How I did it: First, I sat in front of my computer for a week knowing what I wanted to talk about but not being able to come up with a first sentence.  Then I wrote 14 pages of timelined history about my topic (my experience with depression), then I narrowed that down to 2-3 pages (double spaced), then I build on that in a forward timeline (healing), etc.  After I had my rough essay (weak intro, weaker conclusion, no title, no quotes) I sent it off to four people to proof read.  Three sent it back with edits.  Another person gave me their feedback on the side.  One of my editors (the fourth) never really got back to me--no big deal.  Got my edits back and ran through them one at a time.  That took a while.  Then, spent two days searching the internet for the right quotes.  Sent my top 5 to a friend who shot back the one he liked--which I had initially liked but decided it was too whimsical.  Went with that quote.  He sent me five more and one was perfect for my conclusion which I wrote out.  Tweaked the intro the other day... And BAM, essay done.   

Lessons & tips: Think a lot before you start.  I thought through what I wanted my essay to feel and look like for hours before I started.  If that doesn't work freewrite on your topic for 30 minutes and then hack up what you got on paper and it will start morphing.  I can't write paper outlines so I can't give pointers on that.  I did scribble down approximately what I wanted (does that count?): history of depression, healing path and "what am I doing now?"  So maybe try something like that.  (I'm applying for a Masters Degree in Counseling... hence all the depression stuff)

Resources: The Internet.  My more grammatically correct friends.  Microsoft Word. Open Office.  Lots of E-mailing back and forth....

Jan 23, 12:04PM PST | 0 comments | 12 cheers