Timing is everything…

when catching that perfect wave. With in-class writing, timing may not be everything, but it is super important. Since the end of the semester is now on the horizon, I thought I’d share some tips about writing a timed paper, aka the in-class essay.

Writing a paper can be hard enough when you have two weeks, the entire internet, and all of your notes. Being told to write an essay during class time can seem daunting. Here are some tips on how to tackle that in-class essay.

Do research ahead of time, if possible:

If you get the topics ahead of time, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS! Come up with possible outlines for each topic, and make sure you know the basics (names, dates, titles, possible quotes) in order to write the essay. Note: If a teacher is giving you the topics ahead of time, they probably expect a little more from your essay than if you found out the topic that day. Be as prepared as possible! That wave is in sight, so get ready for it.

If you can’t bring notes or don’t know the topics, don’t panic. Prepare as much as you possibly can.

Pace yourself:

Paddling is a big part of surfing, but you don’t want to just sit on your board. You gotta stand up some time to catch a wave. When writing in class, pace yourself. Do not spend too much time on any one part of the essay. It will be better to have a complete essay than one stellar introduction when you’re finished.

Revise:

Make sure that you leave enough time to revise your essay when you’re finished. It isn’t the end of the world if you don’t, but it will help if you have time to make sure that everything makes sense.

Practice:

If you have the topics ahead of time or have a good idea of what the topic might be, you can practice writing a timed essay. Still need some help? Come visit us in the Stone Writing Center! We can help you figure out what you need to work on before the big day.

Remember, timing is key. Prepare yourself, and do the best that you can! Hopefully these tips help you feel a bit better about it. 

See you next time the sun is up, the breeze is cool, and the waves roll into view. ‘Til then, hang ten!