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ASK ELEANOR: Writer's block
Roosevelt Fellows channel their namesake to answer your most pressing questions
Features | 10/2/07
Posted online at 8:15 PM EST on 10/1/07
/ Last updated at 1:03 AM EST on 10/1/07
Dear Eleanor,
My professor just handed out a list of topics for our first paper, and I don't know where to begin. I've never written a paper quite like this, and I'm worried. I've heard he's a really hard grader and this paper is 20 percent of my grade. HELP!
Sincerely,
Worried Renfielder In Terrible
Existential Rage
Hey WRITER,
First paper got you worried, eh? Well, the ninth most admired person of the 20th century is here to help. First, take a deep breath. Find your happy place; bunnies and whatnot. It's important to remember that while papers can be difficult and seem overwhelming, they aren't the end of the world. You've overcome lots of challenges in the past, and you can get through this one, too.
After you calm down, start small, and start early. You aren't expected to just bang out the paper without preparing for it. Look at the topics-which one is interesting to you? What do you know most about? Once you have a topic, start constructing the paper. Do a basic outline of what you need to cover and how you want to structure the essay. Then go back and start filling in the different sections. Put important quotes from your readings under the appropriate headings, and make connections between your ideas. You should find that your outline gets pretty bulky before you even begin to write the first draft-that will just make the actual writing even easier. And if you start early, you will have plenty of time to revise and edit your work to ensure that it meets your professor's standards.
If that doesn't seem to work, WRITER, Brandeis has an excellent variety of resources to help you and any other student in need of academic guidance. Have you thought about talking to your professor about your concerns? Every professor has office hours during the week, and most are also available by appointment. Cases like yours are exactly why they have these office hours, but make sure to go in at least a few days before the paper is due-leaving it to the last minute makes it a lot harder to find help.
If you find yourself still having trouble, the Office of Academic Services offers workshops and personalized academic skills meetings on everything from study skills to time management to presentation skills. And, last but not least, consultants at the Writing Center, which operates out of the Farber library, will help you brainstorm, structure and edit your paper. Appointments for all these resources go quickly, so make sure not to leave it for the last minute.
'Til next time,
Eleanor Roosevelt
Ask Eleanor is an occasional service provided by the Roosevelt Fellows, a group of peer academic advisors named after the former first lady to honor her contributions to Brandeis during its foundation. To have your question answered, e-mail askeleanor@brandeis.edu or visit the Roosevelt Fellows' office hours in the Office of Academic Services in Usdan Student Center, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
My professor just handed out a list of topics for our first paper, and I don't know where to begin. I've never written a paper quite like this, and I'm worried. I've heard he's a really hard grader and this paper is 20 percent of my grade. HELP!
Sincerely,
Worried Renfielder In Terrible
Existential Rage
Hey WRITER,
First paper got you worried, eh? Well, the ninth most admired person of the 20th century is here to help. First, take a deep breath. Find your happy place; bunnies and whatnot. It's important to remember that while papers can be difficult and seem overwhelming, they aren't the end of the world. You've overcome lots of challenges in the past, and you can get through this one, too.
After you calm down, start small, and start early. You aren't expected to just bang out the paper without preparing for it. Look at the topics-which one is interesting to you? What do you know most about? Once you have a topic, start constructing the paper. Do a basic outline of what you need to cover and how you want to structure the essay. Then go back and start filling in the different sections. Put important quotes from your readings under the appropriate headings, and make connections between your ideas. You should find that your outline gets pretty bulky before you even begin to write the first draft-that will just make the actual writing even easier. And if you start early, you will have plenty of time to revise and edit your work to ensure that it meets your professor's standards.
If that doesn't seem to work, WRITER, Brandeis has an excellent variety of resources to help you and any other student in need of academic guidance. Have you thought about talking to your professor about your concerns? Every professor has office hours during the week, and most are also available by appointment. Cases like yours are exactly why they have these office hours, but make sure to go in at least a few days before the paper is due-leaving it to the last minute makes it a lot harder to find help.
If you find yourself still having trouble, the Office of Academic Services offers workshops and personalized academic skills meetings on everything from study skills to time management to presentation skills. And, last but not least, consultants at the Writing Center, which operates out of the Farber library, will help you brainstorm, structure and edit your paper. Appointments for all these resources go quickly, so make sure not to leave it for the last minute.
'Til next time,
Eleanor Roosevelt
Ask Eleanor is an occasional service provided by the Roosevelt Fellows, a group of peer academic advisors named after the former first lady to honor her contributions to Brandeis during its foundation. To have your question answered, e-mail askeleanor@brandeis.edu or visit the Roosevelt Fellows' office hours in the Office of Academic Services in Usdan Student Center, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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