Word of the Day
put something off
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to decide or arrange to delay an event or activity until a later time or date
Like a bull in a china shop: talking about people who are clumsy
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Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
focusing (on)
“Focusing (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focusing%20%28on%29. Accessed 4 Sep. 2024.
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To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.
Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.
It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.
If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.
Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.
Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”
Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”
Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”
Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”
Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”
Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.
Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”
Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”
Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”
Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”
Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”
Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”
Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”
Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”
Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”
Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.
Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”
When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.
Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”
Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”
Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”
Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”
Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”
Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”
Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”
Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.
Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”
Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”
Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”
Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”
Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”
Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”
Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”
Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.
Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”
Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”
When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.
Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”
Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”
Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”
You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.
Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”
Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”
Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”
Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”
Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”
How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.
At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine and engineering .
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“In this essay, I will” is a common way for people to talk about what they will write in their essays. However, it’s often overused, which is why it might be wise to look into a few available alternatives. This article will share the best ones with you.
There are plenty of other ways to write this phrase. We’ll take you through the following to show you how they’re effective:
The preferred versions do not reference the “essay” at all. Instead, the best options are “you will learn about” and “you will find out about.” These work well because they save time and words in the essay, and they don’t seem like wasted space for the reader.
“You will learn about” works well because it shows the reader straight away what they will learn. We do not have to use the phrase “In this essay” or anything similar because they’re already aware that they are reading an essay.
The biggest problem with writing “in this essay” is that it’s a waste of time and words. Anyone reading your essay is typically evaluating it, so they do not need to be reminded what they are reading.
Instead, you should try to impress them with the contents of your essay and the points you want to highlight. The quicker you can explain the basic points you will touch on, the more engaged your examiner will be throughout the written piece.
Here are a few examples that will help you make the most of it:
“You will find out about” works in much the same way. We still do not mention the “essay.” It helps us show what we will be demonstrating. It only needs to be a sentence or two, but it’s a great way to explore our main idea without any other unnecessary bits.
Check out some of these examples to see how it works:
“I find… really interesting…” is a two-part phrase. We typically include the subject of the essay after “find” and then go on to explain why we find that subject “really interesting.” It’s a great way to avoid using “essay” in the introduction for no reason.
We can use this phrase with great success in many cases. It helps us to evaluate the overall tone and message behind our essay before we’ve even begun. Many readers and examiners look forward to reading essays set up in this way.
You can see how it works in the following examples:
“This essay demonstrates” is a good phrase to start an essay if you want to include the phrase. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with starting essays with a phrase like this; it mostly depends on personal choice and writing style.
Some examiners do not like reading things starting with “in this essay” or “this essay does this.” In those cases, you might be better suited to try to remove it. It’s also good practice to get you used to start your essays in more exciting ways.
However, if you like the style of including “this essay” and similar phrases, there are no reasons why you shouldn’t be able to do that!
“This essay will discuss” is another way to share the overall point of your essay. The sooner we can convey the overall meaning, the more interested the reader will be. It helps them to know what they are reading about before they begin.
Here are a few examples to show you how it works:
“In this essay, you will learn” helps to show a bit more confidence in your writing skills. If you say “you will learn,” it sounds like an order, which is a great way to show that you are confident enough to explain things correctly. It’s the mark of a strong and capable writer.
Check out some examples of how it might work:
“I will show both sides of the argument” helps you to evaluate the question of the essay. This works because it does not outright state you are writing an “essay” (saving time). It also shows that you want to cover both sides to remain unbiased as best you can.
Here are some examples of how it works:
“This essay will analyze” is another great way to start an essay with the words “essay” and “will.” It helps to sound confident when using phrases like this, and it goes over the things that the essay is likely to cover.
Some examples will help you to understand it better:
This phrase works well to either agree or disagree with the question. Most essays ask a question that you are supposed to ponder. Starting an essay with your direct opinion is a good way to engage the reader early on.
The sooner you can keep the reader engaged, the better off you’ll be. It’ll make your writing sound much more professional and should score you higher marks in the long run.
Check out these examples for more help:
“This paper will explore” is the last alternative we want to cover. It’s possible to replace “essay” in all cases with “paper,” and many readers prefer to see this because it does not sound as wasteful or as obvious.
The idea behind both “this essay” and “this paper” is the same. However, it’s up to you which one you think looks best on the page.
Here are some examples:
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .
When exploring the English language, the term “focus” often emerges as a pivotal concept. It captures the essence of attention, concentration, and importance within a context. Whether it’s central to a conversation, crucial in a photograph, or key to understanding a broader topic, this word carries significant weight. With a wealth of synonyms available, you can express the idea of focus in various ways to suit different scenarios, each carrying a subtle nuance that can enhance your message.
“ Focus ,” as a noun , pertains to the central point of interest or activity, the heart of a discussion, or the main area of concentration. When you use “focus,” you’re pinpointing the hub of importance within a certain context. As a verb , to focus means to direct your attention or resources on something specific.
Location-based, importance-based, foundation-based, common synonyms for focus, focus vs. concentration.
When you use focus , you’re referring to the point at which various elements come together. It can also imply a branching-off point for these elements. Concentration suggests a gathering or collection of attention or substances within a given area. While both involve an aggregation of something, focus is often used in a broader sense, including subjects like light, attention, or efforts, whereas concentration usually refers to an intensity of mental focus or the density of something.
Center denotes the middle point of a circle or sphere, equidistant from every point on the circumference. In more abstract use, center indicates the most important or active part or place within a larger area or group. Focus and center can be used interchangeably when discussing the central nexus of activity or interest.
Aim implies a direction or goal towards which efforts are directed. While focus encapsulates a gathering point of attention or resources, aim suggests an end target or objective. Thus, while the term focus can be about both process and endpoint, aim is usually reserved for the objective or the goal itself.
In the realm of attention and concentration.
Absolute synonyms for focus.
Word | Meaning |
---|---|
Center | Main point of interest or activity. |
Core | Central or most important part of something. |
Heart | Central or most crucial part of an issue. |
Nucleus | Central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth. |
Word | Meaning |
---|---|
Hub | Effective center of an activity, region, or network. |
Axis | Central line around which everything revolves. |
Nexus | Connection or series of connections within a particular situation or system. |
Epicenter | Point of focus or greatest impact, often used metaphorically beyond its seismic context. |
What is an alternative expression for ‘main focus’?
Your main focus can also be described as your central concern, nucleus, or hub of interest.
How can one describe a very intense level of concentration?
You can describe a profound level of attention as intense concentration or deep focus.
What term is equivalent to ‘concentrate’ in a scholarly setting?
In an academic context, you might use the word ‘deliberate’ as a formal equivalent to ‘concentrate’.
Can you provide a more sophisticated term for ‘focused on’?
A more sophisticated term synonymous with ‘focused on’ is ‘engrossed in’.
Is there a synonym for ‘concentration’ that signifies deep engagement?
For deep engagement, ‘immersion’ is often used as a synonym for ‘concentration’.
Students are often asked to write an essay on Focus in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.
Let’s take a look…
Introduction.
Focus is the ability to concentrate on a specific task or goal, ignoring distractions. It’s a key skill that helps us accomplish tasks effectively.
Focus is important because it allows us to complete tasks faster and with fewer mistakes. It also helps us learn new things more easily.
Improving focus can be achieved by setting clear goals, eliminating distractions, and taking regular breaks. Practicing mindfulness can also help.
In conclusion, focus is a vital skill for success. By improving our focus, we can achieve our goals more efficiently.
Also check:
The power of focus.
The human mind, a complex marvel of nature, is capable of extraordinary feats when it’s focused. Focus, the ability to concentrate all your attention on a single task or subject, is a crucial element in achieving success and productivity.
Productivity is a direct result of focus. The ability to concentrate on a single task, blocking out distractions, leads to higher quality work in less time. Multitasking, contrary to popular belief, often results in decreased productivity due to the mental effort required to switch between tasks.
Focus is also fundamental in the learning process. It enhances our ability to absorb and retain information, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Without focus, we merely skim the surface, unable to fully grasp or remember the information presented to us.
Beyond productivity and learning, focus contributes to our overall well-being. A focused mind is a calm mind, less prone to anxiety and stress. By focusing on the present moment, we can enjoy a sense of peace and contentment that’s often missing in our fast-paced lives.
Cultivating focus is a skill that can be developed with practice. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, prioritizing tasks, and taking regular breaks can significantly enhance our ability to focus.
Focus is a fundamental cognitive function that plays a crucial role in the achievement of our goals. It is the ability to concentrate on a particular task or idea, eliminating distractions to maximize productivity and quality. This essay will delve into the importance of focus, the challenges it faces, and strategies to improve it.
The significance of focus extends beyond academic performance or professional growth. It is a critical aspect of our daily lives. In a world inundated with information and distractions, the ability to focus on a single task or thought can be a powerful tool. It enhances our learning capabilities, boosts creativity, and improves problem-solving skills. Moreover, focus can lead to improved mental health by reducing stress and anxiety related to multitasking or feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks.
Strategies to enhance focus.
Given the challenges, it is crucial to develop strategies to improve our focus. One such strategy is mindfulness, a form of meditation where one focuses on being intensely aware of what they’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help improve our ability to focus by training our brain to dismiss irrelevant thoughts and distractions.
Another strategy is the implementation of the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management method that breaks work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. This technique promotes sustained focus and prevents burnout.
In conclusion, focus is an invaluable asset in our daily lives, contributing to improved productivity, enhanced learning capabilities, and better mental health. However, the modern world presents numerous challenges to maintaining focus. By incorporating strategies such as mindfulness, the Pomodoro Technique, and creating a conducive environment, we can enhance our ability to focus, leading to improved performance in various aspects of life. As we navigate through the information age, the ability to focus will continue to be a vital skill, making its cultivation more important than ever.
If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:
Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .
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In academic writing , there is a tendency to overuse common phrases like “In this essay, I will.” While this phrase clearly outlines what the essay will cover, using it repeatedly can make your writing boring and repetitive.
In this article, I aim to provide readers with 10 effective synonyms for “In this essay, I will” to add variety to their essays and papers. Using different languages keeps the reader engaged and demonstrates a more advanced writing style.
This post aims to expand your options when introducing the topics covered in an essay. You can craft a strong opening that draws readers in by avoiding overused phrases and incorporating more creative language.
Whether writing for school, work, or your blog, having alternate ways to say “In this essay, I will” will improve the flow of your writing. The examples provided will help you replace the standard phrase in your work.
I hope you find these tips useful for taking your essay introductions to the next level.
It is wrong to overuse the phrase “In this essay, I will” in academic writing. Though this phrase clearly outlines the topics that will be covered, relying on it too heavily can make your writing repetitive and boring for the reader.
Here are a few reasons why it’s best to avoid overusing “In this essay, I will”:
While “In this essay, I will” can be useful when used sparingly, relying on this phrase too much results in monotonous writing . Keeping introductions lively and avoiding repetition makes a paper more appealing to read. With some thought and creativity, there are many engaging ways to smoothly introduce the key points in an academic essay.
This directly states the intended goal of your essay and informs the reader of its primary aim.
Example: The purpose of this essay is to ignite a national conversation about the alarming decline of bee populations and its potential consequences for our food security.
Similar to the first option, it suggests a more focused exploration of the chosen topic.
Example: This essay aims to delve into the psychological motivations behind historical figures often labeled as “villains,” uncovering the complexities that shaped their actions.
This creates a sense of anticipation and informs the reader about the specific areas you’ll be covering.
Example: In the following pages, I intend to dissect the intricate power dynamics within Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” unveiling the societal norms and hidden agendas that fuel the characters’ interactions.
Similar to “aims to,” but emphasizes the desired outcome you hope to achieve with your essay.
Example: The goal of this piece is to empower individuals to recognize and combat microaggressions in their daily lives, fostering a more inclusive and respectful society.
Highlights the journey of exploration your essay will take, suggesting a more dynamic reading experience.
Example: Throughout this essay, I plan to embark on a literary safari through the captivating world of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” unraveling its magical realism and timeless themes.
Emphasizes a clear and objective approach to the topic, suitable for informative essays.
Example: In this document, my objective is to provide a balanced overview of the pros and cons of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), equipping readers with the information needed to form their own informed opinions.
Narrows down the specific aspect of the topic you’ll be concentrating on.
Example: The focus of this composition will be to analyze the stylistic innovations and recurring themes within the poetry of Sylvia Plath, exploring her unique contribution to the confessionalist movement.
Similar to “focus,” but emphasizes your intent and guiding principle throughout the essay.
Example: Throughout this paper, I intend to critically examine the portrayal of mental illness in mainstream media, challenging harmful stereotypes and advocating for accurate representation .
Conveys a strong and aspirational goal for your essay, highlighting its potential impact.
Example: The ambition of this work is to reimagine the future of education, promoting personalized learning experiences that ignite students’ curiosity and foster lifelong adaptability.
Expresses a personal desire to achieve something meaningful with your essay, adding a touch of emotional engagement.
Example: Within this text, I aspire to illuminate the hidden beauty and resilience of overlooked communities, fostering empathy and inspiring action for positive change.
In summary, using more varied language to introduce the topics covered adds creativity and enhances the flow of an essay. The alternatives provided in this article, such as “The purpose of this essay is to” or “Throughout this paper, I intend to,” demonstrate more lively ways to articulate what the essay will examine.
Avoiding repetition and employing these different options will make an essay introduction stand out while still effectively framing the forthcoming discussion. With some thoughtful language choices and succinct presentation , writers can craft dynamic essay openings without overly relying on the dull, ubiquitous phrase “In this essay, I will.”
By: Author Paul Jenkins
Posted on Published: February 19, 2022 - Last updated: March 25, 2022
Categories Education , Self Improvement , Writing
One of the main problems students face when writing an essay is a lack of concentration. There is nothing worse than a lack of concentration during a school exam – it can be equally difficult to write an essay when you are already behind and feeling the pressure. Before you start academic writing, whether for school or for college, it is important to find a way to focus on the task at hand. The following tips will help any student focus in order to write a good essay.
Believe it or not, our minds are programmed by evolution to lose focus because it is a mechanism essential for survival. After processing something we have paid attention to, our brain notices things that are either dangerous or desirable.
In our hunter-gatherer days, when we saw a wild animal, our brain focused on that dangerous animal. When something tasty grew in the forest, our brain focused on that tasty plant.
In the modern world, our brains still try to do their job when we try to write a school paper. But instead of focusing on wild animals, they focus on social media sites, Facebook, and anything else that is considered desirable.
As a result, we pay a high price: It takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes or more before we can focus again. Distractions are poison for long periods of concentrated work.
Nor are all distractions external. The opposite is true. About 40 percent of all distractions are internal thought processes. We can get lost in a sea of thoughts that take up all of our attention, which can cause us to stop paying attention to what we should be doing.
This makes it all the more important to find ways to focus on writing the essay, as this helps to keep our thoughts in the right place. And to make sure we write the essays the right way!
Essays are an essential writing skill for all students – whether at the level of a college essay or in school. There are a number of things that help us stay focused.
The most important thing is not to wait until the moment before writing to decide what you actually want to say. When writing an essay, you should have a good idea of what you want to say, how you want to say it, and how you want to support your thesis.
If you follow a specific outline when writing your essay, you are much less likely to suffer from writer’s block. You will also be better able to present your arguments clearly and engage in good writing practices, that will serve you well whether you need to tackle an essay or even a research paper.
It will help you to have a clear idea of the whole process of essay (and non-fiction) writing.
The process is:
Anyone who has ever written an essay can probably recite these steps in their sleep. But it’s not enough to memorize the process.
Cal Newton, in his book How to Become a Straight-A Student , describes a phenomenon that can lead to endlessly searching for research sources, either out of fear of not having enough – or out of a desire to constantly improve one’s work.
When you do not complete the research process, you embark on a search for sources that consume too much time and energy, which is detrimental to the rest of the essay writing process.
The best way to avoid getting into endless research loops is to be clear about how much research is actually required for the various points you make in your essay.
For critical points, you may need two or more citations; for less important ones, only one source.
Take a broad research approach first: find a readable general source on the topic first, perhaps use an AI summary tool to get an overview (see the “Tools” section later in this article), and search the bibliography for interesting specific sources to consult.
You can use the Internet to your advantage, but you should avoid citing it unless absolutely necessary. For academic papers, you are usually better served by citing academic books and papers that are referenced and perhaps even peer-reviewed. Google Scholar is a tool you can use to help find these sources.
Nothing undermines your efforts to focus on the topic more than writing a bunch of stuff only to find that you do not quite address the essay question!
The first thing you should do is take the time to digest FULLY the essay question or topic. What exactly does it mean? What angle is best suited to answer the question? Do you already have initial ideas about how to bring the topic to life? Think about all of this – and jot it down in bullet points – before you start researching, outlining, and writing.
For a complex sentence, it can be helpful to break down the sections in parentheses – and then represent them visually, e.g., as a drawing, mind map, Venn diagram, doodle… The point is that you have used an active technique to take the sentence apart and see how one part relates to the other. A kind of theme analysis.
It’s also important to keep your focus on the topic while researching and writing.
It’s amazing how quickly you can lose sight of the topic if you do not make sure it’s always at the forefront of your mind while writing.
The best way to keep the prompt in front of you is to keep it in front of you! I personally use a notebook, but you can also use a PostIt on your screen, a whiteboard, or other ways to have a simple statement and maybe 3-5 bullet points that you really want to address.
There are a number of different terms associated with an academic essay, and it’s a good idea to know them in order to write the best response.
Some back and forth examinations of arguments are useful in academic papers to show that you know the different sides of an argument. However, you usually choose one side or the other and support it with evidence and arguments.
If you structure your essay clearly and have a clear line of argument, you will work better overall and be able to concentrate more easily. This is where a clear and detailed outline and perhaps the use of mind mapping (as I do) can help.
As an example, take a look at the mind map and outline I created before writing this article.
The rough ideas were brainstormed before I did more detailed research and recorded the subtopics. The subtopics, by the way, are not strictly in the order I wrote them – but my first draft follows the order of the main topics as I laid them out in the mind map.
The trick to developing a good, clear structure is to first capture the main line in an essay outline, and then start fleshing out that outline.
Make sure you can easily move blocks around to get a clearer overall line through your essay.
A clear outline will also help you get your essay to the right length: Know how many words you need for each section, so you can make sure you do not write one section too much and another too little. This way, you’ll have a balanced essay that covers the different points well.
Think of quotes and citations as blocks that you can insert into the structure of your essay – set aside a source and incorporate it when it makes sense to you. Do not be afraid to swap them out if you find a better quote.
Effective structuring will make the difference between a good essay and a great essay. It’ll help you deliver a successful essay that will win you points, and boost your confidence.
Write clearly and simply. Use an active tense. Use quality sources.
Look for surprises and really interesting points – chances are, if they surprise and stimulate you, they will do the same for others when you write about them!
Write the introductory paragraph and conclusion last!
The following advice is very useful not only for essay writing but also for learning in general.
Chunking is a very valuable concept when it comes to gathering research material, sorting it into buckets, using it, and writing with it.
Think of it as large pieces and small pieces.
A whole section of an essay can be one big chunk into which you insert a whole series of smaller chunks.
In nonfiction writing, which includes essay writing, you can think of a small section as a specific idea expressed in a few sentences at most.
Breaking your ideas down into individual paragraphs (even if you group them later) can do wonders for gaining clarity of thought flow and connections.
Working non-linearly is important: It’s a fact that we can not write down all of our ideas one by one in one sitting; at least, most of us do not.
If we have a system for putting ideas and evidence we encounter in the right place in our essay structure, we make our lives much easier.
Broadly speaking, it will help you to stick roughly to the following work structure:
1. Define the objective
2. Research
I say “roughly” because in practice there will be some overlap with other areas. But if you have a rough flow, you can better manage your overall process and energy.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to write first drafts before tweaking grammar, spelling, structure, etc. The faster you can get an overview of your essay, the more motivated and original your work is likely to be.
In journalism, there are classic questions that are asked at every stage of research and writing: Who, What, When, How, and Why.
These questions are also very useful in essay writing because if you remember to ask (and answer) the “how” and the “why” at each stage of your essay, you will bring your essay to life.
These simple questions will help you focus on your argument and the evidence you have to support it.
Sometimes it can be easy to get lost in details and not see the forest for the trees.
A good solution to this is to step back from writing. Literally, stop for a few moments or minutes and remember K.I.S.S.: Keep It Super Simple (in the original it’s Keep It Simple Stupid – but I prefer my wording!).
Ask yourself: does the basic argument make sense? What is the main point you want to make? What is the main point that is missing? What is the most important thing the essay needs now to make it work better?
If you can not find the answer to any of these questions, ask yourself, “ How can I figure this out quickly? ” – let your mind find a solution.
If THAT does not work, you can try saying to yourself, “ If I had the answer to this question, what would it be? ” Basically, this is a psychological trick to enable yourself (and your mind) to find the right connections and name them.
There are a number of things you can do to help your overall concentration, which will also help you when writing your essays.
You can use the ” Pomodoro Technique” to complete short, focused periods of work (sprints) each day that will help you get into the right frame of mind.
The basic idea is that you set a timer for 25 minutes and then work during that time without distractions. There are free and paid apps available on various mobile device stores to act as timers. During those 25 minutes, do not check email, Twitter, Facebook, or other websites.
Once the 25 minutes are up, take a 5-minute break. Repeat this process four times and then take a 15-minute break.
The reason is that it’s very hard to concentrate for more than 25 minutes – but after that, you have a nice break before starting a new 25-minute burst. You’ll find that you can get a lot more done in those 25-minute periods than you normally would. This gets you into the flow.
It also increases the total amount of work you get done over multiple sprints, making you much more productive. The short concentration phases make it easier for you to focus.
Although 25 minutes is the default setting, some people find that other time intervals work better for them; I personally tend to set mine to 45 minutes with a 5-minute break. Otherwise, it’s too short for me to be able to write sufficiently.
This technique is especially helpful for those of us who are easily distracted.
It’s not just about concentration. The Pomodoro technique has the added benefit of giving you a physical break from the screen and keyboard, allowing your muscles to rest and your body to stretch.
Posture is very important when learning and writing. Firstly for general health, and secondly for writing efficiency.
But that’s not all.
Did you know that you can literally program your mind for success by using a body language hack?
Try this: Stand up and stretch your arms above your head in a V shape. Hold them for a few seconds and breathe normally. Bonus points if you close your eyes and imagine success.
Now go back to doing what you were doing before. Do you feel better? Do you feel more positive?
This is a great technique for all kinds of situations.
As we learned above, any kind of distraction can seriously disrupt your work. It’s important to learn how to study peacefully.
Related: Where Can I Study Peacefully
Auditory distractions are especially troublesome because, while they may not be loud, they can be intrusive when you are trying to concentrate hard.
There are several obvious solutions: Close doors and windows, work in a room away from the source of the noise and ask the person making the noise to stop.
Less obvious, perhaps, is the use of noise-canceling headphones. Especially if you combine them with focused music or sound effects like forest rain or wind. I personally use YouTube Premium, which has several Focus playlists built-in. You can also try using the headphones without music, but with noise cancelation turned on.
Some people also report great success with binaural beats. If you search for “binaural beats focus,” you’ll find many options, including hour-long soundtracks.
These binaural tracks have the advantage of not only eliminating the source of the interference but also programming your brain’s waves to help you focus and write better.
Once you find a soundtrack or playlist that works for you, add it to your favorites and repeat if that helps.
Ideally, remove all visual distractions from your workspace and leave only what is actually relevant to the work in front of you. In most cases, a tidy desk means a tidy mind.
In practice, it’s not always that simple. What you can do, however, is move the unimportant things to the edge of your desk and keep the area directly in front of you clear so you do not have a connection to the keyboard and screen.
It’s worth thinking about the overall placement and ergonomics of your workspace. For me, a good amount of natural daylight falling on the desk is helpful. I make sure it comes from the side and not the front.
I also use a small blue light on the desk when I am working, which helps me think positively and focus.
If you have the space, you might want to try putting your desk in the middle of the room. I first noticed this when I visited the home of Charles Darwin, the famous English naturalist. The first thing I noticed in his study was that the desk was right in the middle of the room. The same was true of Churchill’s desk in the attic of his country residence.
The point is that regardless of your particular circumstances, you can have a considerable amount of control over your visual environment. I would advise you to try different configurations and find one that works best for you. You may also find that changing the configuration of your room from time to time helps your motivation and concentration.
I find that the arrangement of windows and applications on the screen I use for studying and writing is very important for efficiency when working and writing.
Right now, I have a 27-inch iMac right in front of me with two windows on it: On the left side of the screen is my mind map and outline, and on the right side is the writing surface where I am currently writing this article. To the right of the iMac is a laptop on which I have the mind map of this article at a glance.
Although I have experimented with 3 and even 4 screens, I personally find that two screens are sufficient for my particular needs. With more than 2 screens, I feel distracted. Of course, you should experiment and find out what works best for you.
I find that having the most important data immediately in view makes it all the better. I like to avoid switching back and forth between different applications and windows as much as possible.
I also find that having a clear visual memory system (a bit like muscle memory for the mind) helps a lot with writing. That’s why I always have the writing surface on the right side of the iMac screen, while the various research windows are always on the left.
What writers and students sometimes forget is the importance of posture and movement while working.
It is very important for motivation and health to move around during a workday, especially to protect your back.
I use a sit-stand desk for this purpose. This allows me to use different types of stands, chairs, and standing positions throughout the day to vary my posture and the angle at which my back moves throughout the day. This allows me to write for long periods of time without harming my body.
If you use the Pomodoro technique described above, you could use the 15-minute breaks for sprints to do a short exercise session. This could be a few short stretches combined with some push-ups, planks, sit-ups, or something similar.
It may sound like a terrible cliché, but the value of cold showers is incredible. I had the privilege of going to a British private school called Stonyhurst College when I was young. Stonyhurst has, I believe, the very first school swimming pool, which in my day was nicknamed The Plunge . When I was at Stonyhurst, the pool was surrounded by scary-looking showers and enormous baths with invariably cold water.
What I did not know then, but know now, is the value of cold water for overall mood, health, and learning performance. You may have heard of Wim Hof, the Iceman, who advocates cold therapy for health. If not, check out his videos on YouTube. They are incredible.
The way I practice it is not by jumping straight into the cold shower in the morning, although that’s probably the best method, but by washing with warm water for a few minutes and then turning the water to cold for 1 or 2 minutes. This always makes me feel more invigorated and better prepared for the morning’s work.
All I can say is: try it!
One technique that I think really contributes to efficiency in writing is dictation.
I personally use the app VoiceIn for this, but there’s also a free alternative from Google that I describe later in the “Tools” section of this article.
I either handwrite or type out the outline for the essays and articles I write and then I use a combination of typing and dictation when I write the article or essay.
I find that the decision whether I dictate or not is psychological. Sometimes I feel like dictating the article, sometimes I find it better to type it. Often I have found it helpful to start writing and then move to dictate when I am in the flow.
It’s a matter of trial and error, and I encourage you to keep a regular journal of what works and does not work for you personally to discover the best methods for you.
If you find that dictation is helpful, my advice is to get a good microphone on a stand that you can swivel in and out, and position the microphone very close to your mouth for much better results with the dictation software or app.
The ideal state when writing – including essay writing – is a flow state. This is the state where everything comes easily to you and you feel like you are doing your best while fully concentrating on what you are doing.
There are some things that can help you achieve this state:
Resistance is the enemy of flow. Resistance is anything that distracts you from your work and causes you to turn your attention away from what you are doing. The more you are aware of it, the more you can avoid it.
I think it’s important not to give up too soon when resistance comes in the form of procrastination or motivation. In the short term, it’s worse to give in to resistance and procrastinate, so you need to be prepared for it.
I find the easiest way to deal with resistance is to acknowledge it, then just ignore it and get on with the task.
To make learning and writing a habit, which then makes everything easier, it’s good to understand how habits can be formed.
Habits are formed through three steps:
The best way to form a habit is to choose a cue that is so repetitive that you can not help but do the routine every time you encounter the cue. The best cue is often a place, time, person, or feeling. For example, if I write in the same place at the same time in the morning and I feel a certain way, I can not help but do it, and so a habit loop is formed.
So if you want to make it a habit to write in the morning, you have to find a cue that you can not ignore. Perhaps the moment you finish breakfast.
However, make sure you have a reward at the end of the routine that you look forward to. This will make it easier for you to motivate yourself to do the routine, and encourage the formation of a new habit.
One of the best favors you can do for yourself as a writer is to learn keyboard shortcuts.
If you do not know them yet, you should figure them out and use them. You’ll be amazed at how easy it all is.
This may sound familiar, but it’s worth reiterating how important it is to eat right, get enough sleep, and drink enough water.
When you are in optimal condition, you can make better use of the time you have.
A good tip is to darken the room where you sleep as much as possible. You will then have a deeper and more restful sleep.
Top athletes and their coaches use mental management and visualization techniques for a reason. It works.
If you spend a little time visualizing the feeling of success, what it will bring you and how you will get there, the actual process will be easier for you.
Instead of racking your brain over the steps, you’ll have them pre-programmed in your head – and you’ll just do them.
An important part of mental management is to NOT focus on failures, but instead focus on and celebrate when you do something well. This has the effect of anchoring in your mind the practices that lead to success, while not anchoring those that lead to failure.
When writing nonfiction, I use a number of apps on a daily basis that helps me immensely with my work.
This is a powerful research database app (unfortunately only for Mac) that uses AI to find useful snippets of information.
Related: Is DEVONThink Worth It
This is an amazing app that allows you to review and edit text very quickly and adapt to any tone of voice you want.
Related: What Is InstaText
This is the mind mapping and thought development app I use to brainstorm and outline my non-fiction writing. In fact, all my writing.
A very useful AI summary app that gives you a useful snapshot of a PDF file or book.
A reliable dictation extension that lets me dictate directly into my writing canvas. Or you can use the free Google Docs tool.
Something of a secret among writers. It is one of the best, if not the best AI GPT -3 app.
Related: What Is Sudowrite
657 other terms for focuses on - words and phrases with similar meaning.
COMMENTS
Find 32 different ways to say FOCUS ON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Synonyms for focus on include address, consider, contemplate, centre on, center on, heed, mind, emphasise, emphasize and examine. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!
Find 83 different ways to say FOCUS, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Synonyms for FOCUS: center, hub, capital, mecca, core, heart, seat, locus, base, nucleus
acknowledgement. mental acquisitiveness. inquiring mind. more . "During this time, we trained our focus on quality and improving the knowledge of our staff through training and professional guidance.". Noun. . A (clear) purpose or reason for an endeavor. intention.
Another way to say Focus On? Synonyms for Focus On (other words and phrases for Focus On).
FOCUS ON - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus
Synonyms for FOCUS (ON): concentrate (on), fall (to), settle (down), buckle (down to), zero (in on), knuckle down (to), address, plunge (in); Antonyms of FOCUS (ON ...
621 other terms for focusing on- words and phrases with similar meaning
knuckle down to. get down to. pay attention to. address. direct attention to. zero in on. home in on. fixate on. address oneself to.
Synonyms for Focus of an essay. Synonyms. for. Focus of an essay. # focus. - 3. claim of the argument presented in a paper. n. # solution.
FOCUS ON - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus
Synonyms for FOCUSING (ON): concentrating (on), buckling (down to), falling (to), settling (down), knuckling down (to), plunging (in), zeroing (in on), pitching in ...
4. That is to say. Usage: "That is" and "that is to say" can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: "Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.". 5. To that end. Usage: Use "to that end" or "to this end" in a similar way to "in order to" or "so".
This essay will analyze common social interactions and why they exist. I Strongly Agree/Disagree, And This Essay Will Explore Why. This phrase works well to either agree or disagree with the question. Most essays ask a question that you are supposed to ponder. Starting an essay with your direct opinion is a good way to engage the reader early on.
Absolute Synonyms for Focus. Near Synonyms for Focus. Synonyms for Focus with Examples - Image. Frequently Asked Questions. 5.5k. SHARES. When exploring the English language, the term "focus" often emerges as a pivotal concept. It captures the essence of attention, concentration, and importance within a context.
500 Words Essay on Focus Introduction. Focus is a fundamental cognitive function that plays a crucial role in the achievement of our goals. It is the ability to concentrate on a particular task or idea, eliminating distractions to maximize productivity and quality. This essay will delve into the importance of focus, the challenges it faces, and ...
Synonyms of 'focus' in British English. focus. 1 (noun) in the sense of centre. Definition. ... Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs. February 13, 2020 Read more
Conveys a strong and aspirational goal for your essay, highlighting its potential impact. Example: The ambition of this work is to reimagine the future of education, promoting personalized learning experiences that ignite students' curiosity and foster lifelong adaptability. 10. Within this text, I aspire to….
Synonyms for FOCUS ON: center on, revolve around, revolve about, concentrate on, center.
Synonyms for FOCUS: focusing, center, headquarters, heart, stress, hub, focussing, seat, focal-point, direction, centering, focal-point, center, locus, bottom ...
Ideas: Formulate your own arguments and ideas about the essay topic. The main idea will go in your thesis statement, and usually will appear in the Introduction of your essay. Outline: create an outline of your main arguments to guide your writing, including citations and references. Writing: Write your essay with as much clarity as possible.
657 other terms for focuses on- words and phrases with similar meaning