Topic: Writers Block

This table features various heuristics that can help a writer overcome writers block.
Subtopics/Concepts

Definition

Tutoring Implications

Identifying a Writer with

Writers Block

An inability to write, start

writing, or have no passion to
do so.

Once writers block is

determined, you can determine
the best way to help a student.

Helping a Writer with Writers

Anxiety

These are various strategies to

help alleviate writers anxiety.

Be sympathetic and explain

that starting early on an
assignment will alleviate
stress. Have them break down
assignments into different
timely tasks.

Exteriorization

Helping other writers in ongoing conversations and

collaboration.

Have on-going conversations

to help generate ideas with a
blocked student.

Silencing the Super Ego

A Freudian concept that is

responsible for moral
superiority in the
conscious/subconscious mind.

With a positive attitude,

encourage students to suspend
perfectionist tendencies within
themselves.

Seeking Relaxation/Being
Alright with Making Mistakes

By relaxing and taking breaks

during a period of writing, a
student can de-stress and
refocus.
Students should understand
that they need a willingness to
revise and change as they
write.

Calm students down and

remind them that writers
block is a temporary period.

Unblocking the Flow of

Ideas

Systematic Questioning

A series of questions that can

generate facts and concrete
ideas from a student and
pinpoint what is detrimental to
their writing process.

Encourage students to delay

editing until ideas are on the
page, plan but employ a
flexible plan, and be willing to
revise.
1. Is an outline
necessary?
2. Can they depart from
the outline if they think
of better ideas?
3. Or are they locked into
their plan?
4. Do they feel frustrated

or discouraged when
their first draft is
imperfect?
Determining the Individual
Needs of a Student

A preliminary interview that

can determine individualized
needs for a student.

Directive Tutoring

By giving concise instructions

to a student, it can help them
finish their paper.

1. How much and what

kind of writing was
done in high school?
2. What is the students
major?
3. What kind of writing
does it require?
4. How does the student
compose?
5. Are there rough drafts
or outlines available?
6. By what rules does the
student operate?
7. How does the student
define good writing?
Remind a student that there is
no rigid set of rules to
composing and that writing is
a fluid process.