As an essay writer I tend to over think everything I write. Often it is good to over think this, but other times it may just bring me down. For example, I may have a very good thesis statement and good arguments but I would still feel like something is missing or something is wrong. I would spend so much time just focusing on either, the way I stated thing in my intro, what order I should putting my arguments in to make it sound like a stronger point or just even if my thesis statement is good enough period. Once I get going with my essay, once I make it past the intro or the first paragraph I can make it flow, I can make a very good convincing or to the point essay. I may lack in the intro but once I get going I make all my arguments, all my transition sentences, and my conclusion solid.
Essays have never been my strengths. I've never been organized when writing essays. In elementary school we learn about writing out an outline or brainstorming or even just dot notes before starting the essay, but I've never really done the whole "planning" an essay thing. I understand the importance of it but I tend to just rush into my essay without any plan/outline.
Just from reading this blog you can tell I need some organisation skills/an outline before I start writing. I tend to lose my train of thought and drift of into a whole knew topic. I'm going to work towards planning out my essays before I start writing just so my thoughts can be some what organized.
I like that you said that overthinking is sometimes good, because it is. It sounds like you want perfection. I think that maybe using an exam outline to plan all of your thoughts before starting an essay would help you organize your thought right from the get go. Do you think this would help you?
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Mitch!
DeleteI totally understand what you mean. You need to have some faith in the writing process. Commit to writing a rough draft that is truly a rough draft. If, as you're writing, you start to rethink an idea and it makes you want to stop and rewrite, make a little note but move on.
ReplyDelete