Essay trouble, aargh!!

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I'm having real trouble writing an essay at the moment. I've always had trouble with essay writing but this is the first time I've had to do it at uni. I thought I'd just 'get over it' but I should have known I couldn't when it's been the case all through my school years. The only time I successfully wrote an essay without too much trouble, was when I'd watched in 'Home Alone' and basically copied it out into a piece of creative writing.

The title we've been given is very vague, I can't see how I'm supposed to know what to write from that alone. However, on the powerpoint explaining our assessments, there are some points which are a few very different questions that I'm not finding helpful because they are not asking the same question as the essay title which confuses and frustrates me a bit.

It's taken me a long time to even get started and after coming up with some form of answer and barely covering 200 words, I don't know how on earth I'm supposed to fill the rest of the 500 word requirement (it's a formative essay) if I've already answered the question. I only wrote what I've written so far to try and get at least something on the page. I can't figure if it's a good start because I can't figure where I'm supposed to go with it from here.

I've tried breaking it down, setting myself a time limit to write X amount of words/lines, making notes of literally anything that comes into my head related to the subject but I can't figure if one; I'm writing the right sort of things or how to put them together for a suitable essay.

Any tips or help please??

When's it due? usually when I'm having trouble formulating my thoughts and writing them down on paper I usually shelve it and wait until a later time to try again.

17th Nov but in reality I have less than 10 days as I have other commitments and studying that I have to do as well. If I'm honest, I probably don't give this particular module enough time, as in I'm quite happy to spend hours on anatomy and physiology but this is more about concepts and theories heavily influenced by opinion and perception rather than more purely by fact.

I just need to figure out some strategies that are going to help in the process. I realise that the way my brain works is not going to change and the work is only going to get harder/increase in load but if I can figure some strategies that work, then I can at least cope and get through it.

Both types of essays require reading and information intake - factual and perception/opinion based. First thing I suggest you do is read up on the subject to form a solid and informed opinion. You could even write about other sides to the issue and discuss why they aren't valid, in your opinion. Even an opinion based essay is better and more likely to get better grades is those opinions are based on available evidence. It shows that you have a clue about what you're talking about.

Secondly, do you use word webs? It's a visual method of organising thoughts, and sometimes you might remember associations you hadn't thought of previously that you could explore.

Thirdly, some stress is good to enhance performance, but too much isn't. What I used to do when I was writing essays for school was stop, take a walk or do something else with a small notebook in my pocket, and think about the subject matter. When ideas or entire sentences cropping into my mind I would write them down.

Here's a page on a few tips for essay writing, I hope they are helpful.

https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/st ... iting.aspx

Thanks a lot for your reply.

I think I personally have a solid, informed opinion. Trouble is the title for the essay is 'How do occupational therapists' view occupation?', not 'How do you view occupation?' and the essay has to be written in third person so it's more difficult to just about what you personally think. What I've written so far basically says that there two responses usually given by OT's; a vague, generic explanation or a very context specific one which consequently ignores the value and versatility of OT's and an example of each. I don't know how I'm supposed to answer the question properly or say any more than I have anyway because you can't possible write how all OT's view occupation. What I want to do is write about how I see things, then I could show how I formed these thoughts and opinions, from my experiences, things I've read etc.

Yes, I do use word webs/mind maps. That's how I started when I began trying to write this essay. I still didn't know where to start so I just wrote down literally anything I could think of related to the subject. None of it really helped me to answer the essay question though. They were just sort of points/facts/opinions on a mind map, I couldn't transfer them into my essay writing :-/. It does at least help to stop the complete inertia in some way.

I have found that I need to work places where I'm able to get up and move about, not have to worry about losing concentration, my 'imaginary worlds' slipping out and people seeing me interacting with imaginary people/things. These things help me to cope but I do feel a bit embarrassed or worried what people might think (like my tutors, support staff etc) when I try to explain this. The logistics can be tricky anyway because it's often difficult to find a suitable room to work in.

Jeez, just did a word count and after the edit I did this morning leaving me with 80 words, in the 3 hours I've spent working today I have a grand total of 125 words . On a better note, I am happier with my opening paragraph, it's just like the engine (my brain) is partially seized up and it takes a monumental effort to keep trying to get anywhere :-/.

I'll check that link out, thanks

Yeah, tough question, and in my opinion, worded rather poorly as you couldn't possibly describe what how all OTs view occupation, nor are you meant to. Is it possible to ask your professor to clarify whether your views may be added to the mix?

If you're looking for paragraph-fillers you could start with an introduction to occupational therapy. Write a little on what it is, maybe add a brief historical account to describe how views have evolved over time (if they did - I'm not too familiar with occupational therapy myself).

Maybe spend a few lines contrasting and comparing the two main responses? What works and what doesn't? Why?

Elaborate your examples, if possible. Don't just cite them. Those are the evidence to support the development of your ideas.

Finally, finish off with concluding remarks, using what you have written previously as context.

The text should be cohesive in such a way that your main points are linked together throughout the text, from introduction to conclusion. Also, keep in mind that the reader isn't a telepathic person who will necessarily get what you're trying to imply. Take the time to elaborate.

Hang in there, you can do it!

Exactly. That's the trouble I have with the title. I couldn't possibly answer how all OT's view occupation.

I suppose I've tried to say a bit of what you've said already, basically saying that occupational science underpins OT, that even amongst OT's the definitions of occupation are often ambiguous, generic and often debated, then included a 'consensus definition'.
So I've tried to give a general view to a general question but I don't really know how to continue and fill the required word count when as far as I'm concerned, I've answered the question, it doesn't ask for anything more and if it does, it isn't clear to me because how can you deduce any other questions from 'How do OT's view occupation?'.

I was considering emailing my tutor for some advice/clarification but I don't have a clue what to say or how to say it without sounding useless/incapable and stupid.

I know when I really have something to say, like if I'm trying to write a reflection on a situation/event that means something to me or if I'm trying to write about something I'm particularly passionate about, the writing process although usually painful still, is much easier. Whatever I write though, once I finally have the finished product, it's usually very well written and articulate. So it's not that I have the trouble with, it's understanding exactly what is being asked of me, figuring a response, getting started and producing it/getting it from my brain onto paper. I don't know if they'd come under executive functioning?

Thanks again for responding It is helping me through a bit.

I really don't think you need to worry about the wording of the question, I think it's safe to say that you aren't expected to write about how all OT's view occupation.

You mentioned that you received a powerpoint with the assessments and some other questions. What are those questions, if I may ask?

It might be an executive functioning issue. It might be helpful if in the future you structure your response even before you begin. For a short essay one paragraph for the introduction usually is sufficient, then one for each idea in which you develop your points and another paragraph for the conclusion, where you tie it all together.

My ideas are really fragmented at times and jumped all over the place, so I would rarely start writing from the beginning (introduction) which caused me to loose focus. What I used to do which I feel helped me a lot was divide a page physically and write down ideas in their "proper" places. After that was done I would focus on cohering the sentences and ideas together.

Hmm maybe it's just me being pedantic :-/ the question just irritates me because it's impossible to answer! You can answer the powerpoint questions but they are not what the essay question is literally asking is it, so it's the wrong question!

The powerpoint has a slide that say's 'what could the essay include?' and then some points which are:
- Definitions of occupation from different authors and a discussion of these.
- How different authors describe occupation and it’s relationship to health.
- How occupation is dependent on the person’s abilities but also on the context they are in.
- What occupational analysis and activity analysis is and how it can help our understanding of the complexity of occupation.
- PEO interplay.

I tried to answer these points separately and had my own notes/thoughts of how I personally view occupation but I still couldn't configure them/translate them into writing my essay. That's why I gave up on it and just started trying to write what answer to the essay question I had, which was that it varies greatly amongst OT's as to how they view occupation but gave one consensus definition I found.

Now that I've spent several hours on it and have a better idea of what is expected of me, the idea of structuring it the way you've just said helps to visualise things better, like I can see how the essay will unfold/pan out better. I guess I need to figure a way of being at this point nearer the start!

Yeah, I can see why people would be irritated by that question -- it really is poorly worded.

The powerpoint questions are extras, there to guide you when writing your essay. You don't have to answer them but they will help you reach that word count -- and are probably what your tutor is looking for when grading your text.

If you choose to write a on those points, the first two can be merged into one paragraph. It seems a factual answer will suffice, which could make it easier. Simple and to the point: discuss how different authors view occupation and its relationship to health. The third and following points could each be in their own paragraph, if they are expressing different ideas.

Thanks for all your advice! I'll let you know how I get on!

No problem! Glad I could help.

You're an articulate person, you'll do fine.

I am not sure if you still need some help. The thing is I really like your essay. You are doing well. I would recommend you to read and practice more. So you'll be able to improve your skills. And in case you need help with editing of proofreading you can contact Supreme essay service. Those guys do a great job. So you can give them a try. All the best!