding how to connect your ideas seamlessly, you can enhance the readability and impact of your writing.

One way to transition smoothly is by using transition words or phrases that indicate relationships between sentences or paragraphs. Common examples include “however,” “in addition,” “similarly,” and “finally.” These connective elements allow you to guide your readers through your thoughts and arguments effortlessly. It’s important to note that they can also signal a contrast, emphasis, or sequence, depending on their usage within the context. Additionally, employing subordinating conjunctions such as “although,” “because,” and “unless” can further enhance the coherence of your writing.

• Use transitional words and phrases to indicate relationships between ideas.
• Employ subordinating conjunctions for better coherence within sentences.
• Ensure a logical flow by considering the structure and arrangement of your paragraphs.
• Connect ideas by highlighting similarities, contrasting differences, or emphasizing key points.

One essential step in the writing process is to revise and edit your work to ensure clarity and coherence. Proofreading your writing not only helps in catching any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or punctuation errors but also allows you to refine your content for better readability and understanding. In this section, we will explore some effective techniques for revising and editing your work, along with the importance of seeking feedback from others.

To begin with, **proofreading** is a crucial aspect of the revision process. Carefully read through your writing to identify and correct any errors or inconsistencies. Here are a few tips to help you efficiently proofread your work:

– Take a break before proofreading: Distance yourself from your writing for some time to gain a fresh perspective while proofreading. – Read aloud: Read your work aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or sentences that may need restructuring. – Use spell check tools: Utilize spell check tools available in word processors to easily spot and rectify spelling errors. – Check for grammar and punctuation: Pay attention to grammar rules and punctuation marks, ensuring that your writing follows correct and consistent usage. – Look for clarity and coherence: Ensure that your ideas flow logically and that each paragraph or section is connected to the overall theme of your piece.

Apart from proofreading, **feedback** plays a vital role in refining your work. Seeking feedback from others can provide valuable insights and perspectives, helping you identify areas that may need improvement. Consider the following when involving others in the revision process:

– Choose your proofreaders wisely: Seek feedback from individuals who have a good understanding of the subject matter or possess strong writing skills. – Ask specific questions: Instead of merely requesting general feedback, provide specific areas or questions you want your proofreaders to focus on. – Remain open to suggestions: Be receptive to feedback and constructive criticism, as it can lead to significant improvements in your writing. – Compare feedback: When receiving feedback from multiple sources, compare and analyze the suggestions to determine common areas that need attention. – Revise based on feedback: Implement the suggested changes once you have thoroughly reviewed and considered the feedback provided.

The key to successful academic writing lies in mastering essay clarity. When writing essays, it is crucial to present your ideas clearly and concisely, ensuring that your message is easily understood by your readers. By following a few essential steps, you can enhance the clarity of your writing and make it more impactful.

Firstly, consider the structure of your essay. A well-organized essay is easier to comprehend and allows your readers to navigate through your ideas effortlessly. Divide your essay into sections or paragraphs, each addressing a specific point. Use subheadings to guide your audience and make sure each paragraph focuses on a single main idea.

• Additionally, use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas smoothly. Words such as ‘furthermore,’ ‘meanwhile,’ or ‘however,’ help establish logical relationships between sentences and paragraphs.
• Furthermore, be mindful of your sentence structure. Keep your sentences clear and concise, avoiding excessive use of complex language or jargon that may confuse your readers. Break down complex ideas into simpler terms and provide examples or explanations when necessary.
• Avoid using long sentences, as they can lead to confusion and may distract your readers from your main argument. Instead, aim for shorter, well-constructed sentences that communicate your point effectively.

In conclusion, mastering essay clarity is essential for successful academic writing. By organizing your essay effectively, using transition words, and simplifying your language, you can ensure your ideas are communicated clearly and concisely. So, the next time you approach an essay, remember these tips and watch your academic writing thrive!

Q: What is the importance of staying on topic when writing an essay? A: Staying on topic is crucial when writing an essay because it ensures that your ideas are clear and well-organized. It helps you convey your thoughts concisely and effectively to your readers.

Q: How can I stay on topic when writing an essay? A: To stay on topic, you should start by clearly understanding the essay prompt or question. Make sure to identify the main idea or argument you want to focus on and create an outline to guide your writing. Additionally, during the writing process, continuously refer back to your outline and revise your content to ensure it aligns with the main topic.

Q: What are some common challenges people face when trying to stay on topic? A: One common challenge is getting sidetracked by related but irrelevant information. It’s important to differentiate between pertinent and tangential details. Another challenge can be the lack of a clear thesis statement, which often results in a scattered and unfocused essay.

Q: Are there any strategies to help me stay focused on my main topic throughout the essay? A: Absolutely! One effective strategy is to use topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph. These sentences provide a clear link to your main topic, helping you maintain focus and guiding your readers through the essay. Additionally, regularly reviewing your outline and ensuring that each paragraph supports your thesis statement will keep you on track.

Q: How can I ensure that my essay stays clear and coherent? A: To achieve clarity in your essay, start by organizing your thoughts before beginning the writing process. Ensure that each paragraph has a clear point that links back to your main topic and supports your thesis. Additionally, use transitional words and phrases to smoothly connect your ideas throughout the essay.

Q: Are there any common mistakes I should avoid when trying to maintain essay clarity? A: Yes, there are a few common mistakes to be aware of. Avoid going off on tangents unrelated to your main topic. Also, be cautious with overly complex language or jargon that may confuse your readers. Finally, steer clear of abrupt shifts in ideas or contradicting statements that can undermine the clarity of your essay.

Q: How important is proofreading in maintaining essay clarity? A: Proofreading is a vital step in maintaining essay clarity. It allows you to identify any errors, awkward phrasing, or inconsistencies that may have slipped through during the writing process. By carefully reviewing your essay, you can ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and that your message is clear and easily understandable.

Q: Can seeking feedback from others help improve the clarity of my essay? A: Yes, seeking feedback from others, such as classmates, mentors, or family members, can be incredibly beneficial. They can provide fresh perspectives and identify any confusing parts or areas that lack clarity. Having someone else review your essay can help you gauge if your main topic is clearly conveyed and if your arguments are effectively presented.

Q: Is there any other advice you would give to maintain clarity in essay writing? A: Yes, in addition to the strategies already mentioned, it’s important to be mindful of your intended audience. Tailoring your language, examples, and explanations to ensure that your readers can follow your line of thinking will greatly contribute to the clarity of your essay. Finally, practice active reading to enhance your own understanding of how clarity is achieved in other well-written essays.

In conclusion, staying on topic when writing an essay is crucial for clarity. By having a focused approach, you can effectively convey your ideas and engage your readers.

The Creative Battle: How to Overcome the Writer’s Block

Navigating Choices: When Choosing a Topic for Your Writing Project

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9.3 Organizing Your Writing

Learning objectives.

• Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
• Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
• Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
• Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.

The method of organization you choose for your essay is just as important as its content. Without a clear organizational pattern, your reader could become confused and lose interest. The way you structure your essay helps your readers draw connections between the body and the thesis, and the structure also keeps you focused as you plan and write the essay. Choosing your organizational pattern before you outline ensures that each body paragraph works to support and develop your thesis.

This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:

• Chronological order
• Order of importance
• Spatial order

When you begin to draft your essay, your ideas may seem to flow from your mind in a seemingly random manner. Your readers, who bring to the table different backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas, need you to clearly organize these ideas in order to help process and accept them.

A solid organizational pattern gives your ideas a path that you can follow as you develop your draft. Knowing how you will organize your paragraphs allows you to better express and analyze your thoughts. Planning the structure of your essay before you choose supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and targeted research.

Chronological Order

In Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

• To explain the history of an event or a topic
• To tell a story or relate an experience
• To explain how to do or to make something
• To explain the steps in a process

Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing , which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. This method requires you to use words such as first , second , then , after that , later , and finally . These transition words guide you and your reader through the paper as you expand your thesis.

For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first , then , next , and so on.

Writing at Work

At some point in your career you may have to file a complaint with your human resources department. Using chronological order is a useful tool in describing the events that led up to your filing the grievance. You would logically lay out the events in the order that they occurred using the key transition words. The more logical your complaint, the more likely you will be well received and helped.

Choose an accomplishment you have achieved in your life. The important moment could be in sports, schooling, or extracurricular activities. On your own sheet of paper, list the steps you took to reach your goal. Try to be as specific as possible with the steps you took. Pay attention to using transition words to focus your writing.

Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

• Writing essays containing heavy research
• Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
• Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

When using chronological order, your introduction should indicate the information you will cover and in what order, and the introduction should also establish the relevance of the information. Your body paragraphs should then provide clear divisions or steps in chronology. You can divide your paragraphs by time (such as decades, wars, or other historical events) or by the same structure of the work you are examining (such as a line-by-line explication of a poem).

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that describes a process you are familiar with and can do well. Assume that your reader is unfamiliar with the procedure. Remember to use the chronological key words, such as first , second , then , and finally .

Order of Importance

Recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

• Persuading and convincing
• Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
• Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Most essays move from the least to the most important point, and the paragraphs are arranged in an effort to build the essay’s strength. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to begin with your most important supporting point, such as in an essay that contains a thesis that is highly debatable. When writing a persuasive essay, it is best to begin with the most important point because it immediately captivates your readers and compels them to continue reading.

For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument first, and then move on to the less important points for your case.

Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .

During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.

Spatial Order

As stated in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

• Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
• Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
• Writing a descriptive essay

Spatial order means that you explain or describe objects as they are arranged around you in your space, for example in a bedroom. As the writer, you create a picture for your reader, and their perspective is the viewpoint from which you describe what is around you.

The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals to follow from place to place. The key to using this method is to choose a specific starting point and then guide the reader to follow your eye as it moves in an orderly trajectory from your starting point.

Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

Attached to my bedroom wall is a small wooden rack dangling with red and turquoise necklaces that shimmer as you enter. Just to the right of the rack is my window, framed by billowy white curtains. The peace of such an image is a stark contrast to my desk, which sits to the right of the window, layered in textbooks, crumpled papers, coffee cups, and an overflowing ashtray. Turning my head to the right, I see a set of two bare windows that frame the trees outside the glass like a 3D painting. Below the windows is an oak chest from which blankets and scarves are protruding. Against the wall opposite the billowy curtains is an antique dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box and a few picture frames. A tall mirror attached to the dresser takes up most of the wall, which is the color of lavender.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.

The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

• Just to the left or just to the right
• On the left or on the right
• Across from
• A little further down
• To the south, to the east, and so on
• A few yards away
• Turning left or turning right

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Key Takeaways

• The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
• A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
• Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
• Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
• Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
• Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Constant Content Blog

Five ways to stay focused on writing and improve productivity.

Posted January 29, 2020 by Neha Wanikar in Blogging , Freelance Writers , Freelance Writing Tips , Tips

As a writer, you have to stay focused for prolonged periods if you want to meet deadlines and make a living from writing. That doesn’t mean that you have you devote 100 percent of your time to writing, but it does mean that you need discipline.

However, every writer knows that staying focused is a constant struggle. It’s easy to get distracted – sometimes, doing anything other than writing is preferable. But if you want to write – and write well – you have to focus. Without focus, the quality and quantity of your writing will go downhill.

To help, here are a few tips that will help improve your concentration and keep you focused on the task at hand.

1. Set Daily Writing Goals

When you set yourself the challenge of writing a set number of words per day, you’ll have a regular goal to aim for in the morning. And it’s something you can congratulate yourself for at the end of the day. It doesn’t have to be a daily goal; setting yourself an hourly goal can be just as effective.

Try to set realistic goals that you know you can achieve. Sometimes, you’ll easily succeed. Other times, you might only just make it. The important thing is to stick with it. It’s a great motivational tool and will build your confidence too.

Related Reading: 10 Ways to Build Your Writing Self-Confidence

2. Give Yourself a Break

People used to think that taking breaks was lazy and unproductive, but various studies have shown that the opposite is true. A study from the University of Illinois showed that taking even small breaks from a task can dramatically improve long-term focus on that task.

Giving yourself regular breaks is essential for your physical and mental health. Taking time out from writing means you can return to the writing process with clearer thoughts and renewed energy. Instead of writing until you fall asleep at the computer, write for 45 minutes and then take a 15-minute break. Watch TV, take a shower, or go for a walk. A temporary change of setting is all it takes to refresh your mind.

3. Find Your Ideal Writing Environment

Everyone has a special location or comfort zone that helps productivity. Whether it’s writing to a soundtrack of waterfalls while sitting on your favorite purple bean bag in your pyjamas, or sitting silently at your grandfather’s mahogany desk wearing a suit, what really matters is that you’re comfortable and can get into your writing zone.

You might find that you can focus better in a coffee shop, or perhaps working in your basement helps. Some people need quiet. If external noise is a problem, try noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs.

4. Remove All Distractions

A crucial part of creating a comfortable environment is removing all the things that get in the way of clear thinking – before you start writing.

Put away your smartphone, shut the door, disable email notifications, and close your internet browser. While the internet is great for research, it’s also great for funny pet videos. Stop the distractions before they happen.

There are various apps and add-ons you can add to your browser to stop yourself wasting time. StayFocusd and WasteNoTime are two browser extensions that help you exercise some self-control.

Related Reading: 34 Content Writing Tools Every Serious Online Writer Needs

5. Don’t Self-Edit

Editing as you write will only distract you from your thought processes and can ruin the flow of your writing. Always remember that a first draft is not meant to be perfect. Don’t stop to make each sentence a work of art – just keep writing. It’s the best way to develop your thoughts.

It’s also best to avoid checking facts during a writing session. If you don’t have a statistic to hand, or you can’t remember the name of something, don’t stop to look it up. Simply leave a note for yourself in the text to research it later. Researching can eat up a lot of time and will only shift your brain’s focus from writing to fact-checking.

Prepare to Focus

Every writer struggles with focus from time to time, but this can be overcome with the right attitude and preparation. If you think you have writer’s block , you can beat this too.

Think of these tips as guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. Learning how to stay completely focused while writing may take time to master, but it will save you time in the long run. Hopefully, with these tips and the right mindset, you’ll soon be able to slip into your writing zone – like a comfy pair of pyjamas – and achieve more every day.

For more writing and productivity tips, visit: 14 Writing and Productivity Hacks

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How to Stay on Topic When Writing an Essay

How to Write an Essay With a Thesis Statement

Whether writing a personal essay or an argumentative essay, you must stay on topic so your essay is focused and compelling. The strength of your essay's argument or emotional appeal dissipates when you veer off-topic; you risk losing your readers. As a student, learning how to stay on topic may also mean the difference between getting a good or bad grade on a writing assignment. Developing a strong thesis statement and making an outline can help keep your writing focused.

Develop a strong thesis statement. Your thesis statement is your essay's primary idea. The Purdue University Online Writing Lab says that a thesis statement should be narrow and concrete, and you should be able to support it with evidence in the body of the essay.

Develop an outline guided by your thesis statement. Use a pen and paper or note cards to organize your ideas as you put together the outline.

To create the outline, note your thesis statement at the top of the page and write a large A, B and C on the left side of the paper to correspond with each of your paragraphs. Use as many letters as needed for as many paragraphs as needed.

Write a main topic idea next to each letter. Growing With Grammar suggests that even the briefest paragraph should have a main topic, and the first sentence of the paragraph is usually the topic sentence.

Each topic sentence should support the main thesis. For example, if your essay is about how kale is the healthiest food to eat, each supporting statement might focus on one of the health benefits of kale.

Write the numbers "1", "2" and "3" under each topic sentence on your outline. These will correspond to the supporting details for each paragraph's main idea.

For example, if the paragraph is about how kale is the healthiest food to eat because it contains a lot of calcium, your supporting points could include information on how much calcium it contains, how much calcium is recommended for each person, and how eating enough calcium benefits health.

Within each paragraph, you have to back up and explain your main argument, so develop supporting details for each paragraph.

For example, if the paragraph is about how kale is the healthiest food to eat because it contains a lot of calcium, your supporting points could include information on how much calcium it contains both when raw and cooked and whether the average American gets enough calcium through dietary choices.

San Bruno, California's Skyline College professors Karen Wong and Rachel Bell explain that you should ask yourself "How do I know this is true?" for the main idea in each paragraph, and the answer you give yourself will help you flesh out your argument.

Double check every line of your essay to ensure that it supports the main idea in the paragraph, which should then support the thesis. Ask yourself how each sentence provides specific evidence to support your main idea. The sentence should be able to offer support when read on its own and not in context with the other information.

• Ask a classmate or friend to read your essay, while looking for any inconsistencies or weakness in your argument. The person you ask to proofread your essay can point out any places where your essay seems to go off-topic or let you know any questions that are raised but are not answered by the essay.

Do not include "fun facts" or bits of trivia, anecdotes or personal observations in your essay unless they support your argument.

Related Articles

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How to Write an Anecdotal Essay

How to Write an Expository Essay for Grade Three

How to Write a Narrative Paper for a 12 Year Old

How to Write a Controlling Idea Essay

How to Write a Diversity Scholarship Essay

What Is a Classification Essay?

How to Start a Debate

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements
• California State University Northridge: Timed Essay Strategies; Karen Wong and Rachel Bell
• Do not include "fun facts" or bits of trivia, anecdotes or personal observations in your essay unless they support your argument.

Maria Magher has been working as a professional writer since 2001. She has worked as an ESL teacher, a freshman composition teacher and an education reporter, writing for regional newspapers and online publications. She has written about parenting for Pampers and other websites. She has a Master's degree in English and creative writing.

A clear, arguable thesis will tell your readers where you are going to end up, but it can also help you figure out how to get them there. Put your thesis at the top of a blank page and then make a list of the points you will need to make to argue that thesis effectively.

For example, consider this example from the thesis handout : While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake”(54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well”(51) is less convincing.

To argue this thesis, the author needs to do the following:

• Show what is persuasive about Sandel’s claims about the problems with striving for perfection.
• Show what is not convincing about Sandel’s claim that we can clearly distinguish between medically necessary enhancements and other enhancements.

Once you have broken down your thesis into main claims, you can then think about what sub-claims you will need to make in order to support each of those main claims. That step might look like this:

• Evidence that Sandel provides to support this claim
• Discussion of why this evidence is convincing even in light of potential counterarguments
• Discussion of cases when medically necessary enhancement and non-medical enhancement cannot be easily distinguished
• Analysis of what those cases mean for Sandel’s argument
• Consideration of counterarguments (what Sandel might say in response to this section of your argument)

Each argument you will make in an essay will be different, but this strategy will often be a useful first step in figuring out the path of your argument.  

Strategy #2: Use subheadings, even if you remove them later  

Scientific papers generally include standard subheadings to delineate different sections of the paper, including “introduction,” “methods,” and “discussion.” Even when you are not required to use subheadings, it can be helpful to put them into an early draft to help you see what you’ve written and to begin to think about how your ideas fit together. You can do this by typing subheadings above the sections of your draft.

If you’re having trouble figuring out how your ideas fit together, try beginning with informal subheadings like these:

• Introduction  
• Explain the author’s main point  
• Show why this main point doesn’t hold up when we consider this other example  
• Explain the implications of what I’ve shown for our understanding of the author  
• Show how that changes our understanding of the topic

For longer papers, you may decide to include subheadings to guide your reader through your argument. In those cases, you would need to revise your informal subheadings to be more useful for your readers. For example, if you have initially written in something like “explain the author’s main point,” your final subheading might be something like “Sandel’s main argument” or “Sandel’s opposition to genetic enhancement.” In other cases, once you have the key pieces of your argument in place, you will be able to remove the subheadings.  

Strategy #3: Create a reverse outline from your draft  

While you may have learned to outline a paper before writing a draft, this step is often difficult because our ideas develop as we write. In some cases, it can be more helpful to write a draft in which you get all of your ideas out and then do a “reverse outline” of what you’ve already written. This doesn’t have to be formal; you can just make a list of the point in each paragraph of your draft and then ask these questions:

• Are those points in an order that makes sense to you?  
• Are there gaps in your argument?  
• Do the topic sentences of the paragraphs clearly state these main points?  
• Do you have more than one paragraph that focuses on the same point? If so, do you need both paragraphs?  
• Do you have some paragraphs that include too many points? If so, would it make more sense to split them up?  
• Do you make points near the end of the draft that would be more effective earlier in your paper?  
• Are there points missing from this draft?  
• picture_as_pdf Tips for Organizing Your Essay

Maintaining Your Focus

Updated June 2022

To focus your writing, you'll need to know how to narrow your focus, so you don't overwhelm your readers with unnecessary information. Knowing who your readers are and why you are writing will help you stay focused.

A Definition of Focus

Kate Kiefer, English Department, Composition Director 1992 -1995 The focus of the text is also referred to as its thesis, theme, controlling idea, main point. In effect, writers tell readers what territory they plan to cover. That's the focus. A focus can be very narrow--as when a photographer takes a close-up of one mountain flower--or it can be broad --as when the photographer takes a long-range shot of the mountain. In practical writing, the focus is often specified for the writer by the "occasion" for the writing.

In their discussions of focus, writers may use several of terms: main point, thesis, theme, position statement, and controlling idea. What these terms have in common—and what focus is all about—is informally known as sticking to the point.

Sticking to the point involves having a clear idea of what you want to write and how you want to write about your topic. While you write, you'll want to keep in mind your supporting details to help your readers better understand your main point.

Coordinating all the aspects of your paper requires you to make each part work with the whole. Imagine your writing is a symphony orchestra in which one out of tune instrument will ruin the sound of the entire performance.

How Audience and Purpose Affect Focus

All readers have expectations. They assume what they read will follow a logical order and support a main idea. For instance, an essay arguing for a second skating rink for hockey players should not present cost figures on how expensive new uniforms have become.

Your audience and writing purpose will help you determine your focus. While it may seem obvious to include certain details, your audience may require specific information. Further, why you are writing will also affect what information you present.

Michel Muraski, Journalism and Technical Communication By articulating the problem, you give yourself focus. You must have done your audience analysis to have asked the question, "What kinds of information does the audience need? What are they going to do with it? Are they going to use it to further their research? Are they going to use it to make a decision?" Once you've identified your audience and what they're going to do with your information, you can refine your problem statement and have a focus. It's a necessary outcome.

Different audiences require different ways of focusing. Let's look at a proposal for a second ice rink in town for hockey players only.

Audience One: City Council

This audience will want to know why another ice rink is necessary. They will need to know how practice hours were shortened due to increases in open skate and lesson hours. They will need to know about new hockey teams forming within the community and requiring practice and game time on the ice. They should also be informed of how much money is made from spectators coming to view the games, as well as of any funding raised by existing hockey teams to help support a new rink. Every detail they read should support why city council should consider building a new rink.

Audience Two: Hockey Coaches and Players

This audience should be informed of the need for a new rink to inspire their support, but chances are they already know of the need. Ultimately, they will want to know what is required of them to get a new rink. How much time will they need to donate to fundraising activities and city council meetings? In addition, they will want to know how they will benefit from a new rink. How will practice hours be increased? Every detail they read should inform them of the benefits a new rink would provide.

Steve Reid, Composition Director 1973-1977 and 1994-1996 Focus, for me, is a term we borrowed from photography. This means we narrow something down to a very sharp image. First, it's a notion of narrowing to something, but also, it's a notion of sharpness and clarity. Focus is one of the things that clarifies purpose. So, once we get a sense of thesis, that helps illuminate the photography image, illuminate what the overall purpose of the paper is.

Your purpose is why you are writing about your topic. Different purposes require different ways of focusing. Let's look at a proposal for a second ice rink in town for hockey players only.

Purpose One: Arguing

Proposing a new ice rink to city council members would require convincing them the rink was necessary and affordable. You would need to acknowledge reasons for and against the rink.

Purpose Two: Informing

Informing fellow hockey coaches and players about a new rink would require telling them of the steps being taken to achieve a new rink. This audience most likely knows most of the issues, so selling them on the idea probably won't be necessary. Give them the facts and let them know what they can do to help.

Don Zimmerman, Journalism and Technical Communication Department Typically, when I'm writing a report for a person out there, I provide them with the information they need to either increase their knowledge or make a decision. When I talk about focus, I really mean targeting. Here's an example. This comes out of a trade magazine. In Nursing '96 , you'll find articles written by nurses for other nurses. They will generally open with essentially two or three paragraphs. They will say, "You know, here is the problem I had as a nurse in this setting." They tend to set them in what I would consider, soap opera-ish kinds of settings. They set up a real-life situation with real people. In other words, "I went into Sally's room and discovered she'd thrown all the covers off the bed, and she was sweating profusely." The article goes on to describe what it was. Then it will come back and say, "Here's the problem. Now we've had a number of patients who did this kind of activity, and we found they fell out of bed. To minimize those injuries, here are three things we've done." Then they will give you the summary and then they will elaborate those procedures. That's very targeted. Targeting influences the kind of language used. This means the nurses in the hospital are dealing with "X" kind of patient and "X" kinds of situation. This means a lot of terms and terminology are used. The other nurses reading about this will understand it because of their interest in that topic; it's going to fit them.

Narrowing Your Focus

Writers who cover too much about a topic often overwhelm their readers with information. Take, for example, an essay focused on the tragedies of the Civil War. What tragedies? Readers have no idea what to expect from this focus, not to mention how difficult it would be to write about every tragedy of the Civil War.

After writers choose a topic to write about, they need to make sure they are not covering too much nor too little about a topic. The scope of a focus is partially dictated by the length of the writing. Obviously, a book on the Civil War will cover more than a 500-word essay. Finally, focus is also determined by its significance, that is, its ability to keep readers' interest.

What It Means to be Focused

Donna Lecourt, English Department What it means to be "focused" changes from discipline to discipline. Say for example, in literature, my "focus" comes through a novel. I want to write about Henry James's Turn of the Screw . On one hand it could come through theory. I want to do a feminist analysis and Henry James's Turn of the Screw just happens to be the text I apply it to, or I might add another text. I might just approach a novel and say, "Okay. Everybody's read it in these ways before. Here's yet another way to read it." I don't have to show that I'm adding to, in some ways, I can show I'm distinguishing or coming up with something new. What my "focus" is, is determined disciplinarily as well as by my purpose. Another example would be a typical research report where a "focus" is what's been done before because that determined what an experiment was going to be about. And so, in some ways, you're not coming up with your own "focus" the way in English, in some ways, you can. You have to look at "X," "Y," and "Z" studies to see what was done on this topic before you can prove your point. Focus comes out of what was achieved before. You have to link what you're doing to previous research studies which is a requirement of a lot of research reports.

Focus is Too Broad

Michel Muraski, Journalism and Technical Communication The biggest conceptual shift in most students is having too broad of a statement and literally finding everything they ever knew about this topic and dumping it into a term paper. They need to consider what they write a pro-active document: a document that's going to be used by a specified audience for a specified reason about a specific area of that broader topic.

Kate Kiefer, English Department, Composition Director 1992 -1995 A broad focus looks easier for students, but it turns out that a narrow focus is generally easier. General articles and essays with a broad focus require lots of background information and a pretty clear sense of the readers' goals in reading the piece. Otherwise, writing with a broad focus tends to result in pretty boring prose. Most academic writing requires a narrow focus because it's easier to move from that into the specific supporting detail highly valued in the academic community.

A broad focus covers too much about a topic. It never discusses the fine details necessary to adequately present a topic and keep readers' interest. A good way to narrow a broad topic is to list the subcategories of the topic. For example, two subcategories of Civil War tragedies are:

• The breakdown of families as a result of divided loyalties.
• How the small details of battle strategies affected the outcome of the war.

When you list subcategories, be careful not to narrow your topic too much, otherwise you won't have enough to write about it.

Focus is Too Narrow

A narrow focus covers too little about a topic. It gets so close to the topic that the writer cannot possibly say more than a few words. For example, writing about gender interactions in one of your classes is too narrow. You can use your class to make a point about gender interactions, but chances are, you'll find nothing specific in the library about your particular class. Instead, you might look at gender interactions in group settings, and then use your class as an example to either agree or disagree with your research. Be careful not to make your focus too broad as a result.

As you refine your focus, check to see if you pass the "So What?" test. To do so, you should know who will read what you write. Readers have to care about your topic in order to continue reading, otherwise they may look at what you have written and respond, "So what?" You need to determine what readers need to stay interested in your writing. Ask yourself why readers will be interested in your specific topic. Is it significant enough to hold their attention? Why or why not?

Reid, Stephen, & Dawn Kowalski. (1996). Maintaining Your Focus. Writing@CSU .. Colorado State University. https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=28