Selecting an issue that you are passionate about to research is probably the best first step on the way to success in writing an academic paper. However, it is sometimes complicated to keep interest and progress in essay writing. Here are some tips that are designed to assist with academic writing.
Plan the Research and Writing Schedule
Select the topic that you have a strong passion for. Many researchers say that some of their best works arise from wanting to learn more or get a better understanding of a particular phenomenon that intrigues them. While trying to explain it to themselves, they end up explaining it to others in a new exciting way that turns out to be worthy of publication.
Plan your time beforehand. Ensure to set aside some amount of time every week that you could devote yourself to research and do not let anything distract you from this work. To make it easier for you to see what to do, consider using a white-board with “to do” lists with deadlines. It is very convenient to rub off tasks once they are completed. It works as a useful visual reminder.
Break the research in smaller pieces: today, this week, this month, this year, etc. Having a clear idea for what you should accomplish in specific periods you will likely make every effort to stick to this.
Make a Start
It is essential to use whatever time you have for the research to complete something, even the smallest piece of work. So once you have an idea for your research, create a file for it on your computer and write down anything, no matter how rough and short, it could be even just a provisional title or any notes about the possible content. You will always be able to polish and develop the material later or even discard it.
Organize the paper into various files, for example, articles in progress, submitted articles, accepted articles, blog posts, book proposals – and so on.
If you are stuck at some point of your writing – leave it for some time and continue working on another piece.
If you have not set any particular deadline – do it, and do your best to meet these, so that you are then able to move on to the next stage.
Get the Most of Your Paper
Make sure to use your work in every possible way, including articles, blog posts, books, etc. Turn the small pieces into bigger ones whenever possible and vice versa. For instance, if you are working on a blog post, you could later develop it into an article. Contrariwise, some major arguments of an article can be used in blog posts.
When you consider any piece of writing to be completed, put it aside for some time, at least two days, and then reread it with fresh eyes. Chances are that you will notice some points that should be improved upon. After perfecting it, go ahead and submit that piece of writing.
Sometimes, receiving feedback from academic referees causes researches to lose their confidence. If you receive any negative comments, just revise and resubmit your work as soon as possible. Consider it as a chance to make your paper the very best it can be.
Instead of deleting information on the editing stage, create an “edits” computer file into which to “paste” this material when you cut it. You may require this material later on in your career.
Check whether your Abstract is masterfully written and will lead others to your writing.
Connect to Get Inspired
You can get inspiration from anything. During your research, attend conferences and seminars, read corresponding literature, listen to radio programs that are related to your area of study, read appropriate newspapers, blogs, and websites.
Publicize your work and connect to other researchers as much as possible. Make contact with other people who work in related fields. Join relevant research networks, or even start your own.
Strengthen your online presence. Consider using social media to promote your research, connect to other academics, and engage with the community. Check whether your university webpage is kept up-to-date with your latest publications and research projects. Create blog posts for your own blog, or for others’ blogs, sign up to relevant Facebook pages.
Look for the advice or even ask for mentorship of academics with more significant experience, whose research and academic work you respect.
Walk, run, exercise, or take bike rides on a regular basis. Not only will this keep you in good physical shape, but also it will give you some mental space to ponder the argument and come up with fresh thoughts on the project.
