{"id":1349,"date":"2023-01-21T03:17:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-21T03:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essayguidance.com\/?p=1349"},"modified":"2024-06-19T20:52:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T20:52:11","slug":"start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/start\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Simple Tips on How to Start an Essay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re anything like me, you often find you don\u2019t know how to start your essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever sat there and stared at a blank page for 10 minutes straight?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting started is the hardest part of essay writing. This is the stage where procrastination can settle in and you get stuck in a rut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve had students email me in distress 6 hours before their essay is due:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cChris, can I pleaaasse have an extension? I have just been staring at my screen for weeks. I have no idea what to write!!!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This sort of email does not go down well with your grader. Especially within three days of the due date. You don\u2019t want to get to this stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here are some of the strategies that you can use when you\u2019re procrastinating and don\u2019t know how to start your essay. These are easy, actionable tips even when you\u2019re totally stuck about what to write!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Skip the Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Write the introduction<\/a> last. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hardest part is the first few words. Students stare at their computers, procrastinating for days about what to write first. So, skip the intro. It’ll be easier to write those first few words at the end of the process, not the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The introduction acts as an engaging orientation and overview of your topic. You will find that it will be so much easier to write the introduction once you know more about the topic. So, write the Introduction (and Conclusion) last.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often students procrastinate because they treat the first words they write too preciously. Get yourself in the mindset that what you write in your early draft will likely not make the cut for your final submission. This helps to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Relieve the pressure.<\/strong> If you know what you write now doesn\u2019t entirely matter, you\u2019re more likely to start writing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Encourage you to put words on the page.<\/strong> Instead of crafting an engaging, perfect opening sentence, you\u2019ll focus on adding important points that you know you want to make somewhere <\/em>in the piece.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    So, skip the introduction.<\/strong> Forget about it entirely. Just start writing something<\/em> that is relevant to the essay topic <\/em>with the knowledge that you can either delete it or edit it later on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Just remember that the introduction and conclusion<\/a> will take up about 100-150 words each. So, keep an eye on your word count and leave somewhere between 200 and 300 words to write the introduction and conclusion last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Brainstorm Five Key Points you want to Say<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Brainstorming helps you to come up with key points to write in your essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re totally stuck about anything to write at all, you\u2019ll need to start brainstorming. Get yourself a blank piece of paper out of your printer tray and write the essay question in the middle. Start writing ideas around the edges of the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Brainstorm<\/strong>
    Get out a blank piece of paper and write any ideas that come to your head \u2013 no matter how bad! Just write any ideas or little bits of knowledge you think are relevant to your topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s take an example essay \u2013 say: \u201cHow Climate Change will Impact the Future\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019ll want to write that in the middle. Then, around the edges of the page write some points that are relevant to the topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n