After understanding our own bad writing habits, how can we fix them? Well, what better way to take writing advice than from a UC Davis writing professor, Professor Daniel Melzer, and the writing centers of universities such as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Georgetown University Law. The following advice are from all these sources:
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It is better to write consistently every day little by little than to cram all your writing in one day (Melzer). This way, you have more time to write multiple drafts and let your ideas sink in.
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Make a schedule for your writing assignment. For example, insert time for writing into your calendar (Melzer) or put it in your to-do list about which parts of your writing you want to finish each day (Pitts and Bennett). This ensures that you have ample time to complete your writing assignment, which decreases your anxiety about finishing it.
However, it is important to be realistic with yourself about whether you can accomplish what you planned in your schedule, so you do not feel discouraged if you do not do so (“Procrastination”). For example, if you planned on writing your entire paper in one day (which is probably about 15 hours) because you think you will be able to finish it in a few hours, think again. You probably have other tasks to do during that day that take up more time than you think such as showering, eating your meals, checking and answering emails, walking your dog, etc. You have less time than you think, so it is important to plan writing ahead of time to give yourself enough time to write well.
Many college writing assignments are lab reports or research papers. Therefore, it can be quite overwhelming to even start thinking about writing. Breaking your writing assignment up into smaller pieces makes it more manageable and less overwhelming (Melzer).
Seek help from outside resources such as the Writing Center at your school, your professor, your family, or other students (Melzer). For example, if you are a UC Davis and want help with your writing, check out the AATC Writing Support Center.
Making appointments with these resources well before the due date forces you to set a goal for when you want to finish your writing. It also allows you to analyze your own writing by talking about your writing choices with another person, and their feedback can help you think about your writing from another perspective. Additionally, if you do peer reviews, you can compare your writing to your peers’ and get an idea if you are on the right track.
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Set up a nice environment as you write to get yourself in the “mood” (Melzer) to write. This is different for everyone. According to the survey, some students prefer being alone and in complete silence as they write, while others prefer listening to music or being in a noise and people-filled environment such as a cafe. It is important that your surroundings match what will make you feel more productive and motivated. Personally, I always go to the library (I’m here right now as I write this) because I enjoy being in complete silence.