Found a great idea over here and decided to create a list of useful exercises
for those who have to deal with academic writing every day. I mean, most
writers who write non-fiction or fiction can allow themselves to rely on
inspiration. We, academic writers, cannot. So, how can one get used to daily
academic writing?
Tip #1: pick yourself a set of short assignments for a week
and get them done. Don’t start with writing course works or thesis papers: you
will get bored. Small essays on different topics are exactly what you need. You
won’t get tired, because there will be no need to accomplish a tremendous
research, and you won’t get bored, because it won’t be necessary to concentrate
on the same topic for a long time. Such practice could also be entertaining, if
you choose a set of topics you are interested in.
Tip #2: learn to think in a proper way. The easiest way to do
it is… to visit a library. So, all you need to do is to come to the library and
to choose any scientific field you wish. Go to the section where you can find
information on the chosen subject. Pick any book, the cover or the name of
which looks interesting to you. Look it through – you don’t have to read it,
just take a look in order to realize what topics are described there. Then just
pick any topic you like, sit down and try to make a plan for different types of
essays on this topic – a plan for an argumentative essay, a research paper or a
thesis paper. This exercise will help you cope with academic writing in
different scientific fields. It will also allow you to learn the difference
between different essay types.
Tip #3: make a list of your most and least favorite topics.
Define the directions and topics you would love to explore. If you want to get
used to daily academic writing, forget about uninteresting themes at least for
a month. Work with the matter you like. It will make your process of adaptation
to academic writing easier.
