Techniques & strategies for writers of all levels.
How do writers write? By writing, of course! Although seemingly simple, the practice of writing can be as challenging as it can be rewarding. Whether writing a short paper or an entire dissertation, developing and maintaining sustainable writing practices allows you to avoid stress and burnout while cultivating your writing skills. In this resource guide, you’ll find a range of strategies and techniques we recommend to help writers augment, refine, and streamline their existing writing process.
Timed writing sessions
Time management in writing can be a challenging prospect, particularly when you are writing on your own. Timed writing sessions can be a useful method of task-oriented time management, particularly for writers who struggle to get started or with balancing work and break time.
Social writing
Writing is often a solitary process, but many writers find that they are more productive and inspired when writing with company. As a writing practice, social writing can be a helpful way to establish accountability and foster connections with fellow writers. Find a writing community or start your own with resources from the OWRC.
Visual revision techniques
Revision is an important part of the writing process, but also one of the most challenging for many writers. Incorporating an array of techniques and modes of processing information can help you strengthen and streamline your process. Two techniques recommended at the OWRC include idea mapping and shuffle editing.
Writing habitually
For large writing projects such as a thesis or dissertation, cultivating a regular writing habit can be a helpful way of maintaining momentum and preventing a last-minute time crunch. Setting aside short, regular writings sessions helps ensure continued progress on long-term writing projects while preventing the burnout and stress associated with deadline-driven writing spurts.
Process notes
Every writer has a different approach to the writing process. Using process notes to reflect on how we write can help us better understand our process and how to structure our writing practices to best suit our individual work styles and flows.