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The Importance of Time in the Writing Process

Many students turn in poorly written papers because they skip the first step (freewriting) and last step (rewriting/revising) and make do with the middle one (drafting). The best writing is usually done over an extended period of time, not as a last-minute task.

When planning the amount of time you’ll need to write your paper, make sure to add enough time for the following:

Asking your instructor for clarification on the assignment
Seeking help from a librarian or from the writing center
Narrowing or expanding your topic, which might require finding some new sources
Balancing other assignments and commitments
Dealing with technology problems

Writing for class projects might be a challenge at first. It is important to leave time to get help from writing center staff or trained peers in the academic support/learning centers. Also, ask your instructor for examples of papers that have received good grades. You might show your instructor a draft of your paper and explain how the writing center has helped you.