Difficulty writing essays

[Wiesal]

What are some tips to write essays faster? My professor compliments my writing, but writing a good essay (1000 words + research) takes me 5-6+ hours. Is this the norm or am I an unusually slow writer? How can I improve?

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[Turkishking]

I usually take time with my essays too. It's okay to take your time with them. I actually took around 5-6, but I always wrote it 2 days before the due date. I ended up getting a 99.7 in English 2.

 

[coffeeandcodeine]

That sounds pretty normal to me. I can't imagine spending much less time on an essay that requires substantial research.

 

[WunderMay]

Tbh, I think that would be the average time needed when you are taking your time to read and write. I usually research for 2-3 hours, process the information, then write the essay which takes 2-3 hours.

 

[Foodology]

I never expect my writing to turn out well the first time. First I outline my writing and brainstorm. Then I word vomit until I've made something that feels like junk. After a thorough editing 3-5 times, I have different people read it and give me advice. I also have specific questions for my reader. These questions tend to see what the reader gleaned in relation to my message and the goal behind the piece. More edits until the people that read it struggle to come up with ways to improve it. Also, don't be afraid to start from scratch (even after working for a while on a piece). I rewrote my PS many times...

 

[Goro]

If you have voice recognition software, dictate your ideas. Make an outline of ideas so you can move through each thread or theme and so you save time on editing.

 

[Lifeblood_20]

ever expect my writing to turn out well the first time. First I outline my writing and brainstorm. Then I word vomit until I've made something that feels like junk. After a thorough editing 3-5 times, I have different people read it and give me advice. I also have specific questions for my reader. These questions tend to see what the reader gleaned in relation to my message and the goal behind the piece. More edits until the people that read it struggle to come up with ways to improve it. Also, don't be afraid to start from scratch (even after working for a while on a piece). I rewrote my PS many times...

I'm currently adjusting my writing habits and this sounds like what I should start doing - I always take a long time and just write once. I also tend to be reluctant to edit too much/start over.

 

[calimed2017]

a 3 page essay usually takes me 1 hour to write and 1 hour of research, but i'm a humanities major so idk if that matters

 

[Dagrimsta1]

Listen to a nice instrumental soundtrack that can keep you focused and the ideas flowing.

Drafts help if you have the time

 

[Wiesal]

Thanks for the advice guys; I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes 5-6 hours.

 

[Gryffindor20]

5-6 hours isn't bad if you turn out a good essay in the end.

 

[pseud0]

back when i was an idiot in undergrad I used to write my 20 page behavioral science research papers in one night before it was due
This is only recommended for complete *****s like myself.

6 hours for 1000 words + research time is kind of a lot actually (thats like 2 pages in 6 hours)..but if that's what you need to write something worthy of an A then just keep doing it.

 

[Gryffindor20]

back when i was an idiot in undergrad I used to write my 20 page behavioral science research papers in one night before it was due
This is only recommended for complete *****s like myself.

6 hours for 1000 words + research time is kind of a lot actually (thats like 2 pages in 6 hours)..but if that's what you need to write something worthy of an A then just keep doing it.

I thought I was the only one who did this. I wrote my entire senior research proposal and the final research paper in one night while listening to the Les Miserables soundtrack on a loop. Somehow managed to pull As on both. I do not recommend this method.

 

[Lost In Transcription]

This was my struggle too, hence my username.

Try writing out small sentences on sticky notes that you want to uncorporate. Don't focus on making an essay. Then find ideas to connect those sentences. Then flesh the rest out.

I promise it gets easier over time! 🙂

 

[jessicawhite293]

It is normal to research carefully about some of unfamiliar topic. Just do it with your speed

 

[fourandtwo]

I find that the more I write, the faster I can write. Yes, right now you make take 5-6 hours to write a good paper. But when you got a crap ton to write, like 100 secondary essays, you’ll eventually crank em out in no time.

What helped me at first, even though I didn’t end up following it completely, is having a backbone of an essay written out. Every single one of my essays more or less followed this structure.

Main sentence (that answers the prompt). Supporting anecdote. Concluding sentence.

 

[Terry Toma]

I never expect my writing to turn out well the first time. First I outline my writing and brainstorm. Then I word vomit until I've made something that feels like junk. After a thorough editing 3-5 times, I have different people read it and give me advice. I also have specific questions for my reader. These questions tend to see what the reader gleaned in relation to my message and the goal behind the piece. More edits until the people that read it struggle to come up with ways to improve it. Also, don't be afraid to start from scratch (even after working for a while on a piece). I rewrote my PS many times...

"Write a bad first draft" is the best writing advice I've ever received. Start by just getting your thoughts onto paper without worrying about getting everything perfect (or even presentable). Then the real writing takes place after you've had some time to mull over what you've written and you come back to edit/rewrite.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

What are some tips to write essays faster? My professor compliments my writing, but writing a good essay (1000 words + research) takes me 5-6+ hours. Is this the norm or am I an unusually slow writer? How can I improve?

That is normal. First you're figuring out what you're thesis is and what you're going to say. Then writing a rough draft, proofing, writing it out, proofing, maybe having a set of fresh eyes look it over, etc. All of this takes time.