10 Tips If You’re Struggling To Write An Essay

Writing an essay can feel like a mountain to climb when you’re staring at a blank page. Whether it’s the looming deadline or just not knowing where to start, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Writing can be tough, but with the right approach, you can turn that challenge into a breeze. Let’s go over some practical tips to help you get unstuck and craft an essay that shines.
1. Use a Free Essay Writing Tool
When you’re truly stuck, getting a jumpstart from a free essay writer can be a game-changer. These tools help organize your thoughts and guide you on structure, which can be the most intimidating part of starting. They’re especially useful when you’re staring at a blank screen, unsure of how to kick things off. Just type in your topic, and let the tool do some of the heavy lifting.
2. Understand Your Essay Prompt
This might sound basic, but truly understanding what’s being asked can save you from a lot of frustration later. Take a step back and break down the essay prompt. What’s the main question? Are there multiple parts to it? Jot down notes to ensure you address everything, and avoid going off track. Sometimes, half the battle is knowing what’s expected of you.
3. Brainstorm Ideas First
Before you even touch your keyboard, sit down and brainstorm. Dump all your thoughts about the topic onto a piece of paper (or your laptop, if you prefer). Don’t worry about organization at this stage. Just get your ideas flowing.
Once you’ve done that, take a moment to group them into themes or sections. This process will give you a clearer sense of direction, and you’ll find it easier to outline your essay.
4. Create an Outline
An outline is your roadmap. With your ideas grouped, now’s the time to put them in a logical order. Break your essay into sections—introduction, body, and conclusion—and figure out what goes where. What’s the main argument? What are the supporting points? Having this structure in place makes writing each part much easier.
An outline is also a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your essay coherent and flowing well.
5. Set Small, Achievable Writing Goals
Facing a whole essay at once can be overwhelming. Break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Set goals, like writing 200 words or finishing a single paragraph in 30 minutes. These smaller targets are much easier to handle mentally, and you’ll feel a sense of achievement with each goal you tick off.
Plus, the more you accomplish, the more motivated you’ll be to keep going.
6. Start With the Section That’s Easiest for You
Not feeling the intro? That’s fine! Start somewhere else. If you have a strong argument or point you’re eager to make, begin there. Often, once you get going, the other parts of your essay will fall into place.
Forcing yourself to start at the beginning might lead to more frustration, while working on the sections you’re excited about can spark inspiration for the rest.
7. Eliminate Distractions
When you’re trying to write, the last thing you need is constant distractions pulling you out of the zone. Turn off your phone, shut down those extra tabs, and let your friends know you’ll be out of touch for a bit. Creating a distraction-free environment will help you focus and get your ideas down faster.
Pro tip: Using focus apps or setting a timer for “writing sprints” can help if you’re having a hard time concentrating.
8. Don’t Get Stuck on Perfection
It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting every sentence to be perfect as you go along. The problem? This leads to endless re-writing, and you’ll find yourself with very little done. Focus on getting the first draft out—perfection can come later.
The truth is, first drafts are supposed to be a little rough. You can refine, polish, and perfect during the editing stage. For now, get the words on the page.
9. Edit and Revise Like a Pro
Once your draft is done, it’s time to put on your editor’s hat. Walk away from your essay for a while—whether it’s an hour or a day—so you can come back to it with fresh eyes. Look for areas where you might have gone off-topic, and tighten up your arguments.
Make sure each paragraph has a clear point and flows logically to the next. This is also the time to check for grammatical errors or awkward sentences. If you’re unsure about your grammar, there are plenty of free tools to help with that too.
10. Ask for Feedback
Sometimes, a second set of eyes can catch things you missed. Ask a friend, family member, or classmate to read through your essay. They might notice gaps in logic or suggest stronger ways to phrase your points. Constructive feedback is gold—it’ll help you elevate your essay to the next level.
Even if you’re feeling confident, having someone else read your work can provide insights you hadn’t considered.
Wrap-Up
Writing an essay doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With a few strategic tips—like using a free essay tool, planning ahead, and asking for feedback—you can conquer that blank page. Just remember, every writer struggles at some point, and that’s okay! The important thing is to start, push through the tricky parts, and give yourself the grace to write imperfectly before perfecting later.