Why-o-why can I not write! I'm trying to write the introduction of a manuscript and everything I write is just plain crap. At least that's my view. I've written the methods and results section, with not too much pain, but actually formally writing the introduction is just awful.

The manuscript is already late and I can feel my sups extreme disapproval burning into me.

Anybody got any suggestions!!!

Just write it, to the best of your ability. If it's still rubbish, send it in and get feedback on it. Better to send it in and get feedback on it, and move on, than keep hoping for something closer to perfection.

My other tip was to start in the middle, but you've already done that, and are struggling with the final (or rather introductory!) bit. But it's probably got near the stage where you have to send it in as it is.

Good luck!

write out what you want to say in bullet points. What is your argument? and what key points do you want to make?

then fill in the gaps :-)

======= Date Modified 07 May 2010 11:39:50 =======
Having recently been through this I know what it feels like. I suggest (and its only a suggestion) that you write yourself a quick very informal story about what you want to say. Ignore the details, don't get bogged down with references etc.

Once you know your direction then start to flesh out the chapter details, get some headings and sub headings down. Add the necessary preamble for each section, by all means copy your "story" segments so you remeber what you want to type (but makesure you clean these up eventually).

Most of the problem I found was actually liking what I wrote, or establishing that it had worth - in reality as the researcher you're always likley to be quite negative about this, you're likely to be the number one person who knows where things can be improved but hey - you don't have unlimited budget or time so...

get as much on paper as possible - you'll feel better once you do

Hi Seapotato,

I had this problem recently. I'm starting my first chapter by writing half of it on a case study that seems, to everybody but me, to be out of place in my thesis, so although I've had a really good idea of what to say for ages when it came to it I got stage fright and drew a blank. There's a lot of pressure. Then on Wednesday I got up really early, at 6am and just wrote whatever, and it's been progressing since then. I'm working towards a zero draft of at least 7000 words (the length the finished document should be) by the end of the weekend - I also have loads of socialising and marking to do.

I reckon, for me anyhow, writing really early in the morning works because my brain hasn't had time to kick in and start over thinking things, and I can just let it all out without the umming a ahhhing. I think alcohol induced writing works for me for the same reason, but that would be a dangerous path to tread.