DISERTATION HELP

In the movie Stranger than Fiction, the character played by Emma Thompson sits in front of her Selectric typewriter, stubbing out cigarette after cigarette in hopes of overcoming writer's block and finishing her literary masterpiece (thereby deciding the fate of the movie's protagonist and the main character in her book). While not as dramatic or fate-deciding as Emma Thompson's writer's block, the dissertation writer's predicament is similar-words, sentences, and paragraphs simply refuse to flow from the mind to the page.

Not just an inability to write but an inability to write clearly

Emma Thompson's struggles suggests that writer's block is akin to a bouncer refusing entrance of the most meager word or sentence in the club of creative expression. Indeed, the universal symbol of writer's block is the blank page, mercilessly staring back at the tortured writer, imposing in its absolute whiteness. But writer's block can take many forms: confused sentences, underdeveloped ideas and paragraphs, too much repetition, and even increased mechanical errors. In short, dissertation writer's block isn't just marked by an absence of writing, but can also be indicated by the presence of muddled writing.

The twin concerns: knowledge and organization

The causes of dissertation help writer's block are numerous. An impasse may signify that the PhD student has failed to understand the research material to a degree that would promote writing. Perhaps more than other types of writing, dissertation writing requires an explicit understanding of the subject matter, much of which can be quite detailed or methodologically complex. Dissertation writing is more about what you know than about your experience or viewpoint of the world, and a lack of fluency with the material can lead to writer's block.

Along with the problem of inadequate knowledge, poor organization is another culprit in the struggle against dissertation writer's block. A student can read dozens of articles and books, understand the ins and outs of his or her topic, and possess critical insight into the relevant issues. Knowledge, however, is not the only prerequisite. Without a roadmap, the dissertation student may find him- or herself wandering through the byzantine corridors of the topic, unable to arrive at the destination: a coherent, focused dissertation. Consequently, the following cannot be stressed enough: outlines, formal and informal, are crucial to avoiding writer's block.

Issues beyond the dissertation page

Other causes, however, may not pertain to the actual writing. Stress, work, family life, and health issues can all vie for an individual's attention and energy. If a student must juggle work with school, it may be difficult to set aside the necessary time to effectively research the material and write about the dissertation topic. If outside issues are affecting your ability to write, it may be time to examine how you can balance these issues with writing.

Dissertation overload is yet another issue that can cause writer's block. Writing is a cognitively intense process, one that requires a high level of concentration and a degree of mental stamina. This problem can be compounded by the fact that most writing projects graduate students have engaged in previously have typically been focused term or seminar papers, ranging anywhere from three to 30 pages. Then they are asked to write something that in many cases exceed 200 or even 300 pages. That's analogous to a runner who has trained a couple of years for a 5k race being asked to run a marathon. Not exactly the best training. To counter burnout in this situation, it's a good idea to balance research and writing with other activities, including taking time to connect with friends and family. Not only will you feel better, but your doing so can help you maintain a fresh perspective on both the process of writing a dissertation and the product.

Sorting it all Out
Without careful examination of the root cause of dissertation writer's block, it may be difficult to find an adequate solution. For example, the writer who is not getting enough sleep may beat herself up trying to increase her knowledge of the dissertation topic when, in fact, the fix has more to do with her sleeping schedule, arrangements, and a process of unwinding. It is a good idea, therefore, to stop for a moment and answer the questions about knowledge, organization, outside events, and one's feeling toward the project. By doing so, the dissertation student can address the possible real reasons for writer's block. The result? Instead of a blank computer screen staring back at you, the monitor will show you pages of your dissertation help.