Focus!

Writing can be a joy--except when you've got a deadline looming over your head, which tends to bring writer's block with it! Here's how to get the juices flowing just in time.

[edit] Steps

Analyze the assignment. What is it asking you to do? What is your topic? Who are you writing it for? How long does it need to be?
Establish your deadline. How much time are you given to finish the assignment? Knowing this will help you manage your time wisely.
Develop a plan of action. Carefully look over your assignment. Make a list of sections that define what you need to accomplish, questions that need to be answered, and details you need to include.
Develop a timetable. Consider your deadline and what you need to accomplish in that amount of time. Decide how much time you will spend on each section. Sections you have a good grasp on should be allowed less time than those you need to think more about. Divide your time in a way that allows you to complete the assignment on time and answer all sections.
Prepare your thesis statement. This is the statement that expresses your opinion on the topic.
List pros and cons. List all the reasons you can think of for having the opinion you expressed in your thesis. Then list all the reasons you can think of against that opinion. This will help you find any possible faults in your argument and support your thesis in your writing.
Create an outline. Put your thesis and all other sections or questions that need to be answered in an order that flows well as a whole. Fill in each section with as many details as you can that help answer the question. These do not need to be in complete sentences. If any research sources are used, cite them here.
Write the body of your assignment. Now that you have all your ideas organized in a manner that flows well and answers all the questions of the assignment, you can begin writing. You already have your ideas in order (with citations, if applicable), so all you need to do is make your notes into sentences.
Write the introduction. Sometimes the hardest part of writing is getting started. Don’t worry about your introduction until after you have written the body of your assignment. Once that is finished, it will be easier for you to pull out the main ideas and put them into an effective introduction that summarizes what you will talk about in your assignment.
Proofread. When you have finished writing, read over your assignment to make sure there are no mistakes in spelling, grammar, or details. If you left something out, misspelled something, or need to rearrange a section, this is your chance to revise.
Write your final draft. If time allows, draft another copy of your assignment, fixing any problems you found during proofreading. Make it as clear and as polished as you can.

[edit] Tips

Remember to refer back to your timetable to make sure you do not spend too much time on one section.
If there is not enough time allowed to follow all steps effectively, steps 8 and 9 may be combined, and step 11 may be omitted.
Maintain a healthy diet as it will satisfy your cravings and allow for rapid synapse action.

[edit] Warnings

This method may not be effective on assignments with a deadline of less than one hour.

[edit] Things You'll Need

Your assignment, or writing objective
Writing implement (preferably both pen and pencil; pencil for rough draft and pen for final)
Timepiece (watch, or clock)