As you prepare to submit your first assignment, consider these practical writing tips: Writing includes more than the actual typing of words.

As you prepare to submit your first assignment, consider these practical writing tips:

• Writing includes more than the actual typing of words. Make a list of the tasks involved (finding an article, reading it, ensuring you understand it, organizing your thoughts for writing).
• Set specific writing goals (e.g., complete the outline, write one section). Make a list so you know what to do next to give yourself direction when you sit down to work.
• Schedule your time. Give yourself five hours this week to complete this assignment (NOT in one block). What can you do in ten minutes? Twenty? Thirty?
• When you're ready to stop working, try to go for another five minutes.
• Give yourself a reward when you complete each goal!

In the What You Need to Know activity this week, multiple writing tips were provided. Discuss one of the following:

1. Which writing tip did you try? What was useful? What could make it more effective?
2. What distracted you? How will you handle it in the future?