Coping up with Writer’s Block: Mechanics of Masters Dissertation Writing
Writing a masters dissertation or a doctoral thesis is a lengthy process. It takes days, months and years to get your research ideas into writing. Most often when you have done the required research and documentation, you will still be at loss of words when you begin with the task of writing. Because of the wide span of time in between the research and actual writing, a student either losses interest in the subject, looking for the right mood to begin writing, or when he/she begins with the writing, the ideas come in a muddled and haphazard way that it becomes difficult to write even a single sentence.
Such situations of writer’s paralysis is common to writers of all genre: creative or academic. Here are a few tips that can help you break away from writer’s paralysis.
1.If you feel an overload of information that makes you feel confused, jot down all the points as they occur to you. It is important to give form to your thoughts and have them in writing. Once this distraction is over, you can arrange your ideas by segregating them into meaningful units as per your requirements.
2. Automated writing is another good way to break writers paralysis. You must spill your mind onto the paper without caring about their utility, structure and dissertation format. This helps you clarify your muddled thoughts and helps in clearer thinking.
3. Work avoidance is another common writer’s block. It is important to overcome this phase, especially when you have a tight deadline. Begin with reading the topic that interest you, which will in the process lead you to your work. You may also, begin with reading your own notes and comments which triggers your mind and helps you begin writing.
4. Overcome anxiety and unnecessary stress that may be a hurdle in your writing. Remember that your first draft need not be word perfect with elegant phrasing and methodical ordering. Large writing assignments, in contrast to essay writing, evolve with time and subsequent writing samples. The pressure to deliver the best in your first draft may never let you bring your first sentence on paper.
5. Writer’s block is actually a thought block that slackens your writing. Take up activities that excites your thought process and makes you express your point of view. Read a text which has views in opposition to your thesis statement.
Writer’s paralysis may sometimes prove fruitful, as a lull can lead to a creative and fruitful outburst. But if you let it stay for long, you may lose time or worse, lose interest in your masters dissertation topic. The above mentioned remedies will be helpful in overcoming thought block and writing your masters dissertation within the given deadline.
