How do you get over writer's block combined with perfectionism on a college paper?

Question

I have a problem with academic papers. Even if I sort of know what I want to write, I can't figure out how to start, and particularly how to organize my paper. This has become a serious problem, even though when I do finish the papers I usually get A's (if they're on time). I just can't organize my thoughts into a good outline. I look at it like this: there are an infinite number of possibilities of how one can argue something, organize the paragraphs, which details to use, etc. It's like mild OCD or something. I've noticed that if I have a glass of wine, which I rarely do, i can write more easily, but I don't want to have to drink to write. Please help! I have a 7 page paper overdue and even though it's not that much, I just don't know how to go about it! Please save my academic career! Thank you!

Answer 1

Ok, here's the surefire method that I teach *my* students, who often have similar difficulties.

1) Identify your argument. This must be an arguable point. In other words, there must be a rational defensible counterargument. So now, create an imaginary opponent with whom you are conversing, via your paper. Write down BOTH arguments. Put yours in the first paragraph of your paper, and keep your opponent's nearby, on the side somewhere, to consult as you are writing.

2) Now that you know your position, identify the *most compelling* pieces of evidence in support of your argument. What do *you* think are the most important evidentiary points to include in order to out-argue that opponent? List them in order. And listen to your opponent, and write down (to the side somewhere) the contrary points s/he makes.

2a) Contextualize each point you make. If a scholar has made this point, give her/him credit. Make sure to point out any assumptions upon which your point relies, even if it undermines your argument.

3) Toward the end of your paper, summarize your opponent's arguments. Remind your reader how your evidence smacked him/her down. Point out any assumptions upon which your opponent has relied. (Another smackdown.)

4) Summarize your point, and identify implications of your argument.

And finally, as you write, DO NOT EDIT yourself. This is a DRAFT. Let your inner writer free. After you have completed each of the above steps, *then* you can go back and edit for style and clarity. Your inner editor has to WAIT till your writer is done.

(In your case, I bet your inner editor is the one that needs that glass of wine in order to shut up. I bet it's your inner editor that wants to have control of your paper. Show her who is boss.)

I promise, if you follow this method, your papers will be models of organization and clarity.

Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

Just sit down and write without organizing -- use your computer.
After a while, it'll get easier and easier to set down the paragraphs without worrying about what order they'll go in, and whether any particular paragraph is relevant.

By the time you've filled a few pages with disjoint paragraphs, you'll have a much better idea what your thesis should be. Now, copy and paste the relevant paragraphs you'd already written into a new document. Write a header paragraph and some conclusions, and edit the body paragraphs to support your thesis.

Congratulations, you've written a paper. Be sure to use citations and a nice bibliography.