Melissa McMullin, Psy.D.

MCAPS

Writer’s Block

No IdeasToo Many IdeasCan’t Get StartedOutline Black holeStuck in the MiddleBored/StressedLoudmouth Inner-Critic

Diagnose Your Block

Do you understand the assignment?Find your inspiration:

What do you connect in the material?What would you like to learn?

Rewrite the prompt for the assignmentGroup brainstorm

No Ideas

InstructorTextbook or other assigned readings Other students in class Professional journals or popular magazinesRelate it to your majorConsider past experiencesLearn more about your beliefs

Finding Ideas

List themReview & Consider:

How do your ideas relate to one another?What type of assignment is this?Length of the paper?

Consolidate your ideas (if warranted)What will your topic do for you?

Too Many Ideas

Write anything!Write badly Write for just 15 minutesWrite the smallest conceivable portion of your

paperReward yourself for writingMake a writing date with yourself

Can’t Get Started

Symptoms:Your mind is a jumble of thoughtsYou’ve written portions of the paper, but don’t

know where you are going with itStep away from the computer!Mind mapStrategically brainstormKeep It Simple and Small (K.I.S.S.)

Outline Black hole

Mindmapping/ClusteringSpatially relate main concept to sub-concepts

to examples/supportHierarchy

Main ideaSub-points

ExamplesFactsStatistics

ListingList ideas then organize by color coating and

other markers.

Outlining Techniques

Work backwardsRevisit your outlineWrite anything Rearrange the building blocks

Stuck in the Middle

RevitalizeAssess your self-careAssess your timelineExerciseStretch and/or jumpTalk it outBreatheEat “brain food”

Revisit your topicCheck in with your critic

Bored and/or Stressed

Entertain your critic and write down what he or she says.

Evaluate the truth of the critical statements.Challenge thought associations:

“If this paper sucks, then I am a failure.”Reframe the thought (s)Challenge your critic with hard facts.Re-assign your critic to editor.

Loud-Mouth Inner Critic

Challenge your thoughts:What is the evidence that the thought(s) is/are true?

Not true? Is there an alternative explanation?What’s the worst that could happen?Could I live through it?What’s the best that can happen?What’s the most realistic outcome?What are the consequences of adhering to the

distorted thinking?What would happen if I changed my thinking? If (friend’s name) were in this situation what would I

tell him/her?

Practicing Reframing Your Thoughts