How to Plan an Essay to Avoid Overwhelm
When finals season approach, some of us may be expressing anxiety about upcoming papers… 🤔 The blank page can feel intimidating, and the process of crafting a thoughtful academic argument often seems overwhelming when you're staring at a looming deadline.
✨ That's why we've created this simple guide to essay planning. because breaking the process into manageable steps can transform writing from a source of stress into an opportunity for intellectual growth! ✨
Pre-Work (The Most Time-Intensive Step!) ⏰
Begin Brainstorming Early 👨🏻💻
Short papers need a few days of preparation plus 1-2 days for writing and editing. Larger papers require several weeks, so plan accordingly when professors introduce topics around midterms.
2. Find Your Focus (btw, click the links for some video tutorials):
Step One: Review your syllabus carefully and stick to the prompt
For research papers: Identify your guiding research question, explore relevant literature, and utilize office hours to refine your research question
For literature reviews: Allow adequate time to explore texts and confirm your selections with your professor
For experiment-based papers: Discuss hypotheses with your professor early
Step Two: Gather Your Sources: Gather and review primary sources or evidence and relevant literature, taking notes as you go:
For literature reviews: Begin reviewing works at least two weeks before writing
For experiments: Start early and document throughout the process
The Writing Process (The Most Intimidating Step!) ⏰
Create an Outline
Map out your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion based on your required word count. This can be a linear structure, diagram or a sketch with connecting lines (whatever works best for your brain!).
2. Write Without Perfectionism
With thorough preparation, writing becomes smoother! Remember that starting is often the hardest part—focus on progress over perfection! Start with a brain dump and go from there.
3. Edit Thoughtfully
Review for clarity, coherence, and correctness after taking a short break from your draft.
You are not alone!
The Accepted Society Writing Groups and Study Sessions provide accountability and support when you need it most. We believe in your ability to create meaningful work without unnecessary stress. Each essay is part of your learning journey- approach it with patience and self-compassion.
