You can’t complete either of these tasks without tools. So what if I handed you a hammer, a saw, and a handful of nails to start building, or a basic paintbrush and a gallon of paint to start your masterpiece?

While you could certainly create something (and sometimes something pretty fantastic) with only basic tools, you’d be able to create a much more polished and professional project if you had the right tools to work with.

The same is true for writing.

A pen and paper or computer and blank screen are the only basic tools you need to be any type of writer. But if you want to create a written masterpiece for your upcoming assignment, try these 14 writing tools for students to help you work smarter (not harder).

14 Writing Tools for Students

In order to write, you don’t always need expensive tools, like a new computer or pricey software. All 14 writing tools for students in the list below allow you to access their basic services for free.

The tools provide help with proper word choice, prewriting, collaboration, time management, organization, citation, and essay writing.

1. Thesaurus

Using a thesaurus doesn’t mean you need to find off-the-wall words that you think will make you sound smart. Using a thesaurus correctly means you should find the perfect word for the situation.

For instance, if you’re writing a narrative essay, writing that you went swimming in blue water isn’t terribly descriptive. Using a thesaurus, you might realize that the water was actually cerulean or turquoise.

2. Dictionary

Don’t underestimate the power of the dictionary. You can, of course, look up words that you don’t know, but you can also use a dictionary to help you write more effectively.

If you’re writing a descriptive essay, for example, you could type the word “hunger” to get the following definition: “a compelling need or desire for food.” This definition might be just the phrase you need to describe your hunger and that you felt compelled to order a footlong extra-large super combo at the local sub shop.

3. Dictionary of obscure words

While a standard dictionary will, of course, contain obscure words too, a dictionary of obscure words might be just the ticket if you’re looking for a few unique words to captivate your audience .

Let’s say you’re working on a creative writing piece about vampires, for instance, and you just don’t want to use the word “blood-thirsty” again. Using a dictionary of obscure words,you find the words sanguinolent (containing blood; bloodthirsty), sanguisugent (blood-sucking), and sanguivorous (blood-drinking)—all of which would be perfect additions to your story.

4. Reverse dictionary/thesaurus

A reverse dictionary or reverse thesaurus is a tool that “lets you describe a concept and get back a list of words and phrases related to that concept” (OneLook.com).

Keep in mind that the generated list from your search may result in a lot of unrelated words too. But if you look at the first few words on the list, the reverse dictionary is usually pretty accurate.

A search for “lose your job,” for instance, returns “fired,” “sacked,” “terminated,” and “canned” within the top nine results.

5. A guide to literary terms

This website offers a comprehensive list of literary terms, and quizzes and flashcards to help you study.

Remember, literary terms aren’t just for literary analysis essays.

Literary devices can be used in most types of essays to strengthen your writing and grab the audience’s attention.

For instance, you could state that the kids you were babysitting acted rowdy, and readers would understand your point. If, however, you use a simile and stated that the kids acted like a wild pack of dogs, your description suddenly takes on an entirely new meaning and creates a much stronger image.

6. EasyBib

Struggling with proper APA, MLA, or Chicago citations? EasyBib offers free citation generators. Simply type in the requested information about your source, and the site will automatically generate a citation. (Make sure to double-check the format when you copy and paste the citation into your essay.)

7. Google Docs

You might think of Google Docs as only a place to type your papers, but it’s also a great collaboration tool.

If you want to have others review your paper, simply send them a link, and they can comment to their heart’s content. Google Docs is a great tool for group work too as you can share ideas and keep notes all in one convenient place.

8. Pomodoro Tracker

The goal of the Pomodoro system is to allow you to focus on the task at hand without distraction and to ultimately increase your productivity.

Here’s how it works: The timer is set at 25 minutes. Use the 25 minutes to work steadily on your writing, and then take a short 3–5 minute break before going back to your project. If you need to work on your project further, work another 25 minutes, and then take another break. (This break might be a few minutes longer than the first.)

While you’re writing, resist the urge to check that text on your phone or pop open a new tab to check on your fantasy football stats—save those tasks for your breaks.

9. My Study Life

If you’ve ever missed an assignment deadline or exam because you simply forgot (or misplaced your paper planner or notes), My Study Life might be just the app you need.

My Study Life allows you to add reminders for assignments, organize your schedule, and sync your schedule to all of your devices. You can even access it offline.

10. Sticky notes

Good old fashioned paper sticky notes will sometimes do the trick. But if you’re working on your computer more than you’re working with paper and pencil, a digital sticky note may be more effective for quick reminders (and they won’t get lost on your way to class, either).

11. MindMup

MindMup allows you to create an unlimited number of mind maps and store them online for up to six months. (The subscription service includes even more features and allows you to collaborate with other users.)

Mind mapping is useful in just about any type of essay writing as it allows you to visually plan out your ideas. Like other graphic organizers, mind maps are great for those of us who hate writing formal outlines.

12. Speechnotes

If your fingers are worn to the bone from typing endless essays, try dictating your paper with Speechnotes.

Simply speak, and the site will convert your words to text.

Keep in mind that you can’t be a speed-talker like the guy below.

You must speak slowly and clearly, but the website can save a lot of typing time. It can also take time to get used to saying “comma” or “period” each time you want to add punctuation, but you have the option of manually typing punctuation if you prefer.

After you’ve dictated your essay (or other assignment), you can copy/paste the text into another program, and continue editing or submit your assignment as you would normally.

NOTE: Speechnotes only works with Google’s Chrome browser, which you can download for free.

13. Flashcard Machine

Though you have to create a free account before you can use this site, Flashcard Machine enables you to create sets of flashcards as study tools.

This site is an excellent option for studying literary terms, of course, but you can also use flashcards to stay organized when writing a research paper.

Use one side of the card for a Works Cited or References page citation, and use the other side to summarize the source or include a paraphrase or quote you might want to include in your paper.

14. Kibin

Did you know that Kibin not only offers this awesome blog (which you’re reading now) but also offers a free thesis generator tool and free paper grader service?

If you’d like more specific feedback on your paper, you can work with a Kibin editor to improve your writing as well. We can help with anything from organization and grammar to citation and style.

And if you’re needing more inspiration to pick a topic or organize your paper, be sure to check out Kibin’s extensive essay database and see how other students have tackled topics that interest you.

Have Tools, Will Write

Even if you’ve been working with all the possible writing tools for students in your toolbox to improve your writing, don’t forget that the Kibin Essay Writing Blog has tons of helpful posts to help you put the finishing touches on your paper. Here are a few you might find useful:

• Avoid These 10 Common Grammar Mistakes in Your Paper
• 5 Punctuation Rules You Need to Know
• How to Improve Sentence Variety in Your Essays (and Why You Should Care)

Did we forget to mention your favorite writing tools for students? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

Answer: Everyone, including you!

Traditional, handwritten “snail-mail” letters might seem like they’re on the endangered species list, but that doesn’t mean that letter writing isn’t alive and well.

Writing a professional letter is a necessary skill for anyone who wants to get ahead.
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Knowing the ins and outs of writing a professional letter is a necessary skill for anyone entering college or the workforce and wanting to get ahead.

You need to know how to format and write a letter if you are…

• Filling out a job application
• Sending emails to professors or potential/current bosses
• Contacting colleagues at work
• Crafting a recommendation letter for someone else
• Writing to elected officials

What your recipient reads is a reflection of you and your ability to communicate.

If you write well, your recipient will take you seriously, and you’re more likely to get what you want: an interview, a job, an internship, a raise, etc. But if you don’t, that letter will probably end up in the trash.

Let’s avoid the trash. Follow these top-five tips on what you can do to make sure you’re writing a professional letter that knocks the recipient’s socks off!

1. Know Your Style

Are you writing to your professor about an upcoming exam? Or perhaps you’re applying for a job and writing a cover letter. Whatever the case, make sure you take the right approach.

There are many types of professional letters out there, and while each will follow a similar structure, they all have different specific goals.

Here are some common types of letters you’ll probably end up writing throughout your career:

• Inquiry/Query letter
• Cover letter
• Thank-you letter
• Follow-up email
• Acknowledgement letter
• Withdrawal letter
• Acceptance letter
• Decline letter
• Resignation letter

2. Pay Attention to Formatting

If you dress professionally for an interview, you’re more likely to get hired. Professional letters also have a strict “dress code” when it comes to formatting correctly.

Because this is formal writing, you don’t want it to look like a text message you’d send to just anyone. There are rules to follow.

A professional letter should be well-written, but you’re not creating an abstract work of art or the next Great American Novel. These letters should be straightforward, polite, diplomatic, and easy to read.

Here are some tips:

• Keep it short—about three paragraphs on a single page will do. Use simple, professional-looking fonts, such as Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial, Cambria, or Verdana. Avoid Comic Sans and other goofy fonts like the plague.

• Your font size should be 10 pt or 12 pt. Any smaller and the recipient will be squinting to read it. If you find you cannot fit everything in one page with 10 pt font, then something has to go.

• Make sure the entire letter text is left-aligned. Use single-spacing for each body paragraph and double-spacing between each paragraph.

• And don’t forget your margins! About one inch on all sides is best.

Helpful tip if you’re using MS Word:

Since 2010, all versions of Word, by default, use 8 pt line spacing (the space between each line in a paragraph), which can cause some formatting headaches. You’ll want to change this back to 0 pt. Don’t know how to do this? Need to change some other spacing issues too? Here’s how.

3. Get the Foundation and Frame Right

A house without a proper foundation and frame will fall apart, and your professional letter is no different. So let’s give it some strong legs to stand on by setting it up right.

All professional letters, regardless of type, should contain the following, in order:

1. Your name and address in the upper left corner
2. The current date
3. The recipient’s name and address
4. Salutation (also known as the greeting)
5. Body (about two to three short paragraphs)
6. Closing
7. Signature
8. Your typed name

Of course, it’s pretty tough to build a house with just the required supplies. You need a blueprint, so let’s take a look at how all of these pieces fit together in the following example.

Hank Venture

123 Compound Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80829

 

July 28, 2018

 

Bruce Wayne

1007 Mountain Drive

Gotham, NJ 10007

 

Dear Mr. Wayne,

The first paragraph of a professional letter should begin with a friendly opening. Immediately transition into the main purpose of your letter. Try to find a subtle way to hook your recipient’s attention.

The second paragraph can go into a little more detail now that you’ve set the stage and introduced your purpose.

Essentially, you’ll be supporting your main point with relevant information (your experiences, background, or accomplishments, for example). This information can vary widely depending on the type of letter.

In the closing paragraph, restate your main point and why it is important. If you’re writing regarding a job opportunity, this can be a good place to request a meeting with the company. Otherwise, thanking the recipient for his/her time and consideration is appropriate.

 

Sincerely,

Hank Venture

 

4. Don’t Forget the Nitty-Gritty Details

The above is the typical way to frame most of your letters, but there are some parts that may need some tweaking here or there, and a lot of that can depend on circumstance.

There are plenty of examples of professional letters out there to help you see how it’s done.

On signatures

In this digital age, it’s becoming increasingly rare to see a signature on many forms of communication, even in the professional world.

That said, if you’re mailing a letter as part of an application packet to a school or potential employer, you should include your signature as part of your closing.

This method is pretty easy. Make sure you add four spaces between your closing phrase (Sincerely, Best, etc.) and your printed name at the end of the letter. Once you print the letter, sign your name in this space, preferably in black ink.

If you’re sending a letter digitally, the signature is less important but can still earn you some style points. If you’re able, write your signature (again, in black ink) on a piece of plain white paper, and scan it.

Crop the scanned image to just beyond the edges of your signature, and save it as a JPEG or PNG file. You can copy/paste or insert this image into your letter with whichever word-processor program you’re using.

Here are some details on adding signatures to Gmail, Google Docs, and MS Office docs.

On enclosures

You may need to use an enclosure line if you’re applying to a school or job and are attaching relevant materials, such as a resume or CV. This is considered a professional courtesy and basically tells the recipient that the other items are included.

Include the enclosure after your signature and printed name. And then list the enclosed items.

Example:

Sincerely,

Philip J. Fry

 

Enclosures:

Curriculum Vitae

Letters of Reference

What about email?

A lot of your professional communication during college and in the workforce will take place over email. But for the most part, you won’t have to be quite so formal as when writing a letter.

That said, some potential employers may have you email your application materials. And if you ever want to write a letter of inquiry about a position, there is a good chance you’ll do so over email.

In these situations, stick to all of the rules above, except for the important formatting changes detailed below.

Subject line

You know that emails should have a subject line, but maybe you’re unsure of what to put on this line when sending a professional email. Unless a job posting or similar situation instructs you otherwise, use the subject line to concisely state your specific purpose.

For example, if you’re writing to a company regarding a potential opening, you might try something like this:

Team Coordinator Position Inquiry

In just a few words, this line tells the recipient exactly what you’re writing about.

Body text and closing

In an email, you may forgo the address and date at the top of your message. Just start with the salutation, write your body paragraphs, and end with your closing.

You may include your digital signature following the closing phrase. Then type your name as you would in a traditional letter, and include your contact information below this.

That’s really all there is to it! But if you want more info on writing professional emails, head over to How to Write a Professional Email … Like a Professional.

5. Walk the Walk

So you’re ready to start writing that letter, right? Not so fast!

You’re almost there, but let’s talk about what really sets a good first impression when you’re writing a professional letter: showing off just how professional you are. Here’s how it’s done.

Research!

I can’t stress this one enough—don’t start writing a professional letter without first looking up the specific person you should be writing. If you’re applying for a job, doing this shows that you’re willing to go beyond the bare minimum when reaching out to the company.

You can usually find information about an HR/talent manager by looking on a company’s website or LinkedIn. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to call the company to ask for the name and contact info of this person.

And always make sure you’re spelling the person’s name correctly. This small step can really make all the difference.

Doing your homework on a company can also help you figure out what kind of language you should include in your writing. Many companies will post their mission statements or values on their websites, and this can give you an idea of what a company’s culture is like—cater your writing to this.

Use the right tone

The way we write affects how others perceive us. If you want to appear professional, you have to write using the appropriate tone. Here are some pointers to help you out:

• Write complete sentences.

• Write simply and concisely. Don’t use a lot of flowery, descriptive language.

• Be confident and enthusiastic, not hubristic or self-deprecating.

• Avoid slang, jargon, and curse words.

• Be politically correct. Sexist and other biased language, for example, will not be tolerated.

• Avoid using exclamation points.

• Humor is subjective, so don’t try to be funny or sarcastic.

• Be accurate. If you make any claims, be sure to fact-check yourself.

• Avoid contractions (they’re, don’t, etc.).

• Avoid cliches.

• Don’t repeat yourself. The letter is a small space, so the recipient shouldn’t be reading the same thing over and over again.

• Always proofread your work for spelling and grammatical errors.

Most of All, When Writing a Professional Letter…

Slow down and take your time with the writing.

These letters are meant to represent who you are as a person and professional scholar or employee. It took a long time and a lot of work to get you to this point, and your writing should be carefully crafted to show this fact to your recipient.

When you sit down to write that first draft of your letter, don’t forget to one of Kibin’s professional editors take a look. They can help your letters (and resume!) stand out and show off just how awesome—and professional—you really are.

Why? Because free salsa is usually pretty bland. It lacks heat–in this case, in the form of jalapeno or habanero peppers–to set your mouth on fire.

If you’re not careful, your essay might end up like free restaurant salsa–bland, with little flavor, and most people looking for something more.

Don’t be bland salsa.

Be the zesty, spicy, set-your-mouth-on-fire salsa that so many crave.

How do you turn bland writing into spicy writing? Try incorporating a few of these 15 rhetorical devices.

What Are Rhetorical Devices?

Rhetorical devices are the different methods you use to not only spice up your writing but also express your ideas, convey your message, and persuade your audience.

Rhetorical devices, though, aren’t always used to persuade.

They’re often used to elicit an emotional response from your readers. (You know, something that tugs on your heart strings like the ads with puppies shivering in the cold or the political spot that makes you angry enough to get off the couch and go vote.)

Why Should You Use Rhetorical Devices?

Let’s think back to mild vs. hot salsa. Sure, mild salsa gets the job done. It tastes pretty good, and it’s certainly more flavorful than eating a plain, salty chip.

Hot salsa, though, is different.

It’s fiery, hot, and unexpected. Each bite offers something new, and you’re eager to keep eating to experience all of the flavors.

Using rhetorical strategies in your writing is like hot salsa. Rhetorical devices add flavor, interest, and excitement.

Rhetorical devices add flavor, interest, and excitement to your writing.
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You can use rhetorical devices not only to add interest but also to clarify information, add humor, emphasize specific passages or ideas, or make your writing more memorable.

Ready to spice up your writing? Let’s get to work.

15 Rhetorical Devices That Will Spice Up Your Essays

More than a few of the devices on this list might be new to you. And if your knowledge of Greek and Latin is as limited as mine, you might have trouble pronouncing at least a few terms. Don’t worry too much about the pronunciation, though.

Focus instead on the definitions and examples. Then consider how you might incorporate them into your own writing.

#1 Alliteration

Using words with the same (or similar) beginning sounds:

On Friday, we had fabulous, fiery, fiesta salsa.

#2 Anadiplosis

Repeating a word or phrase at the end of a sentence or clause at the beginning of the next:

Their dinner was the beginning of a long dining nightmare, a nightmare that would last for hours.

#3 Antanagoge

Contradicting a negative comment with something positive:

The enchiladas I had for dinner last night were the worst I’ve ever eaten, but at least the company uses only locally sourced products.

#4 Apophasis

Bringing something to readers’ attention by dismissing it or pretending to deny or mention it:

I’m not saying that it was the server’s fault that it took over an hour for us to receive our drinks, but I did see him, on more than one occasion, standing around doing nothing.

#5 Brachyology

Using a grammatically incorrect abbreviated expression:

Morning. Lunch this afternoon?

Think of it as text-speak. You don’t need to use complete sentences to get your point across.

A word of caution before breaking the rules: While this device might work well in fiction writing or in some academic writing, many professors won’t be too happy if you use this device and decide to write your essay in grammatically incorrect sentences.

Need to brush up on your grammar to make sure that you’re using grammatically incorrect writing on purpose? Read this article to learn more about avoiding grammar mistakes.

#6 Chiasmus

Using words in the reverse of grammatical order to create a stylistic effect or create emphasis:

If you go out to dinner with us, enjoy it you will.

If you want more examples of chiasmus, listen to Yoda. Chiasmus is his favorite rhetorical device.

#7 Germinatio

Repeating words (or groups of words) within the same sentence:

She loved the tacos at the food truck on 5th Avenue so much that she ate them every day for every meal, every time she visited the city.

#8 Litotes

Using an understatement to state the obvious through a negative, double negative, or opposite comment:

This restaurant certainly doesn’t serve a bad piece of pie, does it?

Need to polish your paper?

Let our expert editors help.

Yes! Edit my essay.

#9 Metaphor

Comparing two things without using “like” or “as”:

By the time we sat down at our table, we were hungry lions waiting to feast.

#10 Polysyndeton

Using several conjunctions (like “and”) in a row when they could be omitted and replaced with a comma:

She ate and drank and laughed and enjoyed her birthday celebration with her friends.

#11 Pleonasm

Using redundant words to create emphasis or stress a point:

I couldn’t believe that I saw it with my own eyes!

Take note: In academic writing, redundancy is often frowned upon. If you decide to incorporate this rhetorical device, make sure it’s clear that you’re being redundant on purpose and that you’re not simply being wordy.

#12 Rhetorical questions

Asking questions when you really don’t expect answers:

Why would anyone order quesadillas tonight when it’s 2-for-1 Taco Tuesday?

#13 Simile

Comparing two things using “like” or “as”:

When we finally got our soup, it was cold as ice.

Similes and metaphors are common rhetorical devices used in literature. If you’re interested in learning more, read 15 Literary Terms You Need to Know to Write Better Essays.

#14 Synathroesmus

Using a series of words (usually adjectives), often to blame or insult someone:

He was a snobbish, rude, arrogant host who acted like we weren’t good enough to eat at the restaurant.

#15 Tricolon

Using a series of three parallel words or phrases:

I came. I saw. I conquered.

Feeling Spicy?

Ready to kick up your writing a notch and use a few rhetorical devices to spice things up but not quite sure where to start?

Try a few practice rounds before you try it out on a new essay. Review one of your previously written essays and look for places that you might include rhetorical devices.

You might also take a look at these examples essays to see if you can identify any rhetorical strategies used by the writers (or where you feel they might include them).

Feeling more bland than spicy? Afraid you took it too far? Let a Kibin editor check your work.

Over the next 20 or so years of his life, Tolkien wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, drawing inspiration from his native English countryside and family trips to places like the Swiss Alps.

The idea for the antagonist Smaug most likely came from the dragon in the ancient English poem Beowulf. Meanwhile, the dwarves that inhabit Middle-earth are similar to the ones from Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

It’s also been said that the language used in each of Tolkien’s stories was inspired by Old Norse sagas from Iceland. And the idea for the iconic ring came to him during a visit to an archaeological dig.

And I’ve heard Sméagol was inspired by a chin wag with some gobby bloke at a chippy who was clearly off his trolley serving fish with no taters, precious.

Okay, I made that last one up. But it seems plausible.

The others are true, however, which goes to show you the myriad ways in which a writer can be inspired.

So today let’s look at 13 surprising sources of inspiration for writing, no matter whether you’re writing an essay or a work of fiction like Tolkien’s.

1. Films and Theater

Just as Tolkien was inspired by other sources when creating his stories, you can find inspiration in films and plays when writing a story or an essay.

Art is imitation of real life. There are many films and plays based on real experiences or historical figures.

While watching, you may find yourself interested in learning more about the time period, historical events, or people depicted on the screen or stage.

And nothing fuels a strong essay or story like curiosity.

2. Documentaries

While films are fictional representations, documentaries are nonfictional. Where a film might inspire you to do research on a subject, a documentary provides factual information on the subject up front.

If the subject matter of a documentary is of interest to you, then you already have one source at your disposal before the research even begins in earnest.

3. Podcasts

Podcasts are often similar to documentaries but in audio form. It blows me away just how many podcasts there are out there on every subject imaginable: science, history, politics, and plenty of weirder fare.

A personal favorite is This American Life. There are so many amazingly interesting stories on various subjects explained through a more personal lens.

I’ve used it as a source of inspiration for writing for years, and I encourage you to do the same.

4. History

As they say, real life is stranger than fiction. There are generations of compelling stories in our past, and then some.

Check out the History Channel, go to a museum, or even pick up an encyclopedia and turn to a random page. There’s no telling what you will find.

For an even more interesting perspective, look for personal history. Talk to your grandparents, go to a yard sale and read people’s old letters, or grab a free trial at a genealogy website and take a look around.

5. News, Politics, and Current Events

History is made every day. A surprising source of inspiration can be the news and politics of today. Things that are unprecedented and controversial happen almost on a daily basis, it seems.

By staying in touch with current events, you may find the thread of a story or essay about the connection between today and the past, and what it means for the future.

6. Science and Technology News

Not only is it interesting to learn and write about where we have been, but it’s just as interesting (and more so if you ask me) to explore where we’re going.

The rate of scientific and technological advancement in this day and age is hard to believe. There are stories every day about things seemingly pulled from a science-fiction novel.

These stories and advancements can be great fodder for a piece of fiction or inspiration for an essay on our historical and future progression.

7. Reading

One of the best ways to get inspiration for a story or essay is to read other works of the same type. For example, if you want to write a good short story, you should probably read a lot of short stories first.

This will not only help you to learn how to write a story properly but also can inspire you to explore your own ideas.

The same goes for academic papers. If you want to write a strong essay, then you should probably read some essays. This seems like common sense, but students are rarely given the opportunity to read examples of the works they are supposed to produce.

Reading example essays provides inspiration for your writing—and helps you write stronger essays.
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However, Kibin has its own Essay Database that you can check out to learn how to write a great essay and get some inspiration for writing.

The Kibin blog even has some annotated essay examples to show you what’s good and what’s not in various types of essays.

8. Nature and Meditation

Nowadays, we’re bombarded with sights, sounds, and screens. It’s even easy to go an entire day without being silent at all! It’s hard to know what effect this has on our brains and bodies.

However, I think it’s safe to say that a little silence, whether it’s in the park or in your bedroom, can go a long way toward clearing your head. There are numerous ideas already swimming in your brain. Sometimes, you just need a quiet place to hear them.

9. Dreams

One way that these ideas swim to the surface is through our dreams. There are numerous writers who have found inspiration in their dreams. Stephen King comes to mind. Can you imagine that guy’s dreams?

Dreams can help us not only come up with new ideas but also break out of our writer’s block. However, our nighttime thoughts can be fleeting, so try keeping a dream journal next to your bed so that you can jot down anything that comes to mind.

10. Travel

Seeing and doing the same things day after day can be rough on your creative spirit. Breaking out of your bubble and seeing something new and different can inspire you in ways that you never imagined.

And this doesn’t mean you have to go to the airport and buy a ticket on the next flight in some dramatic gesture. Sometimes a day trip to the state park an hour down the road will be enough to provide some inspiration for writing.

11. Community Involvement

Just as traveling and seeing something different can inspire you, so can meeting new people and getting to know them. Volunteering in your community is a great way to meet people you may not have another opportunity to meet.

Moreover, doing so broadens your horizons, allowing you to be a bit more open to the world and its inspiration.

12. Social Media

While social media can be a distraction from your writing—or worse, a detriment to your mental health—it can also provide inspiration for your writing if used the right way.

Social media can be a gateway into the lives of people from different communities, states, and countries. It can teach us about cultures that would otherwise be out of our reach. It can even inspire a good thesis statement.

Just use it sparingly, and be careful to avoid the nasty stuff.

13. Interviews With Writers and Artists

You can learn a lot about writing by reading, listening (see source #2), or watching interviews with established writers. These are people who have spent years coming up with a process that works well for them.

If you feel stuck on your essay or story, try learning from the masters. They might just inspire you.

Bonus Source of Inspiration for Writing

And of course, don’t forget that Kibin has a cadre of professional writers and editors who would love to read your essay and provide feedback.

And who knows? They might just inspire you.

But you’ll need something more effective than that double-shot of espresso to get you through those rough drafts and revisions. Let this blog post be your writing survival guide to help you kick off a good school year.

I’ll walk you through what to expect from writing in college vs. high school, tools for success, and resources you can use to help you build confidence and ace those essays.

The Big Leagues

While writing experience and skill can widely differ from one student to the next, you can usually count on one major truth for everyone when it comes to writing in college—it’s more difficult and complex than high school writing.

High school essays…

• Are typically written using the more simplistic five-paragraph structure.
• Are usually expository, meaning they explain a topic to show that you’ve read the material.
• Seldom require research outside of what you can find on Google.

College essays…

• Require writing beyond the five-paragraph structure. You’ll often be expected to write enough to fill three to seven pages, depending on the course requirements.
• Test your ability to analyze. If you write a narrative essay, you’ll need to reflect on a personal experience, not just describe it. A research paper will require you to argue a specific point of view on a topic.
• Need evidence—particularly for argumentative writing—to reinforce your point of view. You will learn and be expected to use scholarly sources from academic databases.

In a nutshell, you should expect to spend more time on your college-level essays than you would on your high school ones. It will take some time to adjust to these new expectations, but your professor should guide you through this process.

Expect to spend more time on your college-level essays than you would on your high school ones.
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Great Expectations

Because writing in college will be tougher than it was in high school, you can safely bet that your teacher will have higher expectations of you as a student.

It’s common for each prospective college student to take an essay-based placement exam, which places you in a writing course that matches your skill level.

So whether you have trouble with grammar or speak English as a second language, you should end up in a class with a teacher who understands your unique needs as a writer.

That said, the quality of work you turn in will ultimately rely on how well you follow instructions and apply yourself. So it’s good to know what you’re getting into in advance. Work on essay-writing skills ahead of time, and you’ll be better prepared.

Here’s what your teacher will expect from you as a college-level writing student.

Knowing the syllabus

Your class will almost certainly have a syllabus. Read it. Understand it. Ask your teacher about anything that confuses you.

A course syllabus not only outlines the expectations of you as a student, but also should give you an idea of what you need to do in order to write successful essays.

Following the rubric

The syllabus or course workbook should have a grading rubric that breaks down the items that make the difference between a paper that fails, meets expectations, or passes with flying colors.

Editing and revising

Should you write more than one draft of each college-level essay? YES!

Your teacher will grade your essays under the assumption that you’ve taken the time to brainstorm, outline, and write a rough draft of your essay before editing your work into a polished final revision that aims for the “big A.”

At the very least, your teacher expects you to proofread to eliminate misspellings, punctuation errors, and problems in sentence structure.

Even strong writers need to go back and review their work. Simple mistakes can cost you points and even be the difference between a “B” and “C” grade, so don’t skip these vital steps!

Supporting the “why”

Because college essays come with the added expectation of claims, analysis, and support, your teacher will be grading your work with this in mind.

This can be tricky territory because there are different types of essays. Depending on which one you’re writing, you may have to shift your approach to meet these expectations.

Remember: college essays are not book reports. You won’t just be recounting what you read or watched to show that you’ve done these tasks.

Instead, your essays will dig further into your ideas, opinions, arguments, and the way you justify your thoughts.

In essence, your writing in college shows that you can think critically about issues or the way you see the world and that you can back up your thoughts with solid evidence or reasoning.

Effective college writing requires you to think critically and use solid evidence and reasoning.
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Here are some common types of college essays and what your teacher will expect from them.

Narrative

In this type of essay, you describe a significant event in your life, but there is a little more to telling a story than just listing the events from A to B. You’ll also need to reflect on the event and tell the reader why the event matters to you.

Compare and contrast

A compare and contrast essay will have you describe two different topics and break them down by their similarities and differences. It sounds pretty straightforward, but there are proven ways to get the job done when it comes to these types of essays.

Analysis

This essay type is usually the toughest for most students. When you analyze a topic, you’re doing so much more than just describing it. Instead, you explain to the reader the prevalent themes within a topic, the relationships thereof, and why they matter.

Argumentative

An argumentative paper does just what it suggests—you argue for one side of an issue by providing your main claim, the thesis. Then you explain to the reader why your claim is valid while supporting it with citations from established scholarly sources.

Want to see examples of these different types of essays? Check out the Kibin Essay Examples Database!

Supporting your claims with evidence (citing)

When you’re writing argumentative or research papers in college, your teacher will expect you to reinforce your claims with supporting evidence.

This evidence comes in the way of citations—quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing the words of scholarly articles—that provide proof that your claims are valid.

You will probably be taught how to cite sources in whatever method is most appropriate for the type of course you’re in. But if not, your textbook should have a comprehensive guide on how to do this. Use it!

English classes usually require MLA format, whereas a number of courses may require APA.

Your teacher will also expect you to correctly cite your sources. Your textbook’s guide should break this down in two items:

Parenthetical in-text citation: This is when you use parentheses at the end of your cited material in the essay itself.

Works Cited/References page: For each source you use in a college essay, you will have to provide a complete citation on a separate page at the end of the essay that tells the reader where the information came from.

In lieu of your textbook, the Purdue OWL has pretty great up-to-date guides on how to cite sources—both in-text and on a Works Cited or References page—on its website, complete with examples to help you out.

Writing in your own words

On day one of classes, your teachers will probably emphasize that plagiarism is akin to a high crime in the academic world, that it comes with dire consequences—including failure of a paper, maybe even the course—and possible expulsion from the university.

It’s best to take them at their word and don’t ever plagiarize, which is when you try to pass off someone else’s work as your own.

Most teachers are pretty good at spotting this, and many universities require you to submit your papers to plagiarism-checking databases.

This is why citation is important. But even in those essays in which you’re citing others’ work, you need to balance this so that most of the writing is in your own words. The teacher expects to see your ideas and reasoning, not someone else’s.

A tip on citations: Usually 1-3 citations per page is fine, provided that they don’t make up most of the writing on those pages. You also don’t want to overly rely on just one source. One or two sources per essay page is typical.

Resource Roundup

If all of the above sounds overwhelming, don’t fret! A lot of this will come to you in bits and pieces over the duration of your course. Improving your skills will be a learning process. It will take time and work, but it can be done!

And you’re not alone in this process. You have human and written resources at your disposal to help you with your writing. Make good use of them, and you’ll likely do much better than if you hadn’t.

Your workbook and textbook

This may seem pretty obvious, but if you don’t keep up with your readings, you’ll soon find yourself lost. These books were designed specifically for your class and are meant to prepare you for success.

These texts usually come with exercises that are especially helpful if you struggle in certain areas of writing, whether it’s grammar and structure, or logic and analysis, etc.

If you find yourself struggling with a particular concept or technique, it’s a good chance these books have practice work to help you improve.

Your teacher

Your college teachers aren’t only available during class time. Most hold office hours each week in which you can visit them to discuss your work and ask for help in areas where you’re having trouble.

Even if their hours don’t match up with your schedule, you can request a meeting at a time that works for you both. Just be polite when asking, and definitely don’t be afraid to ask!

Building a good rapport with your teacher can be super-helpful for when times get tough.

Classmates, friends, and study groups

College should feel like a community. Early in the semester, reach out to your fellow classmates or friends, or sign up for study groups that focus on essay writing.

Your peers can look over your work and help point out issues you may have. Doing this for them will give you practice too!

Writing labs

Most universities have some kind of writing lab or center where you can walk in or schedule an appointment to get help with your essays.

You should keep in mind that, while the people who work there can help you with grammar, sentence structure, ideas, and argument, they will not edit or write your papers for you.

The library

Sure, you’ll probably do almost all of your work on a computer, but the library can come in handy when you need help finding sources for your papers.

Librarians are super-helpful sources of knowledge and can guide you to resources you may not have found on your own. They can also help you navigate your university’s scholarly databases when you’re having trouble.

Kibin

Of course, Kibin will always be here to help you when it comes to editing your papers and showing you how to improve your writing in all areas. Don’t forget to give us a try!

Writing in College: The Takeaway

Writing in college can and should be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it has to be frustrating or impossible. Like anything that may not come easy to you, if you practice, try new methods, and seek help when needed, you will get better.

Many students don’t do well on their first couple of college essays because high school writing hasn’t prepared them for this new challenge.

If this happens to you, it’s not time to worry—it’s time to take action.

Even if you fail your first college essay, try not to be discouraged. Instead, think of this failure as an opportunity to learn which areas you’re already strong in and which you need to work on to do better next time.

If you need some extra help understanding what you need to do to improve your writing, meet with your teacher. Teachers can guide you and help you reach their expectations when it comes to your work.

And as always, Kibin’s editing service has your back to help you succeed in this process!

I get it. There are all sorts of reasons that you might hate writing an essay.

Perhaps you struggle to start your paper and can’t get over the writer’s block hump, or perhaps you hate the thought of hours of researching.

Maybe writing just isn’t your thing, and you’re a numbers person who would rather solve complex equations and move around numbers rather than letters. Or maybe you’re a hands-on kind of person who would rather do something far more physical than moving your fingers across a keyboard.

Whatever your reason(s) for not particularly enjoying writing, the hard truth of the matter is that, if you’re a student, you’re going to have to write essays (and lots of them) before you graduate.

So if you have to write an essay, why not make it a little more fun, right?

5 Hacks to Make Writing an Essay Way More Fun

There are those of us who love nothing more than to sit down in front of our computer, or go old-school with a pen and notebook, and start writing.

But let’s face it, even to the writers of the world, writing an assigned essay about the impact of, say, Camel cigarette ads may not always be what we want to write about, either.

Sometimes even writing lovers need to find a way to make essay writing more enjoyable.
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Sometimes even writing lovers need to find a way to make writing an essay more enjoyable.

Maybe you’re a writer who loves to tell a good story but hates research papers. Maybe you’re a student who needs a way to make writing an essay a little less painful. Or maybe you just can’t stand writing and are looking for any way to get through another paper.

Whatever brought you here, check out these tips to make writing an essay way more fun.

#1: Have a positive attitude

Attitude is everything. If you go to a movie and think it’s going to be terrible, there’s a good chance that you will try to find any tiny little flaw just to prove you were right.

If, on the other hand, you go into a movie with an open mind and a positive attitude, you might be surprised at how good the movie is and how much you actually enjoy the experience.

The same is true for writing essays.

Don’t automatically assume that because you hated analyzing poetry three years ago that you’ll hate it this time around. Give it a chance. You might find that The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is a lot more interesting than you originally thought.

If you’re more pessimistic and a positive attitude about writing is about as common as a cool, refreshing stream in the desert, try a few motivation techniques.

For instance, you might create a chart to break down larger writing assignments into manageable chunks. Check off each step as you move through the writing process. This will help you visualize your progress and help you stay motivated.

This strategy also helps you look at the positive aspects of completing your essay. Let’s say you struggled with finding a topic for your research paper, but you finally decided that you’d write about the history of camels as a mode of transportation in the desert.

Don’t feel pessimistic about the fact that you still have to actually write the paper. Celebrate your accomplishment!

Reward yourself with a treat, like watching an extra episode of Orange Is the New Black. (Note that I said an “extra” episode. Don’t slack and binge-watch entire seasons.)

#2: Take any topic and make it fun

I know there are times when your prof assigns a topic (like an analysis of the climate on campus given the college president’s resignation), and like it or not, you have to write about it.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way to make the topic more fun to write about.

For instance, if you have the opportunity to write a light-hearted piece, you might write about how the food service workers really liked the president, and now that she’s gone, sadness lingers in the air. Even the pizza tastes like sadness. Life in the dining hall just isn’t the same.

If you need to write a more serious analysis, consider an aspect that hits close to home.

If the president’s resignation directly affects the football team and you’re the star quarterback of the team, then you have an obvious personal connection. You’ll have more fun writing about the topic simply because you’re interested in it.

Try a fun and unique approach to the topic by writing about how the search for a president is like a search for a coach. Consider which personality characteristics they have in common and what jobs skills both need to be successful at their jobs.

#3: Create a writing ritual

Our lives are full of all sorts of rituals that we look forward to. These are the rituals that just make life more fun, like getting an iced coffee after spin class or grabbing a burger every Thursday after karate.

Who says you can’t do the same with writing?

If you enjoy a long walk in the woods, through your neighborhood, or on the treadmill, schedule a writing walk. Then use the time to do some thinking and planning for your paper.

Maybe you need a little mood music to help you write your masterpiece. Create a writing playlist of some favorite tunes to spark some creativity—and only listen to it while you write.

Perhaps you love smoothies. Choose essay-writing time to enjoy your favorite berry blast smoothie. This way you’ll associate writing an essay with getting to have a cool, refreshing berry delight.

Interested in reading more about writing rituals? Read A Devotion to Writing Rituals.

#4: Make it a game

You might think that playing games with your grades is definitely not fun, but don’t shoot this idea down just yet. Remember, we’re keeping an open mind here.

Let’s say you do like games, and you do like challenges. Think about games you play to win badges. Your goal is to accomplish a specific task or reach a designated score.

Try it with essay writing.

Challenge yourself to write a specific number of words each hour or each day, set a goal of locating a certain number of sources for your research paper before a chosen time of day. Or challenge yourself to write an awesome thesis statement in 20 words or less.

If you’re even more competitive, challenge your friends. (The loser, of course, buys iced coffees or burgers.)

#5: Write like a kid again

When I say “write like a kid again,” I don’t mean that your writing should sound like a third-grader wrote your essay. I mean that you should let loose and have some fun creating it.

Remember when you were a kid and your teacher assigned all sorts of fun crafts, drawings, and projects to help you outline ideas, prewrite, and understand your assignments?

Reach back to those techniques to help you have more fun with essay writing.

Here are a few suggestions to bring the fun back to writing an essay:

• If you love crafts, why not create an outline or draft paragraphs by hand on pretty scrapbooking paper? You can literally cut, paste, and move sections around to help you see how ideas connect. This strategy also works great if you prefer hands-on activities. (You can skip the pretty paper if you like.)

• If you’re business-minded and love to immerse yourself in numbers and spreadsheets, then create charts, tables, or graphic organizers to plan your essay. The structure of these types of tools might even make you forget (at least for a moment) that you’re working with letters rather than numbers.

• If you live for social media, why not make writing a social process? Talk to your friends about your writing ideas, or let them help you with revision. You might even create an entire series of Instagram photos about your writing experiences. Ask your friends to participate too. After all, they’re busy writing the same types of essays!

Let the Fun Begin

Are you feeling a little more energized about your upcoming essay and now realize that writing can be fun?

Okay, maybe it won’t be as fun as playing your favorite video game or going to see your favorite band live. But hopefully, you realize now that writing an essay doesn’t have to be all pain and drudgery, either.

One final tip: Before you start writing, don’t forget to plan ahead. Planning ahead means starting your essay well before the due date. This will alleviate a lot of stress. (It’s more fun if you’re less stressed, right?)

Planning ahead also means saving time to let someone else (like a Kibin editor) provide feedback to help you make sure your paper makes the grade.

Have fun, and good luck with your essay!

But every once in a while, you get that essay assignment that encourages you to write about something you feel passionate about. Something you can sink your teeth into. Something that you know you can write five pages (or more) about.

If that essay assignment involves arguing whether Game of Thrones is better than The Walking Dead, you probably don’t have to worry too much about broaching a touchy subject or offending your readers.

On the other hand, if your essay assignment requires you to write about a more serious and impactful social issue—such as abortion, marijuana legalization, or immigration—you need to be able to write a thoughtful, convincing, and respectful essay.

In need of a little assistance navigating the waters of such subjects? Here are a few tips to help you write about contemporary social issues.

How to Write a Powerful Social Issues Essay

Let me first start by saying that this post is designed to help you write about a specific type of topic (a powerful social issue).

If you’re assigned to write about a social issue but haven’t chosen a topic yet, check out 7 Awesome Secrets for Choosing More Interesting Essay Topics.

Once your topic is firmly in place, consider these tips before writing a social issues essay.

Tip #1: Show some respect

If your grandmother is anything like mine, she has told you (likely more than once) to “respect your elders.” Her words of wisdom ring true not only when it comes to respecting (all) people in your daily life but also when writing essays.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re a blonde, and you read an essay about how the “dumb blonde” stereotype is true. You might be offended, right?

Now think about reading an essay that attacks your nationality, your gender identity, your religious beliefs, or your race. Think about how you’d feel about that writer and how angry you might feel about the writer’s words.

No one wants to read an essay that offends or attacks, so be respectful by carefully choosing your words so that you don’t offend your audience.

For instance, if you’re writing about immigration, using the terms “alien” and “illegal” can be offensive. Instead, use more correct terminology, such as “migrant,” immigrant,” or “refugee,” depending on the context of your discussion.

Being respectful also means avoiding generalizations about specific groups. Don’t assume that all marijuana users are criminals or that all immigrants are “bad people.”

Instead, be careful to clarify that, while a segment of these populations may fall into one category, the groups themselves cannot be generalized into one broad definition or description.

Tip #2: Stay cool

Being passionate about a subject is no excuse for going off on a rant. If you’re ranting about a topic, your essay will sound like one big complaint.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re unhappy about the homeless population who begs for money in your neighborhood.

If your essay simply rants about how you think homeless people make your city look bad, how they shouldn’t bother people, and that they should just go get a job, it does little to solve the problem or rationally discuss the topic. It simply lists a series of complaints.

How do you keep a level head when discussing such a passionate topic? Try listing your concerns and opinions through a prewriting exercise.

This might mean that you list all of your complaints (and angry rant topics). That’s okay. Prewriting lets you get it all out of your system before drafting. Then you can objectively examine your key points and decide which information is appropriate for your paper.

Once you’ve drafted your social issues essay, make sure to revise your paper. This will give you another chance to review your work to make sure that your arguments are solid, rational points rather than mere complaints.

If you want some help determining whether your arguments are appropriate, get additional help from the expert editors at Kibin.

Tip #3: Be convincing

In most cases, if you’re writing about controversial issues, you’re writing an argument essay. This means that the goal of your paper will be to convince your readers. You can do that in three ways:

• Create logical arguments
• Choose appropriate evidence
• Avoid bias

Create logical arguments

You might initially think that including anything and everything that seems to even remotely support your argument is the most effective way to convince your readers. But the opposite is actually true.

To be convincing, you must first create logical arguments.

To be convincing in your social issues essay, you must first create logical arguments.
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You can’t argue that legalizing marijuana means it won’t be long before all narcotics will be legalized. One action doesn’t always lead to another similar action or reaction.

This type of reasoning is a slippery slope logical fallacy and weakens your argument. (To learn more about logical fallacies and how to avoid them in your own writing, read 10 Logical Fallacies That Will Kill Your Argument.)

Choose appropriate evidence

Another component of creating a convincing argument is choosing appropriate evidence. Be careful, however, that you don’t cite only sources that support your argument. Also look for sources that argue the opposing view.

Including a strong discussion (and rebuttal) of the counterargument demonstrates that you have examined the argument carefully and aren’t simply including information that supports only your personal beliefs.

Avoid bias

A third component of creating a convincing argument is avoiding bias. We all come to the table with a certain inherent bias, but don’t let your personal biases interfere with your writing.

Here’s what I mean. If you’re a religious person arguing against abortion, you have strong moral and religious convictions. Those convictions can lead to a biased opinion as you present your arguments about why abortion should be illegal.

The same holds true if you’re an atheist who believes in abortion rights or if you’re a non-practicing Christian who falls somewhere in the middle of the argument. Your background and beliefs can change the tone and even the content of your writing.

So keep any biases in check.

In other words, use evidence from your sources—rather than personal, biased opinions—to support your arguments. (Not sure whether your sources are appropriate and don’t contain biases of their own? Read How to Apply the CRAAP Test to Your Essay Sources.)

Tip #4: Be original

When drafting, create a unique and original social issues essay. Don’t rely on the same old, tired arguments that you wrote about in middle school or that your professor has read too many times already. Look for a new approach.

How do you create an original essay? It can be as simple as narrowing your topic. If you’re writing about immigration, for instance, don’t write a basic essay that argues whether the United States should accept immigrants and/or refugees.

Instead, you might write about DACA and argue whether the program should be kept in place, whether it should be revised, or whether it should have never been instituted in the first place.

Writing about something more specific means that you can focus your ideas. It also means that your paper will not only be more interesting to research and write, but also be more interesting to read.

(Remember, an interested professor is a happy professor, and this might reflect kindly on your grade!)

Live in the Present

You’ll notice that the title of this post uses the word “contemporary.” Thus, my final piece of advice is to make sure that you choose a current topic for your social issues essay.

Many social issues have been debated for years. So if you choose one of them as the focus of your essay, make sure you write about a current discussion (unless, of course, you’re in a history class, and the assignment is to discuss the history of such topics).

Not sure where to find current, relevant, and interesting topics? Check out 4 Ways to Mine Social Media for Better Topics to Write About.

Finally—some examples. I know it’s easy to tell someone how to write, but it’s also important to show people how to write. To read a few examples of finished papers about the topics in this post, check out these papers about immigration.

Happy writing!

Stuck on Your Argumentative Essay?

Check Out These Example Arguments

Yes! Show Me Examples.

The SQ3R Method is actually a reading method that will help you:

• Interact with a text
• Retain more of what you read
• Study more effectively
• Become a better writer

These are all wonderful, but they’re not as flashy as a new iPhone app, are they?

But because not everything can be an app, and because you have to do some things on your own, let’s get to work learning about the SQ3R Method.

What Is the SQ3R Method?

The SQ3R Method is a reading technique that will help you become a better reader and thus a better writer.

The SQ3R Method reading technique helps you become a better reader and thus a better writer.
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SQ3R stands for survey, question, read, recite, review. I know that sounds like a lot of work just to read something, but if you follow these steps, you’ll soon realize you remember more of what you read.

Here’s a little more about each step.

Survey

Before you begin reading, take a few moments to survey the text. Look at headings, subheadings, and any vocabulary in bold print. Preview opening and closing paragraphs. If you’re reading a textbook, look at the study questions or chapter summary.

In other words, skim the text, but do so with the purpose of getting a sense of the focus and general ideas presented in the reading.

Question

The questions you ask in this step will depend on your purpose for reading. If you’re reading strictly for comprehension, you might turn headings into questions. Or you might ask questions about the arguments you’re reading.

If you’re reading to study for a test or to answer questions about the topic or chapter, look at study questions before you read. Look at the study guide your professor may have given you or at the questions at the end of the chapter.

If you know what you’re looking for, you can spot the information as you read.

Read

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but remember, you’re not just reading the words to read them. You’re reading with a purpose in mind. You’re actively seeking information.

You might look for answers to chapter questions, for answers to your own questions, or for information suitable to use in your research paper.

If you’re analyzing an article, you might look for even more information, such as how the author uses language or how the author structures and supports arguments.

As you read, don’t forget to take notes on key content to help you not only understand the text more effectively but also help find information when studying or citing information in a paper.

Recite

Ever ask a friend to help you with a problem, but as you talk through your issue you realize you’ve worked through it on your own? That’s because talking out loud and talking through a problem can help you understand it in new ways.

The same is true for reading. Talking about what you read can help you understand the information more completely.

Here’s a chance to do some thinking (and talking) out loud about your reading. Remember those questions you asked at the beginning of SQ3R? Run through them again to see if you can answer them.

Try summarizing out loud or listing key vocabulary words and their definitions. Talking about what you’ve read will allow you to explore the topic and perhaps even answer any lingering questions.

Review

Review your notes, questions, and answers, and maybe even skim through the text again. Complete the review process a day or two after your initial reading. This will help you keep the information fresh in your mind and help you retain more of what you’ve read.

This means no more reading five chapters the night before the test or reading all of the assigned articles just before you start writing your paper!

Need a review? Here’s a graphic for reference:

How Can a Reading Method Help Me Write a Better Essay?

At this point, you might be saying, “Learning to read and remember information is all well and good, but what does this have to do with writing a better paper?”

The answer: a lot.

I’m sure you’ve heard that in order to be a good writer you need to read (and be a good reader). So how does reading help you become a better writer?

If you read a lot, you see how…

• Writers use language
• Arguments are supported
• Writers connect and move between ideas
• Those ideas work together in the larger scope of the topic

Seeing these strategies in practice helps you learn to use them in your own writing.

Learning to read more effectively also means that you’re better prepared when you begin writing.
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Learning to read more effectively also means that you’re better prepared when you begin writing. Take, for example, the argument essay.

Using the SQ3R Method for an argumentative essay

In order to write an argumentative essay, you’ll likely need to support your argument with credible sources. If you use the SQ3R Method as you read your sources, you’ll preview content, ask questions, and talk through the information as you read.

Because you know you’re writing an argumentative essay, you can look for main arguments, key phrases, and information you’ll paraphrase or quote in your paper.

When you’re ready to complete your outline or graphic organizer, you’ll already have an idea of information you can use to support your own arguments.

That’s a heck of a lot easier than trying to write an outline and search through a stack of sources looking for something—anything—that might work to support your arguments, isn’t it?

Using the SQ3R Method for a literary analysis

The SQ3R Method even works if you’re writing a literary analysis.

Because you don’t read research articles the same way you read literature, you should probably skip the survey suggestion of reading the introduction and conclusion first.

After all, you don’t want to spoil the ending of an awesome story or novel.

You can, however, practice the other steps in SQ3R when reading literature. Let’s say you know you have to write an essay about the symbolism in The Tell-Tale Heart.

If you look for examples of symbolism as you read, you can practice the SQ3R Method by asking questions and taking notes throughout the story.

Again, you don’t read literature the same way that you read a science report, so you may not want to stop to take notes during a suspenseful story. You might need to take notes during the second read instead.

Practice Makes Perfect

Whether you’re an athlete, a musician, an artist, a welder, or a writer, you need to practice in order to be good at it. In order to be a good writer, you need to be an active reader.

With that in mind, here’s a chance to practice what you’ve just learned.

Use the SQ3R Method as you read How to Make Connections Between a Text and Your World and Why Avoiding Bias in Writing Is So Important and How to Do It.

Look at the headings, formulate a few questions, and jot down notes as you read. Notice how practicing this reading strategy improves reading comprehension.

Want a longer piece of writing to practice with? Try one of these essays about reading strategies:

• Effects of Reading Strategies for Students Who Struggle with Reading Comprehension
• An Examination of Strategies That Can Be Used by Students on Reading Activities

Don’t forget: Kibin editors have lots of practice helping writers, so if you need some useful feedback on any of your essays, let an editor review your writing.

Happy reading and writing!

Whether you’re writing a timed essay in class or you had some unforeseen circumstance and didn’t start working on your essay until the last minute, it’s important to put that anxiety to the side and focus—and I’ll show you how to do just that.

I can’t write your essay for you, but I can show you the best way to write an essay quickly. And since you’re short on time, let’s jump right into it.

Choosing Your Topic

If your teacher didn’t assign a specific topic and you haven’t already chosen one, you have to pick one yourself. This can often be the first of many stressful steps in the essay-writing process.

You may fear that choosing the wrong topic is setting yourself up for failure. But the only wrong topic is the one that you can’t support.

A good thing to do is spend just a minute or two writing down whatever stuck out to you most in the literature you’re writing about. Did you like (or loathe) a certain character? Did the symbolism jump out at you? What about the foreshadowing?

If you did have instructions with general direction, like “Discuss the symbolism in Lord of the Flies,” you can still create a list of potential topics within the parameters of your essay.

From this list you can choose the one you think you could write about in the most detail. Don’t spend too much time on this task. In this case, you don’t want something you’ll have to do too much research to complete.

Sticking to the parts of the story that you’re most familiar with or that stuck out to you most helps you recall details faster—and faster is what you need.

If you aren’t writing about a specific piece of literature, it might seem difficult to narrow the focus of your paper to a single topic.

Fortunately, we have a ton of topic ideas to help give you inspiration for the following types of essays:

• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Explanatory
• Expository
• History
• Informative
• Narrative
• Position
• Proposal
• Research

For these types of essays, the same advice applies: write what you’re most familiar with. It’ll save you time in the research process.

If you’re still stumped on a topic, see what other students have written about, and draw inspiration from example essays.

Do you have your topic? Good! We can move on to the outline.

Drafting a Quick Outline

Once you have your topic picked out, you may be tempted to go straight into the writing. After all, making an outline is just an unnecessary step in the process, right? Wrong!

Outlines are necessary

The best way to write an essay is to include as much detail as time permits in the outline. This accomplishes three things:

1. Keeps your essay organized. And organization helps you get a better grade.
2. Ensures you don’t forget anything. This means you won’t have to go back and change too much in the end.
3. Lets you write your essay much more quickly. If you deal with the details upfront, you won’t have to worry about flipping through the book with every other sentence you write.

If you have enough detail in your outline, all you have to do when you start writing is turn the details into fuller, prettier sentences and then connect them with logical transitions.

If you need help structuring your outline, here are seven templates to get you started.

How do you write a detailed outline quickly?

Ideally, you took some notes when you were reading through the book. If you did, search the notes, and if you didn’t, flip through your book again.

You’re looking for specific information related to your topic here. If you’re writing about a particular setting or character, you don’t have to look at information for every single scene. You only need to look at the ones in which that setting or character appears.

Another option is getting inspiration from sites like Kibin. There are tons of resources that quickly explain different literary elements of certain novels and plays.

Keep in mind, however, that you probably will not be able to get all the information you need to write your essay from these sites. However, you might find the major plot points, brief character analyses, and major symbols.

Using these symbols and analyses as bases for your outline allows you to get the bigger picture sorted out. Then all you need to do is look through your notes or the literature for support.

What are the essential outline elements?

There are certain elements you’ll always want to include in your outline, no matter how detailed it is or isn’t:

• The hook
• The thesis statement
• Your main arguments
• Supporting evidence
• Main points of your conclusion

Pro Tip: If there’s a part of the outline you’re stuck on, skip it and come back to it later. I usually write my outline in this order:

1. Thesis statement
2. All of my main arguments
3. All of my supporting evidence
4. Conclusion
5. Hook

I view the hook as important, but not as important as the content of the essay. I also have a hard time getting started. So if I just jump right into the meat of my argument, I can write much faster.

You may have more trouble with the supporting evidence or the conclusion. The good thing about the outline is that you’re not investing enough time in it to feel badly if you have to change anything.

Tips for Writing on the Fly

Different types of assignments and different circumstances mean that there’s not just one best way to write an essay when you’re short on time. However, there are a few tips that help in any situation.

First, it’s important that you don’t second-guess yourself too much during the writing process. If you filled out all the details during the outlining stage, there’s no reason to get caught up on organization—all that work is done already.

If you’re stressing out about word choice, just remember: you’re not trying to be Shakespeare—you’re just trying to write a coherent paper.

You’re not trying to be Shakespeare—you’re just trying to write a coherent paper.
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Bonus tips for the best way to write an essay

Use a computer when possible. Unless you’re writing an essay in class, using a computer can save you so much time and hassle. It’s got an automatic (though fairly basic) spell checker and a thesaurus, and you can use the Find function (ctrl+F) if you think you’re repeating words.

Follow your outline like a roadmap. Go from point A to point B, and don’t skip around. This way, you know you’ve included everything, and your transitions will be easier to write.

Pretty soon, you’ll be wrapping up the conclusion and ready for the editing process.

A Fast Guide to Fast Edits

Editing is more than just checking for spelling errors. And the amount of editing you have to do depends on how confident you are in the first draft.

However, even if you’re an excellent writer, everyone makes mistakes (especially when they’re writing quickly). So here’s how to do some quick edits.

First, look at your outline and check to see if you included all the key points from your outline in your essay. This shouldn’t take more than a minute (unless your paper is very long). If you a little time to spare, you could also use a reverse outline.

Then, make sure you run it through a spelling and grammar check in Word or whatever word processor you’re using. After that, give it a final read-through, and correct any mistakes that are still there.

Here’s a few resources on self-editing worth keeping in your back pocket for just such an occasion:

• Avoid These 10 Common Grammar Mistakes in Your Paper
• How to Revise an Essay and Make It Better Than Ever

And that’s it! The key takeaway here: the best way to write an essay is all about being prepared and having a game plan.

If you have find that you’re done before you expected and you have a little time to spare, you can always send your essay to a Kibin editor. We’re available 24/7 and can return your essay in as few as 3 hours.

On the west coast of Taiwan, just north of Taichung City, there is a place called Gaomei where the setting sun takes all but an inch of water with it out to sea.

There, you can take off your shoes and socks and walk into the wetland, feeling the wet clay work its way up between your toes before becoming dry and flaky on the tops of your feet, like late-summer skin.

To the south, giant windmills rise like modern monolithic reminders that society lies somewhere beyond this natural canvas that the sky has been painting for millennia. The winds drift in slowly, cooling your skin and wafting up the musky scent of the seabed.

As the sun dips toward the horizon, the world is splashed with oranges, reds, and pinks. You are drawn to it, walking farther and farther out into the color, losing any indication of where the sky stops and the wetland begins. You can reach down and touch the sky.

With any luck, you can visualize how the Gaomei Wetlands look after reading this story (scroll down for a photo).

The goal of descriptive writing is simple: get your readers to see the thing you’re describing without them having to actually see it.

Although descriptive writing is a pillar of literature, it can also be utilized in your essays to make them more interesting and memorable. So what is descriptive writing? Let’s find out, and see how you can use it to improve your essay.

What Is Descriptive Writing?

Description is to writing what a good BBQ sauce is to pork steak. You can get the job done without it, but the end product will fall far short of its potential.

Side note: If you haven’t had a pork steak, you need to get yourself to St. Louis and get your life changed.

When I was searching for examples of description in literature for this blog post, I thought of “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver. In it, a blind man visits a woman he knows, and her husband (the narrator) has a hard time with it.

The narrator is asked by the blind man to describe a cathedral that’s on TV. He doesn’t do well:

To begin with, they’re very tall…They reach way up. Up and up. Toward the sky. They’re so big, some of them, they have to have these supports. To help hold them up, so to speak.

Can you imagine this guy as a tour guide?

Even though this is not an example of a good description, it does make me think that descriptive writing is a bit like describing an image to a blind person. Because although your readers may not be blind, they cannot see the image you’re describing.

Your written description must be vivid so that your readers are able to visualize the image in their minds without ever seeing it.

Carver himself does a much better job of describing the character:

We didn’t say anything for a time. He was leaning forward with his head turned at me, his right ear aimed in the direction of the set. Very disconcerting. Now and then his eyelids drooped and then they snapped open again. Now and then he put his fingers into his beard and tugged, like he was thinking about something he was hearing on the television.

I’m able to clearly visualize the scene in my head when I read this passage. And that’s what descriptive writing is all about.

If your readers are able to envision what you’re describing in your story, or essay, they will become enveloped in it and be that much more focused on your message.

Keep written descriptions vivid so that readers visualize the image without ever seeing it.
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How to Write Descriptively

So the goal is to transport an image to your readers’ minds. To do this, you should first imagine said image in your own mind or, if possible, look at the image.

Then start breaking that image into parts. Think about how you can describe those parts and how they form a whole. It’s also important to think about the feelings that accompany the image as this is the main thing you will be hoping to pass on to your readers.

Once you do this, it’s time to choose the right words to describe it so that your readers can imagine the same image. This is easier said than done, but you can do it.

Focus on the little details

I mentioned breaking the image into parts. We tend to see a thing as its sum instead of its parts. But if you examine a thing more deeply, those parts start to stand out.

It’s kind of like how you don’t know you need glasses until you try them.

When you write descriptively, you must see the details that add up to form the object. By pointing out these little details, you create a vivid image of the thing as a whole.

Instead of describing the man as simply listening to the TV, Carver explains that he was “leaning forward with his head turned at me, his right ear aimed in the direction of the set.” This is a much more striking image that stays with you as a reader.

Incorporate all five senses

Although your instincts will tell you to focus on how the thing looks, using all five senses in your description can make it much more memorable and vivid.

So instead of describing a tree as tall with green leaves, tell your reader about the rough texture of its bark, the birds singing from its branches, and the sour smell of its discarded leaves beneath your feet.

Use adjectives

This seems like a no-brainer. An adjective is a word used to describe a noun or pronoun. Its whole purpose is description, so obviously you should use them in descriptive writing.

However, you must be careful not to overdo it, especially with common (i.e., boring) adjectives. Try to find ones that will resonate more with your reader. For example, simply describing my nephew as “messy” doesn’t really do him justice.

This will depend on what you’re describing, but take the time to look for the adjectives that best describe the object and convey the feeling you want your reader to have.

Keep your verbs vivid

This same advice can apply to the verbs you use in your writing. Try to use more interesting verbs than the common ones you hear on a daily basis.

For example, in the passage from “Cathedral,” Carver writes that the man’s “eyelids drooped and then they snapped open again.” I find the use of drooped and snapped to be much more vivid than saying they lowered and then opened again.

Where to Use Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing can and should be used in just about every form of writing. Being more descriptive can only help. But here are a few areas where it’s especially helpful.

Descriptive essays

Obviously. A descriptive essay requires you to describe something (an object, a person, an experience, etc.). The goal is to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. Sound familiar?

For more information on how to write a descriptive essay, check out this post.

Sample Descriptive Essay:

A Vivid Description of the Beach

Narrative essays

Narrative essays give you the chance to tell a story. But remember to do that by showing, not telling. This is almost always a personal account of something that happened in your past.

This is the closest we get to creative writing in essays. In fact, you could call this creative non-fiction. And creative writing allows and calls for a lot of descriptive writing as it’s important for your reader to visualize the story you’re telling.

Sample Narrative Essay:

My Poker Experience

Persuasive essays

Persuasive, or argumentative, essays require you to present an argument for or against something. Your goal is to persuade the reader. Descriptive writing can help.

The argument in your argumentative essay will be much more powerful if you vividly set the scene for it. People are more easily persuaded of an argument when they can visualize its effects.

Sample Persuasive Essay:

A Persuasive Essay on Ecology: Live Green!

As you can see, descriptive writing is a great skill to practice and implement in your writing, whether creative or academic. It can take your writing to the next level, like good sauce on a pork steak.

If you need some feedback on how to improve your descriptions, you can send your essay to essay database.

Before I go, how well did I describe Gaomei?

Thanks for reading!