As writers, it is often difficult to think of how to start. Whether it be an essay or everyone’s favorite, a literacy narrative, there are many ways to get going.
When I am faced with beginning a new writing project I find I have to also start thinking about who my audience is and what will appeal to them on top of what I am trying to say. Who your audience is, and what would appeal to them, can be one of the hardest questions writers have to answer. Luckily, for most of the First Year Writing projects, your audience has been predetermined as your classmates and professor. Unluckily, if this is your first time writing an essay that does not conform to the 5 paragraph format, knowing how to appeal to your classmates and professor can still be very difficult.
My suggestion would be this, take the time to talk with your professor (they don’t bite… unless you ask them too) and see how to appeal to them as your audience. Next, talk with your classmates and see what they think works and doesn’t; this is almost always a mixed bag of good and bad because they are in the same boat you are.
The next thing I think about when I am starting a new writing project is the topic. Again, in most cases the general idea has been chosen for you, but there is always room to put your own personal spin on those writing prompts.
Personally, I often find my topic and my audience are intertwined, so use the conversations with your professor and classmates as a chance to ask about topics and see what they come up with. While writing these essays it may feel like you are alone in your ideas, but it may help to remember that all of your classmates are trying to do the same things.
My second to last piece of advise is fairly straight forward. Don’t be afraid to fail. The first draft is just that, the first instance where your ideas may come together beautifully, or flop around like squid in finger paint. Either way, writing is a learning experience, and while it may not feel like you are learning while working on these essays, you are learning about yourselves and how your brains work, which will make the next project a little easier.
My last, and closest to my heart, piece of advice is going to The Writing Center @ MSU. We can help with nearly any writing need that you can come up with. With a wide array of skills our staff is there to help you out when you get stuck, need to check your citations, or just need someone to look over your ideas and talk to. Utilize our service, we are here to help!
I hope this post relieves some of the first project blues. Good luck and keep writing.