Wednesday 25 January 2012

The Essay Writers' Credo

WE ALL have what it takes to be brilliant essay writers.
Lawrence Clark Powell, the late American librarian, writer and critic once quoted, "The good writer, the great writer has what I have called the three S's: the power to see, to sense and to say."
All of us have the power to see, to sense and to say just like those good and great writers! 
Here are seven principles that will help newbie and experienced essay writers to come up with better-quality essays:

1. Never again shall I copy someone else's essay writing style. If I want to stand out from the rest of essay writers, I would just be "my very own writing style." I won't copy the styles of others-I might be better off than them! Neither do I want to be labeled as a plagiarist, one who incorporates the written or creative work of other people to that of my own without the necessary credit.
2. I shall write immediately. If there's an essay writing task assigned to me by my professor, I would do it ahead of time. I will not waste my precious time: I would rather beat the deadline than have the deadline beat me in the nick of time.
3. I will always analyze and focus on my essays enthusiastically. Just like the other essay writers, I will make sure that the essay I am going to write is either in line with my passion or very interesting. I will devote a lot of time to have a full grasp of what I'm going to write, what will be its title, how will I start and end it, and so on.
4. I shall have a draft. I will jot down all the essential details that I want to include in my essays first before having an outline of the other sections. I must have a guide to utilize as a prime point for additional tasks.
5. I will start with a big bang! And that is by writing a very strong introduction, so as to give the readers and my fellow essay writers a clue on what my essay is all about and what they can learn from it.
6. I shall organize my thoughts to make my essays simple. I will not beat around the bush. I'll be straightforward with my ideas instead. I will also choose the simple and familiar words over the complex ones to prevent my readers from missing out any part of my essay.
7. It may sound cliché, but I will shun from using clichés in my essays. I will avoid using tired-old words and phrases. I will be skillful and resourceful when it comes to my choice of words. 
Some people can write an essay even if their eyes are closed; but there are those who find writing essays a very grueling task.

If you're like the latter, don't worry. Because a number of essay writers say that even the best ones need to erase or revise their pieces of writing every now and then.
We cannot all become exceptional essay writers in just a wink of an eye: It really takes time to powerfully convey into writing what we feel and believe in.
So as long as you have the eagerness to learn and do new things, you will succeed in your goals.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Essay Writers - 8 Ways to Squeeze Out Creative Juices

Essay writers are known to be artistic, inventive, and imaginative. But they're humans too, they also experience idea block out. It can be due to a lot of different reasons - stress, uninspired, etc. Essay writing, unlike any kind of physical and mental activity, is way more demanding. It requires 100% concentration and 101% creativity.
But the problem lies on squeezing those needed creative juices. While some writers can come up with brilliant ideas in a snap, many struggles on fabricating thoughts to work on. Here are some tips to bringing out the ingenious side of essay writers:
1.Work in a comfortable place 
Having a comfortable environment is conducive for brainstorming. Essay writers tend to be more creative when surrounded with the same kind of people. It was also proven that hanging out with creative people can make one a creative person as well. Having such inspiring atmosphere contributes to thinking bright ideas.

2.Read and digest 
Reading is a great means to instigate creative ideas. It doesn't matter what subject matter it is. Reading is intellectually stimulating. There are a lot of things to be learned in reading different kinds of materials. The more one gets to read, the more one gets to know. Reading introduces the essay writers to endless writing possibilities.

3.Try something new daily 
Experiencing new things opens the door for innovative writing ideas. These new experiences broaden essay writers' perspectives. The more experience, the more room for learning and discovery.

4.Focus on an artistic activity everyday 
The idea is to stimulate the creative cells in the mind. Essay writing requires a fully-conditioned creative mind. Doing an artistic activity daily sharpens and hones skills. A regular exercise for the brain manifests its benefits during crunch time.

5.Let the imagination run wild 
In imagination, sky is the limit. Weird imagination triggers creative ideas. Exaggerating or the extremes are exciting take off for essay writers aspiring for catchy topics. Imagining is the ultimate brain exercise. Thinking outside the box is key to bring out the eccentric genius in any writer.

6.Practice a little discipline 
Many essay writers believe in the idea "write as the mood strikes". But it's not quite healthy. Whatever creative outlet it may be, it is beneficial to set a few minutes each day to continuously stimulate the mind. It doesn't need to be something too major. Doodling is one good form of daily creative activity.

7.Allocate sufficient time 
Cramming is not a good way to outflow ideas. Forcing it out can lead to haphazardly written works. Having ample time to think and plan produces quality essay composition. Many essay writers do not work well under time pressure.

8.Ask other people 
Diversity is directly related to creativity. New ideas are acquired through new perspectives. As the saying goes, those who are afraid to ask are afraid to learn. Brainstorming can convert a raw idea into brilliant essay writing. Essay writers can draw out fresh writing styles and designs through talking to diverse people.

Though it may seem that essay writers are invincible with regard to writing styles and techniques, formulating unique ideas is quite a different story. Creative juices can be free flowing to ingenious minds, but at times it can be so hard to squeeze out - it takes effort to develop brilliant and extraordinary essay ideas.

Fallacies Of Most Essay Writers

With the complexities of writing essays come misleading notions that many essay writers tend to believe. Although essay writing is bounded by set of norms and rules, writers must be cautious with the fallacies that hinder them in producing quality works.
Fallacy # 1: Writers write mainly to impress or to gain recognition.
Truth: To write is to express not to impress.
Many writers try so hard to impress readers. Some employ words that can't be understood by laymen. Essay writing's prime purpose is to clearly express facts and set of thoughts to its readers. Complicated and technical words don't work in writing essays. If the readers find the essay uncomfortable to read because of too much superlatives, the writer's effort to impress readers will be put to waste. A clear, logical and simple construction of sentences that expresses a sensible set of ideas is quite more impressive.
Fallacy # 2: Essay writers' main goal is merely to inform.
Truth: The real goal of a skilled essay writer is to infect the minds of the readers with his idea.
To write essays is to persuade people. It is not just writing every piece of detail in a sheet of paper. It is more on fabricating the facts and opinions in a manner it appears influential and relevant. To sway readers' belief or conviction is a skill that only great essay writers can do.
Fallacy # 3: Writers need to have fantastic ideas before he can write an essay.
Truth: Writing is how a writer can really develop ideas. An essay usually turns out to be more fascinating than it seemed at first.
Some writers feel intimidated because they don't come up with brilliant ideas at first. The fact is, not all great ideas come before the actual writing process. As writing progresses, many ideas develop. It is because the mind starts digging when the writer starts writing. It may be a rough road at first but continuous writing will work its way to greatness.
Fallacy # 4: Cramming will squeeze out the creative juices in a writer.
Truth: Start early. Like wine, an essay needs time to mature.
To write under time pressure may work for some writers but it is not really a healthy way to create quality essays. Essay writing is also like sewing. The writer needs sufficient time to ensure that every detail of the garment is properly stitched. Writing entails a process - enough time to plan, write and edit.
Fallacy # 5: Criticisms diminish the value of an essay.
Truth: Critiques is the most efficient way to bring out the best in a paper.
There's never a destructive criticism when it comes to writing. It's just a matter of attitude. Essay writers' incapability to accept reviews, especially negative critiques hinders the growth of the essay. Criticisms are always constructive if taken in the right perspective.
Every writer has his own style and unique ways to write. What works for an essay writer might not work for a research paper writer. But fallacies in writing can hinder any writer, regardless of what and how they write.

Sunday 15 January 2012

Essay Writer Guide For Determining Reliable and Unreliable Sources

An essay writer should know the difference between reliable and unreliable sources. Educational institutions will not accept references from unreliable sources. The essay writer should gather, use, and synthesize information only from approved sources specified by the instructor or the university. The essay writer may select published sources that appear in reliable websites such as journals, books, or peer reviewed research articles. The reliability of the data gathered by the freelance writer depends on how reliable the source is. If the freelance writer does not use reliable sources, then he may have a problem later with the consistency, analysis, and validity of the collected data.
What do you mean by reliable sources?
The first thing that an essay writer should know when collecting data and performing research is the ability to determine whether the site is reliable or not. There is only one thing that an essay writer should think when he visits a site - know from experience if the information is good or not. Below are examples of good reliable sites that provide reliable information:
• Google books 
• Newspapers 
• Peer reviewed articles 
• Peer reviewed journals 
• PhD or MBA dissertations and research 
• Public library including Questia 
• Scholarly articles 
• Isolated studies or academic research 
• Educational institutions websites

Although Wikipedia sites are good starting point to get initial ideas about the essay topic, the background information collected from the site still need confirmation and checking with a reliable source. Wikipedia sites have no formal control on the type and quality of information published on their sites. This concept is the same with blogs and other articles. Using the search engine to find information may give both reliable and unreliable sources. Many sites also give opinions and reviews. If it is necessary to use the ideas presented in these sites, then it is extremely important that essay writers validate the concept or theory with a reliable source.
Academia writers need to know that government as well as organization websites provide reliable information. Essay writers should use the same reading strategies with printed text to e-resources publications. Websites maintained by educational institutions are more reliable than blogs or personal websites for research. A PhD or MBA dissertation requires a well-balanced approach in presenting statistical data and information. Essay writers should learn how to assess the impartiality or reliability of the web content of a particular website provided in the search engine's search page.
How do you know a source is unreliable?
Academia writers do not need to read all the books or anything from cover to cover. Essay writers will definitely achieve an information overload using this research technique. One approach essay writers could use is to go through the material and follow this simple guideline:
• Note the date of publication and document version 
• Look at the table of contents and skim through the identified sections 
• Choose relevant information for better results 
• Organized information gathered from other resources to confirm reliability

Essay writers may use the idea unreliable sites present but need reliable resources to cite and confirm the collected information. Below are examples of unreliable sources that require confirmation with a reliable source:
• Wikipedia 
• Blogs 
• Forums 
• Questionable sites created by organizations 
• Sites that provide bias information

One way that essay writers can tell about the type of organization managing the content of the website is to look at the domain name or URL. The domain extension may have a two-letter country code such as .ph for Philippines,.us for United States, or .uk for United Kingdom. Educational institutions usually include.edu that may look like .edu .au for educational institution from Australia or .edu .ph for educational institution from the Philippines.

Friday 6 January 2012

Three Tips to Become a Good Essay Writer

If you've never written an essay before or if you can getting assignment that forces you to write in the style of essay that you have not encountered, you may be concerned as to whether or not your skills are going to be good enough. After all, you may believe that it is not an easy thing to become a good essay writer. However, most of what can make this particular thing difficult is the way you approach it and what mindset that you have. Indeed, this is one of the main and most important things to think about no matter what the assignment or what you're doing. Your mind ultimately is what will bring you success or failure.
The first tip to consider is that if you've not dealt with a particular style of essay, the best thing to do is to ask your Prof. for some tips or even for a previous example essays for structured formatting. This alone will allow you to quickly see at least in a general way, what the particular essay style entails and needs and will allow you to quickly pick things up and become a good essay writer for that style. Never be afraid to ask questions or ask to see samples especially if you're not entirely sure about the type of essay you have been asked to write.
Something else to consider is that there is really no time limit for becoming a good essay writer. In fact, if you try to rush things you will find that you make more mistakes and have or problems writing coherently than if you were to just relax and simply write. Remember, some of the best writers took years to perfect their craft. As such, you shouldn't expect to become a perfect essay writer with yotr first assignment. It will take some time and it will take several assignments for you find a style and voice that suits you.
If final tip is to understand that a good essay writer does not expect perfection with the first draft. It will most likely take several drafts and rounds of editing for you to get the essay to the point where you feel comfortable handing it in. This is not something that should frustrate you as this part of the writing process in general, no matter what you write.