ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
11.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


How to Write a Research Paper – Overcoming Writer’s Block

Author: Ryan Harris Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 19-01-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 12 | Rating:  (52) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

One of the most difficult challenges that students face when writing a research paper is when they first sit down to begin writing, is when they encounter the dreaded “writer’s block”. This article explains what writer’s block is, and discusses three easy ways to get past writer’s block quickly and effectively when writing a research paper.

What is writer ’s block exactly, and how do you know if you are experiencing this problem? Writer’s block has no clinical definition, but generally it is an inability to write, where the words or ideas don’t come to mind, and the writer ends up staring at a blank piece of paper, unable to begin or continue. In some cases, it is caused by anxiety and stress, and be overcome using common relaxation techniques. But more often, it is caused by a lack of preparation or lack of familiarity with the subject matter.

The first tip to overcome writer’s block is to know clearly what you intend to say in your research paper and how you intend to support your thesis. You don’t need to know the exact words yet, but the main structure of your paper should be known. If you have not yet written an outline, do so now. A writer can’t possibly begin to write without knowing the general ideas that they intend to express. If you have done your research, and have notes, review them again, and determine what the goal is for the section of the paper you are attempting to write. Once you know that, you can write your topic sentence. Writing your topic sentence should naturally lead to writing sentences that provide evidence or support for the topic sentence.

Many times writer’s block is caused by anxiety because the writer feels they have to produce eloquent prose right out of the gate. Banish that though! Write crudely if you must, but get your pen flowing or get your keyboard tapping. Don’t worry about eloquence or grammar, just get your rough ideas down on paper, and plan on polishing your prose during the revision process. No one will see your paper until you show it to them, so don’t be self-conscious about your writing skills. The goal is to get your ideas on paper any way that you can. Editing and revising will clean up any mistakes or poor sentence structure. Speak the words out loud at first if necessary, and if they sound ok to you, then start putting them down on paper.

The third way to simply overcome writer’s block is “skip around”, and write on whichever aspect or section of your paper you feel comfortable writing about. No one says that a writer has to start at the beginning of a paper and write until the paper is done. You can start at the end, middle, or anywhere you feel comfortable. If necessary, review your outline, and add additional detail and structure to it. Then pick the section where you have ideas ready, then come back later to the section that was giving you difficulty.

Any student, with the help of these three steps should be able to quickly get past writer’s block and begin to compose their paper. Getting started is half the battle, and with these three tips, getting started should come easily and comfortably.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/how-to-write-a-research-paper-overcoming-writers-block-309589.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
Ryan HarrisAbout the Author:

Do you know how to effectively write a research paper? Are you struggling with a writing assignment? Get free help and advice from an expert at Research Paper Authority. Ryan has a background in both Information Technology and Real Estate, and is an expert on college writing. He is co-founder of Research Paper Authority, a leading free reference resource for college students of all ages who struggle with how to write a research paper, and other common college writing problems. He lives in San Diego, California.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest College and University Articles

Role of Teachers in the World of Online Education
By: Gen Wright | 10/10/2008
How is internet changing the dynamics of learning? And what does a teacher have to do in this fast changing world of online education? Read on.

Juggling Work and School Can Pay Off
By: Cynthia Atoji | 09/10/2008
OntarioHealthCareSchools.com has advice to help people with the trials of going to a local career college or a nursing school while they are working to make money, and how they can get the most advantages from their current employment and education.

A New Occupation Can be the Reward for Balancing a Job and School at the Same Time
By: Cynthia Atoji | 09/10/2008
Healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in the country. Trained nurses with their BSN and RN are in demand. By getting your BS in Nursing or AS in Nursing you can improve your job opportunities and advance your career.

An Exciting New Career Can be the Motivation for Juggling Work and School
By: Cynthia Atoji | 09/10/2008
LAMedicalTraining.com offers the following tips to help students handle the strains of attending a local career college or nursing school while working, and to help students take full advantage of their work and school experience.

Balancing Work and School Can Pay Off in a New Career
By: Cynthia Atoji | 09/10/2008
You can increase your earning potential when you train as a massage therapist.

New Horizons Hosts Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit Dana Farber Foundation
By: Dotty Zukoff | 09/10/2008
Microsoft and New Horizons of Boston, along with Altico Advisors, B2B Contact, Insight, Magenic and Presidio, have teamed up for their Fourth Annual Customer Appreciation Charity Golf Tournament on October 7, 2008.

Career Education Corporation – What is It?
By: Lester Lee | 08/10/2008
The Career Education Corporation is one of the leading providers of education. They have many different programs that you can take. They were founded in 1994 and have a wide selection of schools, colleges and universities that you can choose from. You need to do some research into the CEC Career Education Corporation.

Career Education Services – What Does This Mean for You?
By: Lester Lee | 08/10/2008
College is a lot to deal with and get through. However, there is one powerful tool that you need to take advantage of before you get out of college. That is the career education services. The career services office can help you get your future figured out. This is very important for every student in college.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below