I’m trying to write an academic paper and I don’t know where to begin.

Academic writing can be great, but sometimes, you’re just sick of it and it feels like writing one more conclusion will kill you. If you have time, talk to your instructor. If you don’t know how to talk to your instructor, here are some hints. First, think about what you’ve read, heard, and done, so far, in the class. What interested you? Was there something you loved? A subject you absolutely loathed? If that doesn’t give you any ideas, take it to your instructor during office hours. Tell them, I hated X or the way that so-and-so described X. Would recommend some reading that would help me analyze those ideas in a paper? See how easy?

Sometimes graders will have very specific ideas about a paper, but if you talk to them, they will be more flexible. Say there is something from class that you flat out did not understand. Now, you want to study it more, but you’re afraid to because your paper won’t be as good as it would be if you wrote another paper about a subject that is easy for you. Again, stop into office hours. Tell your instructor that in spite of doing the reading, listening to the lecture, and reviewing your notes, you still have no idea what Y is all about. Ask them if they can recommend any additional reading for the paper, and if they are willing to be patient with a paper that is about exploring or developing comprehension of a particular idea. If not, ask them to help you guide you to something that might work for both of you.