Do you face with the struggle of writing assignments or even small things like a simple email?
Many of us who graduate college struggle to write and communicate effectively. Schools don’t teach us to write like a human or how to properly email businesses and customers.
So how did I overcome writer’s block?
Practice.
Practice in every manner even in unconventional ways. Read nonfiction books or anything you enjoy reading (doesn’t have to be a book, magazines are acceptable too), write at least a minute a day or a few minutes every other day depending on your schedule. Baby steps are the key here because you don’t want to burn out or overwhelm yourself. Heck even coherent and logical Facebook arguments would help you.
I’ve found that reading books and articles about economics, philosophy, and political philosophy helped me think in a logical way, which in turn helped me argue better on Facebook.
There is no shame in participating in these despite that people think it’s pointless and a waste of time. It’s acceptable to engage in Facebook arguments if and only if you have logic and reasoning skills, or if you’re engaging in dialogue and not mudslinging.
I broke through writer’s block after I did these things but that does not mean it’s gone. Simply, I adapted better and overcame my hatred of writing. I wrote about topics I liked and could relate to. And Facebook arguments also help you think faster.
What caused writer’s block for me?
I had writer’s block from 10th grade and well into college. It got so bad to the point where I was okay with receiving an F for a project in 11th grade. I flat out refused to write.
Teachers taught us to write in a cookie cutter “voice.” High school students are still beginner writers especially if they’ve gone through public schools. Basic level writers normally write in the first person with a narrative voice because they don’t know any other way to effectively communicate and relate to the reader.
Would it be realistic to expect fledgling writers to know how to write a research paper right off the bat? Of course not, but yet public high school teachers expect just that.
My 10th grade English teacher had those unrealistic expectations and was frustrated at my class for not knowing how to write “properly.” She also admitted that she didn’t want to teach 10th grade which discouraged everyone even more.
Proper guidance and support are also key and forcing someone to not be themselves will only backfire.
Instead, teachers and educators should encourage students to pursue their natural talents instead of following a rigid curriculum with no consent from the student. Some of us are better at prose and others want to pursue academic papers. Not every student needs to know how to write a research paper, it’s not a necessary skill outside of academia.