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6 Simple Techniques To Build Useful Essay Writing Habits

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‘Procrastination’ is the first word that comes to the student’s mind when they hear about essay writing. Coupled with other chores from the to-do list, writing one more paper might feel unbearable. Especially if the subject is too complex or requires hours of academic research. In the end, building those cherished essay writing skills sounds like torture.

How to write the next award-winning essay without hating the alphabet? Check the techniques from our experts below.

Technique #1: Avoid Distraction

So, you’ve finally opened your laptop and typed the topic of your paper. From time to time, you may think, ‘Who can write papers for me so I may forget about college and binge-watch Netflix?’ However, the real distraction will occur when Netflix sends you a notification through social media about the upcoming ‘You’ season.

Obviously, no one is going to stop using social media despite the research saying it is harmful. However, when you know your source of distraction, you may try to avoid it.

Use apps like Offtime and Moment to stay out of the virtual bubble for a few hours. Most of the software tools are free or require a minimal fee. The coolest feature is that apps like Offtime separate work from play by assigning special activity names.

They also block different things. For instance, for the MeTime activity, you might want to block text messages. Meanwhile, for Work activities, you may block all social media messages and texts combined.

Apart from the apps, you may take your phone to a different room or use the Silent mode.

Technique #2: Make Your Peace With Noise

According to Murphy’s law, your neighbors will start refurbishing their flat once you start doing your research. All those hammers and drills do no good to students’ academic tasks. How do you stay calm and productive when the whole world is against you?

  • Use noise-canceling headphones. This tool is a godsend to students who have the worst neighbors or live near a noisy road. Keep in mind that this magic invention requires timely charging;
  • Find a quiet coworking space. Most of the coworking cafes aren’t expensive, have unlimited coffee, and are divided into ‘noisy’ and ‘silent’ areas;
  • Benefit from the college library. Remember how much time Hermione spent in Hogwarts’ library? Pretend you’re one of the ‘Harry Potter’ characters and invade the space of books and eternal knowledge. Moreover, modern libraries are equipped with the Internet. Hence, you won’t feel like a medieval student after all.

Technique #3: Make Time Your Best Friend

Procrastination was made by students. The youth are especially prone to leaving studying to the last moment because of the vibrant college events. Meanwhile, the lack of time management does no good to one’s grades.

How to do everything in time without sacrificing your social life and hobbies?

  • Sacrifice everyday binge-watching. As ironically as it sounds, you might want to stop falling into the Netflix rabbit hole. At least, on a daily basis. Binge-watching literally takes hours which you could have devoted to essay writing;
  • Divide your project into milestones with separate deadlines. Imagine you have a one-month project. To make it less intimidating, divide the whole work into 4 parts. Assign each week to every part and work according to the plan. In the end, you’ll have 4 small-size projects as milestones of the bigger one;
  • Assign more time to the project than you might think it would require. For instance, the actual writing might take only 3 hours. However, the research and proofreading stages might take twice as much time.

Technique #4: Drafts and Plans

Before building the next wonder of civilization, architects draft their creations. The same goes for academic writing. Some instructors will ask you to write down a plan for your essay or research article. This is a great idea since on the paper, you’ll see the structure of your work. If mistakes happen during the drafting stage, you can easily erase them.

Why draft and plan the paper?

  • You can improve the structure of the paragraphs and their cohesiveness;
  • You can check whether each paragraph effectively proves the thesis statement;
  • You can assign the academic sources to the paragraphs according to the idea they prove;
  • You can improve the structure of the whole paper by dividing it into more chapters.

Technique #5: Ask Other People’s Opinions

When writing a paper, you get so much used to it that you can hardly spot the inadequacies. At the same time, if you ask your friends or a teacher, they will tell you the disadvantages your writing holds. Ask your friends or relatives for a second opinion. This is an especially great tip if your task is writing a paper a layperson can easily grasp.

Another option is visiting the college writing center. You can ask professionals for some writing advice. This is especially efficient for college newbies who have never composed an academic paper in their life.

Technique #6: Proofread and Edit

After you write the paper, make sure it’s free of grammar and punctuation mistakes. Also, keep your vocabulary clean. Professors don’t like slang or colloquialisms. Fortunately, if your subject is creative writing, you may ask the professor whether you may add ‘banned’ words. Otherwise, make sure your writing tone is neutral.

How to ensure superb editing and proofreading?

  • Use plagiarism-checking and grammar-checking software like Grammarly;
  • Read! To develop a good taste in grammar and vocabulary, read error-free texts. Yes, the time has come you open a real book by Fitzgerald or Hemingway;
  • Check the meaning of the words you use, especially if those are scientific terms.

Final Thoughts

To not feel like an academic culprit, we advise you follow the list of the rules above. Once you prioritize studying over binge-watching, you’ll write that tedious essay once and for all. Keep in mind that deadlines and time management are the main aspects to focus on. Meanwhile, there are great apps that can help you with organizing your life.

We hope the article gave you more insight on how to build useful essay writing habits. Good luck!

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Revealing Your Musical Potential: How Structured Music Lessons Can Aid Novices

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Discovering one’s musical capabilities begins with the first note, chord, or beat.

Music lessons for beginners is the journey into the realm of music, which can be both exhilarating and daunting. The secret to unveiling this potential resides in practice and structured lessons to build a strong foundation.

This article delves into how these lessons serve as a cornerstone for novices, enabling them to explore, understand, and refine their skills.

The Importance of a Solid Start

Embarking on this education requires more than just enthusiasm. A solid start, anchored in comprehensive music lessons for beginners, sets the tone for a learner’s journey. It ensures that fundamental concepts are not just introduced but understood and internalised.

This approach minimises confusion and builds a platform from which skills can be developed systematically.

Tailored Approach to Learning

Every individual possesses unique learning capabilities and musical inclinations. Structured lessons cater to these differences, offering tailored approaches that match the learner’s pace and interest.

This personalisation enhances engagement and ensures that each session contributes effectively to their progress. By addressing the learner directly, lessons become more than instruction; they become a dialogue between the student and the music.

Building Blocks of Musical Knowledge

At the core of music lessons for beginners lie fundamental concepts that are indispensable for all subsequent learning and mastery. These foundational elements encompass the comprehension of musical notation, the essence of rhythm, the scales’ structure, and the chords’ formation.

A firm grasp of these basics is pivotal for progressing to intricate compositions and diverse genres.

Furthermore, lessons meticulously crafted to systematically introduce and reinforce these concepts significantly contribute to cultivating a rich lexicon. They enable learners to interpret music more quickly and express themselves fluently through their chosen instrument.

This systematic approach ensures a well-rounded understanding, laying a solid groundwork for exploration and creativity in the journey.

The Role of Feedback and Correction

Structured lessons provide a platform for consistent and constructive feedback, allowing beginners to recognise their strengths and areas for improvement. This corrective mechanism is vital in avoiding the entrenchment of incorrect techniques, which can hinder progress.

The Joy of Early Achievements

Structured lessons aim to impart knowledge and recognise and celebrate every milestone achieved along the way, no matter how modest. Mastering a basic melody or composing a first piece are significant markers of progress, essential for boosting motivation.

These accomplishments are potent reminders to beginners of their strides, underscoring the tangible outcomes of their perseverance and hard work. Celebrating these successes is vital to maintaining enthusiasm and fostering a deep commitment to this art form. It instils confidence in learners, encouraging them to set and achieve new goals.

Beyond the Basics: Encouraging Exploration

Once beginners have a solid grasp of the fundamentals, these lessons evolve to encourage a journey beyond foundational skills. This new exploration phase invites learners to delve into various genres, fostering an appreciation for diversity.

Experimentation becomes key through composing original works, improvising within known pieces, or collaborating with fellow musicians.

These activities are instrumental in refining technical prowess while simultaneously amplifying creative expression. They offer novices a platform to unearth and cultivate their distinctive identity, enriching their learning experience.

By embracing this exploratory approach, learners broaden their musical horizons and gain deeper insights into their personal preferences and artistic inclinations.

Structured music lessons for beginners offer a comprehensive approach to unlocking the potential. By providing a solid foundation, personalised learning paths, and regular feedback, these lessons equip beginners with the tools necessary for their journey.

Beyond technique and theory, they foster a deep appreciation for this art form, encouraging continuous exploration and growth. In embracing this structured path, the journey of musical education is as rewarding as the destination.

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Tips and Hacks to Write a Mindblowing Persuasive Essay in College

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The essay is not just about sharing facts; it’s about learning how to convince effectively. Imagine you can change minds and make a real impact with your words. That’s the essence of persuasive writing, a skill far beyond your college days.

If you want, you can think of it as a superpower when you can get people on board with your ideas. Ask for help from a professional essay writing service https://essayshark.com/ if you are a student who needs help with papers.

In our article, we’re here to help you become a pro at good writing. We’ve gathered practical tips and tricks to take your essays from good to mind-blowing.

Understand your readers

When writing essays, knowing your readers is like having a secret weapon. Imagine you’re a magician who knows precisely what tricks will amaze people who read you.

The best case is if you think of your audience as a puzzle. You must understand how each piece fits together to create a complete picture. Knowing what your readers care about, their opinions, and their values helps you craft arguments that hit home.

Choose the right statement

When crafting top-notch essays, imagine your thesis statement as the heart of your essay. It’s like a sentence that tells your readers what your essay is about and what you’re trying to prove. Think of it as a title that grabs attention and sets the stage. Think of your statements as signs on a map that guide the reader from one point to another. Once you understand it, it should be like a clear path, showing your readers where your essay is going. Avoid using complicated words. Also, make sure you can back it up with evidence.

Do in-depth research

In this section, you should consider your arguments a house built on a solid foundation. Well-researched evidence gives your arguments weight and credibility. It shows that your ideas aren’t just opinions but are grounded in facts, data, and expert opinions. Look for sources from reputable institutions, experts in the field, and peer-reviewed publications. Online databases, academic journals, and library resources are your treasure maps. It’s a good idea to think of your essay as a mosaic of different information, facts, and opinions.

Structure an essay effectively

Creating an essay is like building a house; you need a solid structure. For example, imagine your essay as a story. The introduction is the exciting beginning, the body paragraphs are the meaty middle, and the conclusion is the satisfying ending. Hook your readers with a thought-provoking question, an interesting fact, or a compelling fun moment. In the conclusion, wrap up your essay by summarizing your main points and leaving a lasting impression. Remember, a well-structured essay is like a well-built house – it’s sturdy, easy to navigate, and leaves a lasting impression.

Use persuasive language

Imagine your words as arrows that hit the bullseye. Persuasive language can evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and drive action. It helps you connect with your readers on a deeper level, making your arguments more compelling. Also, you can think of your essay as a painting. Your words are the brushstrokes that create vibrant images. Use words like “crucial,” “undeniable,” “transform,” and phrases like “imagine if” to add impact. Metaphors, similes, and vivid descriptions also make your writing vivid. Remember to balance emotional appeal, logic, and credible evidence for the most convincing effect.

Think about visuals

What about imagining your essay as a dynamic presentation? Visuals like graphs, charts, and images can be your slides. They add a new dimension to your arguments, making them more memorable and easy to understand. Visuals make complex information digestible and compelling, reinforcing your arguments visually engagingly. Use them strategically to enhance, not overpower, your content. Place visuals where they naturally fit and provide context.

Edit and proofread

In this part, you can imagine your essay as a sculpture. Editing and proofreading act like polishing, turning your essay from raw material into a polished work of art. During this phase, you can spot mistakes, improve clarity, and strengthen your arguments. Think of editing as tidying up a room. Check for grammar and punctuation errors – those little distractions that can take away from your message. Ensure your sentences are clear, concise, and easy to follow. Cut out unnecessary jargon and replace vague words with precise ones.

Afterall

Remember, mastering the art of persuasive essay writing takes time and effort. Like any skill, it requires practice, dedication, and a willingness to learn from each experience. Each essay you craft is an opportunity to refine your persuasive prowess further. Best of luck on your writing journey!

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7 Tips for Writing Short Stories That Captivate and Resonate

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If you are a writer not passionate enough to write a long novel or book series, short stories are an answer to your problem. Short stories hold a remarkable ability to captivate readers in a brief span of time, leaving a lasting impact that stays with them even after they have finished reading them.

However, crafting a perfect short story is not easy enough. You will need to have a delicate balance of creativity, skill, and an understanding of the elements that can make a narrative shine. That’s what we are going to teach you in this blog.

Below in this article, we have outlined useful tips for writing short stories that will engage your audience on a deep and emotional level. Read on to find out.

1. Start with a Strong Hook

There is nothing better than a powerful opening that immediately grabs the reader’s attention and compels them to keep reading your story. The first few sentences of your story are crucial in setting the tone, piquing curiosity, and establishing a connection with the reader.

To make your story opening strong enough, you will have to start it with something like a compelling question, an intriguing scenario from your story, a vivid description, or a thought-provoking statement. Just make sure anything you use should create a sense of intrigue and engage readers on a deeper level.

You can also consider incorporating elements of surprise, tension, or mystery to capture their imagination from the very beginning. This strong opening will then set the stage for the narrative, generating anticipation and signaling that something extraordinary is about to come their way.

2. Develop Engaging Characters

Your memoir can’t be completed without characters, so make sure you make their journey and experiences engaging enough for readers to be emotionally invested in the story. To create engaging characters, you will have to go deep into their personalities, motivations, and conflicts.

Give them distinct traits, desires, and flaws that make them relatable and three-dimensional. Also, consider their backgrounds, relationships, and the events in their life that have shaped them. By crafting well-rounded characters, you will be able to invite readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs.

Furthermore, ensure to make your characters undergo visible transformation and growth throughout the story. To do this, you will have to put challenges in their life, make them choose between two extremes, and put them in difficult situations. Doing all this will make your story captivating within the minimum number of words.

3. Choose the Right Type of Publishing 

If you want to maximize the impact of your work, you will have to know all about publishing a short story. Different publishing options offer unique benefits and considerations to consider.

Traditional publishing involves submitting your short stories to literary magazines or journals, where you will have to wait for them to provide you with editorial support.

On the other hand, the self-publishing option is also there to empower you to take control of the entire publishing process. It offers creative freedom, quicker publication timelines, and higher royalty fees. You can self-publish your short stories digitally through platforms like Amazon Kindle or in print-on-demand formats.

You can also share your work through personal blogs, social media, or online writing communities, allowing instant feedback, collaboration, and the chance to build an online following.

4. Keep Them Concise

In the realm of short fiction, conciseness is key, as it allows for focused storytelling. Every word within the short story counts, so each sentence should serve a purpose in advancing the narrative or developing the characters.

This approach will ensure that the pacing remains tight and the reader’s attention is held from beginning to end. So, make sure to trim away any unnecessary details or digressions that may distract readers from the core of the story.

Just put your focus on conveying emotions, creating vivid imagery, and exploring the themes with precision. It will eventually force you to make deliberate choices, conveying depth and complexity within the limitations of a shorter format.

5. Maintain a Clear Narrative

Clarity in storytelling ensures that your ideas are effectively communicated, and the reader can follow the progression of events. You can establish a clear narrative by starting with a clear beginning, introducing the main characters, setting, and central conflict.

Also, make sure to develop the story with purpose, maintaining a logical sequence of events that build tension and intrigue. Just stay away from writing any confusing plot twists that may detract from the overall coherence.

After this, as the story unfolds, keep the reader engaged by providing clear transitions and maintaining a consistent tone. Each scene and event should contribute to the overall narrative arc, leading towards a satisfying resolution or revelation at the end.

6. Edit and Revise Again and Again

No great story is born in its final form. It is through the process of refining and polishing that a story truly comes to life. So, once you have completed writing your initial draft, set it aside for a while to gain a fresh perspective of the story.

Then, return to your story with a critical eye and start editing for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Trim unnecessary details, tighten sentences, and refine dialogue to enhance the overall flow and impact.

After you are done editing, ensure to revise your work by going deep into the layers of your story. During this process, analyze character motivations and strengthen plot points. Look for areas where you can heighten tension, create more impactful scenes, and deepen the themes explored.

7. Make Every Word Count

As mentioned above, the power of a short story lies in the careful selection and placement of each and every word. To ensure this, you will need to have a keen eye for the precision of language. Aim for clarity and impact in every sentence using vivid imagery, evocative descriptions, and engaging dialogue.

You will also have to avoid any unnecessary or redundant words that dilute the potency of your story. One more thing you will have to do to achieve minimum to no redundancy is use contractions in your writing and keep revising and refining your work.

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