2 of 13

Write now Article Tools

Even for the best students, timed writings can be stressful and frustrating. Most people can manage to write an essay in the comfort of their own home with the luxury of time on their side. However, that skill does not always translate to demonstrating knowledge of a subject matter when given a strict time limit in the classroom.

There is one key to overcoming fears and doubts about timed writings: preparation. The students who succeed on in-class essays are not always those with the highest averages. Rather, they are those who come in with a calm attitude, knowing exactly how they will approach the assignment.

The first and most important step in preparing for a timed essay is to stay calm. Know that there is a time limit, but do not obsess over it. Constantly thinking about the time will only set off more worrying and steal a student's focus away from the essay at hand. Avoid this trap by being confident before entering the classroom and all throughout the testing period.

Another aspect of being prepared is knowing as much as possible about the essay topic in advance. Clearly, this will be impossible if the topic is not revealed until the day of the assessment. If this is not the case, though, study class notes and do additional research in order to feel comfortable in answering any question that may be part of the exam.

Once in the testing room, do not start writing immediately. An outline is a helpful tool in organizing thoughts. Although it may initially seem to be a waste of time, it will ultimately save time. There is nothing more frustrating for a student than getting halfway through a timed essay only to realize the perfect idea he or she had for the second body paragraph completely slipped his or her mind. Keep the outline brief, though, and set a time limit of five minutes.

Now, the actual essay writing begins. Do not spend too much time trying to craft the perfect opening sentence. Writing a quick but informative introduction paragraph will leave plenty of time for the body paragraphs of the essay, which is the most critical part of a timed writing. Introductions are far more valued in long, take-home papers than they are for timed assignments.

While writing, keep in mind the importance of proofreading. A timed essay does require people to write a lot of information in a small amount of time, so it will probably not be their best work. Leaving at least five minutes at the end to thoroughly read over the essay is an invaluable step. This way, spelling and grammar related errors can be fixed, and long or confusing sentences can be clarified.

Knowing these steps in advance will make students more comfortable with facing a timed essay. These assignments will then serve as a way to boost grades, rather than lower them.

Learn more about this author, Julie Kliegman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Getting comfortable with timed essays?
We want to hear your view. Write now!