For many students, the hardest part of...

For many students, the hardest part of writing a paper is getting started. For others, getting started isn’t difficult, but staying inspired is.

These are symptoms of the most common and dreaded malady of academic life: writer’s block.

Some students plead writer’s block as an excuse for procrastination. Others really do experience a block in which they can’t think of anything to write, or they can’t find words to express their ideas.

There are many possible causes of writer’s block. A student may not have enough research or information, or may feel intimidated by the size or importance of the assignment.

Even well-known, prolific writers experience writer’s block. But that may be little consolation to the student who has a paper due and no idea where to begin.

There are, however, some simple and generally successful ways to break through writer’s block.

The best method is to prevent it altogether by being organized.

Instead of just firing up the typewriter or computer and expecting the words to flow brilliantly, organize your thoughts first.

Brainstorming is a technique recommended by many teachers--and praised by many students--as a way to generate ideas and get into a writing mood.

What students like best about brainstorming is that there are no rules. Simply jot down every idea, fact, opinion or example related to the topic.

Disregard spelling, the order of your ideas or whether they even make sense. The main concern is to get something down on paper.

“Quickwriting” is an alternative to brainstorming. Again, the purpose is to jot down as many thoughts as possible, but in regular written form, in a specific amount of time.

Use complete sentences, but don’t get hung up on spelling, punctuation or grammar. Don’t pause, even if it means writing “I can’t think of anything” several times.

Next, compose an outline in which you list your ideas in some logical order, then start the rough draft.

Bear in mind that you need not begin with the introduction. Instead, jump right into the section that seems easiest, as you would on an exam.

In fact, your introduction will more clearly reflect what follows if it is written last.

Even after you get a solid start on your paper, you may still smash into a writer’s block.

This often means that you’re a little tired and need a break. My students revive themselves by napping, exercising, listening to music, reading or viewing something funny, or taking a cool shower.

It is also helpful to temporarily divert your creativity to another area, such as drawing, playing an instrument, writing a poem or working on another assignment.

There is a danger to taking a break, though. You may be tempted to put off finishing the paper or may lose your train of thought, so set a time limit for your break.

If your block is from a shortage of ideas or misunderstanding of the topic, you have two options. Talk to classmates or friends about it, or ask the teacher for some help.

They may offer a fresh, unusual angle that you had not even thought of. Changing your writing medium (typewriter, pencil, word processor) can sometimes help get you out of a rut too. In particular, some of my students reported that using a word processor just seems to make writing easier.

Finally, for a writer’s block that occurs during a lengthy writing project, the best remedy is often an extensive break--several days, if possible.