So, you’ve decided to take a crack at writing. Maybe it’s because your professor assigned an essay, or maybe it’s because you’re planning to rant about the world falling apart. Whatever the reason, let’s not sugarcoat things—you probably hate it. Writing can feel like pulling teeth, especially if you’re stuck staring at a blank page, clueless about where to start. But fear not, because I’m about to give you some tips on how to up your writing game in a way that even a Gallagher would appreciate.
Look, writing doesn’t have to be some long, soul-sucking endeavor. You can break it down into bite-sized steps—easy enough that even someone trying to pay off a mountain of debt or survive family drama can pull it off. And here’s the kicker: you can actually enjoy it. Yeah, I know, I sound like a lying politician right now, but trust me. It’s possible.
What I’m about to lay out is simple, quick, and effective. Let’s take a look at how to improve your writing with three essential steps: Finding an Angle, Finding Evidence, and Creating an Outline. Don’t worry—I won’t make you use big fancy words, and I’m not gonna throw any useless academic jargon at you. I’m just gonna give it to you straight.
Step 1: Find an Angle – AKA, What’s Your Story?
Writing without a clear angle is like trying to fix a broken water heater without tools. You’ll just stand there, frustrated, staring at it, wondering why it’s not working. To avoid this, you need to find a unique perspective—something that gets to the heart of what you’re writing about.
Ask yourself some basic questions to get started:
- What do I know about this topic?
- What do I want to learn more about?
- What am I actually trying to say?
You don’t need to know everything about a topic. Just find something specific and unique that grabs your attention. Once you’ve got that down, narrow your idea even further. Imagine you’re writing a headline—something snappy and focused that sums up your main point. The more you narrow it down, the less you’ll find yourself rambling. And trust me, the last thing you want is to be that person who rambles on and on without making a clear point. No one wants to read that, let alone grade it.
Let’s say you’re tackling a subject like “Why College Students Are Burnt Out.” You could dive into a whole dissertation on the modern education system (yawn), but you’d be much better off focusing on a narrower, more specific angle. Like, “How TikTok and Social Media Contribute to College Burnout.” Boom! Now you’ve got something fresh, something that catches attention. And you’re not just another person moaning about the education system.
Step 2: Find Evidence – AKA, Don’t Just Talk the Talk
Here’s the deal: anyone can have an opinion. You know that friend who goes on a rant every time you mention pineapple pizza? Yeah, opinions are everywhere. But when it comes to writing, you can’t just throw out opinions without backing them up. You need evidence to support what you’re saying.
This is where the research part comes in, and I know you probably hate the idea of digging through articles or textbooks, but relax. You don’t need to become a research wizard. You just need to find a couple of strong points that’ll support your argument. Look for facts, data, quotes, or even surprising bits of information that can elevate your argument.
For example, if you’re writing about social media burnout, dig up a few studies about how much time students spend scrolling through TikTok, and how that affects their mental health. You’ll also want to include evidence that both supports and counters your argument. Why? Because it makes you look well-rounded, like you actually took the time to think things through. Throw in a stat that says, “Not everyone who uses TikTok gets burnt out,” and suddenly, you’re the smart person in the room who sees things from all sides.
Step 3: Outline – AKA, Don’t Be a Mess
An outline is like the blueprint of your writing. Without it, your paper will probably look like a wrecked car—chaotic and all over the place. Trust me, you don’t want to be halfway through your paper, thinking, “Where the hell am I going with this?” An outline keeps you on track, like a map guiding you toward the end of your essay with minimal detours.
Here’s how you break it down:
- Introduction – Start strong. Lay out your main idea or thesis statement. It doesn’t have to be the next great American novel, but it does need to grab attention. Think of it as the hook. Tell the reader what you’re going to talk about, and why it matters.
- Body Paragraphs – This is where you get into the meat of your argument. Use your evidence here, and remember to break things up into clear sections. If your paper is on social media burnout, maybe have one paragraph about how it disrupts sleep, another on how it contributes to procrastination, and a final one on how it fuels comparison culture. Simple, right?
- Conclusion – Don’t overthink this part. Summarize your argument, wrap things up, and maybe leave the reader with a final thought or question. You don’t need to pull some dramatic, life-changing conclusion here. Just bring it home in a way that feels satisfying.
And hey, don’t forget to share your outline with someone. Whether it’s a friend, a professor, or even an AI tool (because why not?), getting feedback can help you adjust and improve before you dive into the full draft.
Bonus Tips for the Win
Now that you’ve got the basic structure down, let me throw a few more pointers your way. These will help you not just survive, but thrive in the wild world of writing.
- Keep It Clear – Don’t use big, fancy words just to sound smart. No one’s impressed. If you can say something in three words instead of ten, do it. Simplicity is key.
- Make It Flow – Don’t jump from point to point like you’re hopping around in a dodgeball game. Transition smoothly from one idea to the next, so the reader doesn’t feel like they’re getting whiplash.
- Revise, Revise, Revise – Your first draft is never going to be perfect. Accept it. Once you’re done writing, walk away from it for a while, then come back with fresh eyes. You’ll be surprised at what you can improve.
- Don’t Be Boring – Yes, you can still have a voice in academic writing. I mean, look at me. Am I dry and boring? No. Bring some personality to the table, even if it’s a little. Your professor has to read dozens of these papers. Make yours stand out.
Wrapping It Up – You Got This!
Writing doesn’t have to be the worst part of your life. In fact, once you get the hang of it, it can actually be kind of fun. Shocking, right? But even if it’s not your favorite thing in the world, these steps will help you turn your writing from a mess into something solid, structured, and even—dare I say it—impressive.
So next time you’re staring down the barrel of an essay, remember to:
- Find a solid angle
- Back it up with evidence
- Create a clean outline
With a little effort (and maybe an energy drink or two), you can tackle writing like a pro. And who knows, you might even get an A.
Now get to it, word warrior. The page isn’t gonna write itself.