So your professor just gave you a week to write an essay, on what seems to be the most archaic thing in the world. Or, is the article something really interesting, but you have no idea where to start, because you don’t feel like the authority on it. Well first relax, it’s going to be ok we have all been there and there’s a really big chance that you have been here before too. There are many tips that can help you start and end that essay, not only a high note, but a high grade too.
Initially, let’s face it you’re not going to want to write a 500 – 1000 word essay on the American Revolution, Frankenstein, Global Warming or even the last and worst Star Wars movie. So face the fact that if you don’t do a good job you’re going to get an F, and who likes those.
Using your phones voice recorder is a good way to talk through important details that will make for good content in your paper. Credit: Wikihow
Become the authority
It’s easy to say I don’t know anything about a particular topic, even though you’ve probably spent three hours in a classroom hearing about it. What is important is that you become the go to guy the good old fashioned way- doing some research. Open up Google and go until you reach Page 5 or 6 and just open tabs, see the pop culture side with Buzz Feed articles and look at the more serious ones by news outlets and documentarists. The important thing here is to learn what is truth from fiction in the world of misinformation and redirection, this shouldn’t take up much time maybe 45 minutes to an 1 hour; which we usually waste watching vines.
Make a List
By now you should have a pretty good idea of what the world surrounding your topic is really about. Now make a list of the really important things that are; unforgettable, incredible, horrific, funny or that your professor seems to really focus on or like. This can be done while you’re watching videos or reading the smaller articles online. Either way, ensure that you know what you want to put in the paper.
Smart thinking is a free option that allows you to set up a one on one review session on your essay, or have a professional peruse an essay for you and leave feed back within 24-48 hours. Credit: Smart Thinking
Talk it through
Ever had a moment of clarity when you were dealing with a problem because you were talking to a friend about it: it’s no different here. The essay is proverbially your problem, so talk to someone about it that may have more experience than you. We all have that one friend that knows a ton about the most random facts, talk to them and see where the conversation leads. Remember as well the C.A.V.E (Kirk Hall) and the library have a small army of tutors (some of whom teach), that are willing to hear you out. More importantly record your conversation with them- with permission of course, often times the best and succinct points come up when you’re talking it out. Similarly, talk it out alone and record yourself and your thoughts with your phones voice recorder. Usually the conversations we have in our mind, allows us to juxtapose other’s statements with our own.
Head back to the source.
After you have done some leg work yourself, it’s time to head back to the source, the professor. This is usually a good way to gauge the thoughts you have developed against what is really required from you. Spending one-on-one time with a professor is a good way to guide you into an A – not by sucking up, but by understanding what the assignment is about. Frequently as college students, we write out of the necessity to, and when we do, were not in a good mood about it. Our papers are usually consumed with our personal feelings, which have absolutely nothing to do with what you are going to write about. Talking to the professor or consulting the syllabus and libguides usually puts you into the frame of thinking that will allow your paper to teem with information and coherent thoughts.
Get it reviewed
Those resources like the C.A.V.E and library sure will come in handy at this point. Allow someone else to read and critique your essay, this will ensure you have proper feedback before the submission date. Additionally, as a condition of being at Saint Leo your student email allows you to access the Premium version of the essay reviewing software Grammarly, for free –YES I SAID FREE. Sign up using your Saint Leo email address and you should have access to a tool that will silently review your essay for grammatical and structural errors. Additionally, you have the option of using Smart thinking, a free tool available for you through the courses page (Did I mention it was free?) Press the Learning Tools Tab at the top of the Courses page and scroll down to Online Tutoring, here you can access a FREE human tutor. This option will either set a time for someone to go through your essay with you, or leave commentary within a 24-48 hour window and point you in the right direction.
Don’t be intimidated by an essay or procrastinate getting it started. You will find that not only will you get the essay out of the way, but the grade you want will be in plain sight.
