Reading and reading can be a pleasurable occupation and with any topic there is always more we want to find out about. And then sometimes you seem to keep finding just one more source that you think you really must consult. But sometimes it could be that, while you do have a good grasp of the general topic area, the more specific focus eludes you. If this is the case it is no wonder that you don't feel ready to write. However, if you do have a focus but still can't start writing, it could be that you are expecting too much of yourself and also have an unrealistic view of the writing process itself.

• Finding the focus The first step is to re-examine the topic, by which we mean more than just reading it. Rather, get a more complete understanding of the intricacies and controversies involved in your assignment topic. Spend some time analysing the topic. Then, think about aspects or issues that you will have to cover, think about questions that you need to answer to come to some sort of stance on the issue, and indeed, try to formulate your argument. Once you have a clearer idea of what you want to argue it will be easier to start writing and structuring your essay. Without a clear argument in mind you will be unable to write a coherent assignment. The argument provides a skeleton for the essay and helps you to decide what is relevant and what isn't. All your reading can be assessed in terms of how it matches up as evidence and where it fits into your argument. Now you can re-evaluate your reading and decide if you have, in fact, done enough and covered all the areas you will need to discuss in your assignment and to discard what's not relevant to your argument. If you do need to read more you don't once again read widely but read to answer a specific question you have in mind. Then if you can capture the idea of your argument in a diagram, in a story or in a brief paragraph you will have a good starting point from which your writing will flow.
• Handling your writing process Writing doesn't just happen, nor does it turn out perfectly the first time. Writing is a process of thinking and re-thinking, writing and re-writing. By this process of discovery and invention you come closer to what it is you really mean and how you can say it. Therefore, don't overload yourself by expecting to produce perfect drafts the first or second time. Say to yourself, all I have to do now is get my thoughts about this part of the argument down roughly. Then, you work on the drafts paying attention to the flow of the argument, its strengths, and the relevance and clarity of the evidence. Leave fussing about grammar and spelling etc to another revision if necessary and don't let concern for the details interfere with your concern about the logic of your argument.
• Setting yourself deadlines Through wide and general reading you can find your way into your topic, but this aspect, just as in any other part of the process of doing an assignment, needs to be kept in proportion. That is, set yourself interim deadlines. Allow yourself, for example, two or three days of general reading after which you will assess what you've got and where it has led you. Interim deadlines such as this are arrived at by working backwards from the due date. That way you can be confident that you are working to a realistic plan.

In summary:

• Tell yourself in one sentence what your answer is to the assignment question and then write it down. For example, finish the following sentence 'The analysis of x in light of y shows that …..', or 'The comparison of x and y reveals that ……', or 'It is recommended that …. because …', or 'Despite x, y and z it is argued that …'.
• Draw a diagram or flow chart showing your main argument and the evidence that you will use and where it belongs. This also exposes any gaps in the evidence or where it may have become disproportionate.
• Remember that the first writing is for your eyes only. It is your own working document. Don't be too critical; the idea at this stage is to produce something that you can work on, reorganise, sharpen and bring to life.
• Manage your time so that you can take away the weight of worry.

LINKS

• From reading to writing
• Combining research and course-work
• What standard is expected