Paper anxiety occurs with most everyone. Writing a paper can be hard especially when it is on a topic that is foreign or uninteresting. In some cases, you cannot choose the topic on which you write, this is usually a situation where paper anxiety comes in to play. When you’re writing a paper and you begin to feel anxious, taking a deep breath and break from the paper is helpful. Regaining your thought process and reviewing the topic in more detail would also help your thought process. Keep in mind that it is not beneficial to panic or give up. A positive attitude will positively affect your paper.
In paper II, the band I decided to write about was ABBA. Although I knew some of their more famous songs, in general I knew little about the group. The fact that we had to choose a band from another country alone started minor anxiety; when I had to make an argument on a band I knew little about is when my anxiousness took hold. As I proceeded to write my paper, I learned more about ABBA and was able to construct a sound argument. Throughout the process I also took multiple breaks to keep myself from becoming overworked or frustrated. I believe my actions in writing paper II truly impacted my writing and anxiety.
Hannah Fullerton
Whenever I am writing a paper I try to break my work down into sections. I start will basic ideas on a piece of paper, which turns into an outline, and ultimately the finished product. This makes the process of writing the paper not so overwhelming. I also like to listen to music to take the edge off or reduce any anxiety I may have. I feel that the best writing comes out under the least amount of anxiety as possible. Being able to relax and clearly think about your paper allows you to develop your thoughts in greater detail.
ReplyDeleteI find that starting a paper is always a struggle, which causes anxiety because I keep putting it off. Once I actually start any paper it’s easier to write. Everything just flows together; it’s just starting it that’s hard. Throughout the paper I find it needed to take little breaks. You can only stare at a computer screen for so long before your eyes start to hurt or you run out of ideas. After you come back from taking a break you’re more calm and refreshed. Your able to concentrate more.
ReplyDeleteI agree that you face more anxiety when writing a paper on a topic you do not know much about or have no desire to write about. When writing a paper on something you are interested in or know a lot about it is so much easier to write and come up with ideas to put in your paper. You also face much less anxiety on a topic you are more interested in writing.
ReplyDeletei also agree that writing a paper in which you do not get to pick the topic is sometimes hard and can cause anxiety. when i get anxiety and do not know what to write i use a brain storm method. i write all of my ideas down on a paper then line them up in a order that makes since to me.this helps me out when i cant think of what to start writing about right away.
ReplyDeleteEmilee Cooper says
ReplyDeleteI agree that a lot of us deal with paper anxiety. You made good key points to follow when writing our papers. I know myself, I tend to loose focus when I don't like what I have to write about. Loosing focus when writing on a topic can bring a long with it a great deal of stress. Staying focused and keeping a posative attitude really does help.
I have to agree with Cassandra. I stress about a paper because I put it off, but once I start it, it starts to flow and write itself, in a sense. While it is not easy to write the paper, it is less stressful to see the words starting to form on the page, one after one. What I try to do, and usually fail at, is not putting off the paper. Not putting it off creates less stress for myself, which is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen writing a paper on a topic that i am uninterested in i tend put it off and wait to the last minute. This causes me to stress, brain storming helps me gather my thoughts collectively. Once I've gathered enough information i write my paper.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Hannah Fullerton:
ReplyDeleteI disagreed with your statement about everyone having anxiety about writing papers. While some may experience this, many others do not. I am an example of that.
On the other hand, it was a great idea to better-inform yourself about ABBA, the band that you were researching. This allows an increase in comfortability with the topic. In addition, more knowledge about a topic allows for more input from the writer, decreasing a great amount of their anxiety about the length of the paper.
For everyone experiencing anxiety, I would also like to recommend the Writing Center. Different people have different weaknesses when it comes to writing; they can help with almost all of those weaknesses. If someone has a hard time creating a good topic for a paper, experiences a writer's block, or struggles with grammar, they can help. You even get extra credit for going there; it can't hurt you in any way! =]
I agree that paper anxiety is very common especially when writing about a topic that you are unfamiliar with. The level of difficulty and anxiety you face while writing a paper really depends on both the topic and your current situation.
ReplyDeleteI think that anxiety about writing papers is common, and you made good points about how to avoid such anxiety. It is not beneficial to panic or give up before the paper has been started. I think gathering information about the topic is key and then build the paper around what you now know.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to write about something you know little or nothing about. One way I try to overcome this is to use the day before I plan on writing the paper to research the topic in detail. I also site all the sources I find in case I need to use them on a later date or in the paper itself. This will make it a lot easy to begin the paper, which I think is the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteI think to avoid paper anxiety one should write when ever they feel most creative. I find that my thoughts flow better when I am in a creative mood.
ReplyDeleteIn order to dim anxiety, we should brain storm our ideas. This keeps all our ideas together and makes it easier to organize them.
ReplyDeleteI must say though since anxiety is so high, professors should see what they can to to help their students. After all, it is their job. I think that english professors should spend at least few classes discusing how to start a paper, how to build a paper when you have no ideas, how to expound on your paper when it does not reach required legnth. Its been my experience that professors ask for products that they have'nt taught the class how to create.
being confident and positive is the best thing to be when going about your paper. The better attitude you have towards your paper the better it will turn out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kmac1120. In order to do well on your paper you have to think positive and have faith in your self. If you think negatively about the paper and don't believe in yourself, there is a higher chance that your paper won't be any good. Which means you won't get a good grade.
ReplyDeleteHaving a high stress environment plays a huge role in paper anxiety. In situations where I have other areas to attend to in my life is when it gets rough. Being a student means having a lot to juggle in life, and when a professor notices this and adjusts for the student, I find it extremely beneficial. This class in particular I found significantly less stressful than prior english courses. The professor was flexible and wanted us as students to succeed. I found this as a huge support when it came to writing the papers for the class.
ReplyDeleteHaving paper anxiety is normal and is allowed because all you want to do is get an A. In order to get an you must work hard on your paper and be worried with what you are putting in it.
ReplyDeleteMany people tend to have writing anxiety even more experienced writers seem to have even the slightest anxiety. It is normal to feel this way, if you make up a preparation plan or a method that will help gather your information for your paper it can reduce the level of anxiety.
ReplyDeletei agree.
ReplyDeleteThe topic usually starts the anxiety and then the layout of the paper only makes it worse.
Researching as if your just trying to find random or interesting facts about the band definitely helps. the more information you have the easier it is to come up with something to write about and make an argument as well as back it up.
I believe if you have anxiety when your writing a paper, but sometimes it depends on what your writing about. if your writing about something intresting that personally you shouldnt get anxiety. if you have to write a paper that your "life depends on it" than your gonna have anxiety and your gonna have a lot of pressure with you.
ReplyDeleteADAM CLEMENTS
I agree, paper anxiety occurs when you are writing about a topic that you are not interested in or know nothing about. Staying positive and relaxing when assigned to something that you know nothing about or have no interest in is the best way to get through it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is much easier to feel more comfortable while writing a paper on a topic that you are more familiar with. If you do experience anxiety, it is a good idea to take breaks while working on your paper. Taking a break will help you relax and refresh your mind for whenever you get back to it.
ReplyDeleteFor me writing a paper period gives me anxiety. I will look at my computer for hours before I type one word and that word is usually deleted in a short period of time. I found it is better to have a clear mind and not to stress. I also wouldn't suggest a night before its due paper. In research writing you come out with many benefits you learn something new in your research and then you get to right your ideas. So looking at it that way can possibly eliminate tons of anxiety
ReplyDeleteTo ease my anxiety while writing my paper, I break my paper up in sections, most likely by paragraph. I think one of the reasons why kids get paper anxiety is trying to hard to please the teacher and write according to their criteria. Although is it important to follow the criteria given, don't lose grasp on your own writing style. You would write more relaxed and the paper would have the creativity that's your own, making you have more confidence in your paper.
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