Origin of this website
My name is Emily Martin. I created this site as a graduate project for the Instructional Technology program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Behind the design are instructional methods to help learners reach their goals - in this case, to help you write a great paper by staying focused along the way.
You will find tips, activities, and, if you choose, a step-by-step method to create a strong essay or term paper. I hope the site helps you master COMP101, and wherever else you're headed.
If you see something that I've missed, or if you have any questions, please send me an email at emartab@siue.edu.
ohyeahandbytheway...
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly
those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been
reviewed or approved by SIUE.
What's the trick to finding (and keeping) your focus?
Every writer on the planet wants to erase writer's block and
find a way to stick to the point. But for a college student, this
feeling is a bit more intense. Deadlines are tied to grades, grades are
tied to graduation, graduation is tied to other looming life goals;
college paper writing can be one giant stress that makes it hard to
focus. But if you break it down one step at a time, you can move past
the stress and move toward a strong and focused paper. There’s a
formula for it.
Organize
A focused environment leads to a focused mind. You don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning your workspace, but you should find a place to work that is free from excessive clutter and distractions (ringing phones, chatty people, Facebook, etc.).
This might mean hiding in a corner of the library for an hour or two. Or maybe it just means clearing off your desk and hanging a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. The point is to surround yourself with serenity and let your mind follow.
YOUR TURN:
Take a look around. Do you have a quiet, distraction-free workspace? If not, check out these tips for preparing your writing environment. Then take a few minutes to design a focused writing space.
Breathe
Focus your mind before you actually sit down to write. One way to do this is with your breath. People use breathing strategies for many reasons: to ease test anxiety, to meditate, and in our case, to find focus. If you’re having trouble starting or finishing your paper, this is a great place to start.
Try some deep breathing exercises for a few minutes before even thinking about essay assignment. (It's just a few minutes! You can do it.)
YOUR TURN:
Practice deep breathing for 3-5 minutes. Fill your stomach with air as you breathe in deeply through your nose. Try counting to five as you inhale and counting to eight as you exhale, or whatever seems comfortable. As you exhale, imagine sending your worries out of your body with your breath. Clear thoughts will follow. (It's like a mini-meditation and Russell Simmons approves.)