As a PR major at the University of South Carolina, I do a lot of writing. When it comes to writing for a grade, I struggle as much as the next person. Since the writer who has influenced me the most is Ernest Hemingway, here are six quotes from the man himself to get you through your papers.
1. "The first draft of anything is shit."
When all else fails, Hemingway suggests you do go out instead of staring at a blank screen in the library for hours, as long you write a little when you get home. So go ahead and go to fishbowl Wednesday and let those creative juices flow.
3. "Write the best story that you can and write it as straight as you can."
Prompts are my least favorite thing on earth. Just focus on what you need in your paper. Don't add fluff, but have plenty of facts.
4. "When I had to write it, then it would be the only thing to do and there would be no choice. Let the pressure build. In the meantime I would write a long story about whatever I knew best."
I don't know why, but I am a last minute kind of person. According to Hemingway, you can use it to your advantage. So go ahead and put it off a while, you can handle the pressure.
5. "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know. "
If you are at a loss and can't come up with anything else, do more research. It's amazing how a paper can go from 400 words to 700 words after a little digging.
6. "If something is wrong, fix it. But train yourself not to worry, worry fixes nothing."
When you are finally finished, turn your paper in with confidence. Professors take forever to grade papers, so don't think you failed just because you haven't gotten it back and when that grade comes back, remember, you can always improve by their critiques; don't sweat them.
