<p>I honestly don't know what's happened to me. Ever since junior year started, I've been absolutely terrible at writing timed essays. I've been getting 3's and 4's on my APUSH essays.
I used to be really confident in my writing skills. In fact, it was pretty much the only thing I could take pride in. Maybe I was overconfident, I don't know. But whatever happened, it's only getting worse.
At the beginning of the year, I was doing great. I got 9's and 8's. Then after I got a 4 on a Jacksonian Democracy essay, my confidence has been completely shot. Every time we write an essay in class, I literally want to cry. </p>
<p>Today, we had our final DBQ. Naturally, I was incredibly worried about it, so I studied the topic for hours. (she gave us three topics that we would be randomly given)
When we started the essay, I completely blanked out and forgot a lot of my outside information.
I kept second-guessing my sentences and scribbling them out. I ended up only writing 2 1/2 paragraphs, and they were all awful. I know I'm going to get a 3, or worse. Everyone else in my class either finished early or they were a sentence away from finishing. It takes me literally 20 minutes to write a paragraph, and we only have 45 minutes.
I'm always aware of the time constraint, but that only makes me even more stressed.</p>
<p>Practice, and stop stressing out about it. The more you stress, the more likely you are to blank.
And just write, don’t think about a sentence one it’s down, that’s not the point of timed writing.</p>
<p>Well, I am just a sophomore but in AP World History we have to do the same thing, just less often. I take timed essays in my English classes though (and we have to start writing at least 6 paragraphs!) and the best advice I can give you is to keep practicing. I would take timed writing tests online or something (I think on Collegeboard’s online SAT you can take timed essays). At first I failed two or three essays just because I didn’t finish, but eventually you learn what details are needed and which are unnecessary.</p>
<p>The huge part of it is understanding what your thesis is (simple and to the point) and what examples you are using to back yourself up. When you have an example, use a maximum of 3-4 sentences to describe it. First sentence is background, the next two are details, and the last is a quick summary of how it relates to your thesis. It takes a while to master.</p>
<p>I would also buy a watch. I find I work much better when I know exactly what time it is, because I can decide when I can go full out with my wording and make it more impressive, or when I should just go for a straight-forward, simple essay.</p>
<p>Go back and read the essays you got 9’s and 8’s on and compare them to the ones you got 3’s and 4’s on. Try to make a distinction in what you’re doing differently and remember that you can always get back to those 8’s and 9’s! You do have the abilities. </p>
<p>Practice a lot too. It will help the most. Maybe you could practice on your own and then have your teacher read them over to see if you’re doing any better. Or practice with a teacher so it’s the same kind of environment.</p>
<p>Is it really okay if the essay doesn’t sound that great? I find it difficult to write quality paragraphs and write quickly at the same time.
I end up reusing words and that generally sounds terrible. But then I end up wasting time trying to think of suitable synonyms.</p>
<p>Anxiety: Talk to a professional or counselor. If you can get to the root of the anxiety it should be easier to control.</p>
<p>Control: I suspect that you’re a bit of a perfectionist. You are searching for the perfect sentences when the perfect sentence rarely exists in the construct of an examination. The further you go in your school career the more demanding the assignment and tests will become and the less control and mastery you will have over the subject matter until finally most everything is interpretive thought and imagination. (Graduate School). Here’s a bit of a mantra for you. I cannot know everything. I will not know everything. Everything that is important I will try to learn.</p>
<p>Test Hint: Have one or two mnemonic devices. Write it down as soon as the test starts. For every letter in the device try to write a simple paragraph.</p>
<p>Writing Style: Until you get your grove back, concentrate on the active voice. Subject, verb, action. </p>
<p>G.L.</p>
<p>It’s too late for your semester grade now, I’m assuming, but I would suggest doing some practice DBQs and FRQs when you have the chance. </p>
<p>It sounds like you have your finals now, so now might not be a good time. But the essay is a pretty important part of the exam. Don’t count on getting all of the multiple choice questions right; you probably won’t. Do well on the essay so you don’t have to be as stressed over the multiple choice.</p>
<p>:( I’m probably ending APUSH with a low B. So my chances of getting into any college that I want to get into are pretty much ruined.
This was my last chance to salvage my grade, and I completely blew it, despite studying a huge amount.
I don’t know if I can ever be good at timed writing, at least not before our next DBQ.</p>
<p>Hey now!</p>
<p>Look on the bright side of things. Find what you need to improve to reduce the number of mistakes you had made, so you won’t do it again later on. Enjoy the writing if possible and improve/make goals. From self-motivation you can achieve anything if you have your mind set to it. You’re on your own, good luck.</p>
<p>Hope for the best,
atran048</p>