How can I finish my 4 page report in under a week?

Don’t wait till last the last minute!

A general framework for the report should be to start with an outline and go from there. Personally, if I am feeling “lazy” or “blocked” when writing, I will tackle the easier parts first (if there is such a thing in a 4 page report). In your case, you will feel very productive if you can write a page a day, then edit and revise the report so that it is concise, cohesive and free of spelling and grammatical errors.

With respect to the powerpoint presentation, you can use your outline as a guide for creating slides. My one suggestion is to not have every slide be text only. If you can incorporate images into your slides to enhance the topic or just to spice up the slide, do it. Nothing is more boring than a powerpoint slide (and presentation) that is one bulleted list after another. Good luck.

For one, get off Fluther. You’ve got a report due.

And good luck. :)

@AstroChuck What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

I’m not going to lie I’ve written up to 6 page papers in a night that were due the next day, but I realllllly wouldn’t recommend it haha. My suggestion is to get note cards and organize your thoughts before you start to write. It’ll also help you organize your sources if you have any. Good luck! You should be fine. May I ask what your paper is on?

p.s. good advice @shilolo hehe time for bed

@shilolo @AstroChuck

The mail – it was all third-class “junk” mail, not first-class letters and packages – could have filled about three-fourths of a semi trailer, authorities said.
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And they’re talking about serious jail time ? Heck, I bet the residents of the homes on his route would vote to give him the Medal of Freedom.———-:)

@shilolo- Hey, I’m nothing like that guy! I burn all the mail I don’t want to deliver.

I’d say don’t waste till the last minute but… that’s what I usually did. One time I wrote a ten pager in the hour before it was due.. I only got a lousy B… XD

Start by making an outline for the report in Word. Then break it up so that you do all of the writing in the next 3 days including the remainder of today. On Saturday, print it out and proofread it, or do any final research and writing. On Sunday, print the final version out and put it with your school stuff so you don’t forget it. Voila, you’re done!

The reason I suggest making an outline is that it’s a great way to get your point across without thinking too much into each section. Then you can jump from section to section as you think of something you want to add, or do a first pass linearly, or stop and do research for a certain portion. For me, this strategy works very well.

Edit: Changed dates to correspond to 6 days.

I once wrote a 45 page project, in its entirety, in the 24 hour period before the project was due. And this is normal for me. I work best under pressure.

So, my advice to you, is don’t be like me. Outline the paper, and break it down into logical pieces. Gather all your research first. Do one piece a day, one piece an hour, whatever makes you feel comfortable. Take breaks in between and put any dstractions to ease. But if you’re on a roll, don’t stop, just keep writing. It also helps to start out typing in single-space and not double space it until you’ve written a lot, that way you’re not obsessing over making it to the 4th page.

As far as the powerpoint goes, someone already mentioned this, but try to make your presentation interesting. I’ve found powerpoint most effective when you place on your slides pictures, tables, graphs, and the like, and minimal words. Use your slides as talking points for what you want to say, not a script. Meaning, don’t simply read off the slide.. because that’s horribly boring and uncreative.

if anyone ever needs any procrastination tips, I’m your woman.

I’m a last-minute writer, too. I always thought I was a procrastinator, but my counselor said it is all brewing up there the entire time. I’m mentally doing the framework and phrasing, then it just pours out. I like her explanation better than mine, whether it is true or not.

However! I do not recommend this method unless it comes very naturally to you. Write notes, do a draft. Wait a few hours to clear it out of your head before you read it. Maybe have a family member read it. Edit. Repeat as needed. A week is plenty of time for a 4 page paper if you take the plunge and get started. Starting is always the hardest part.

Thanks everyone. I didn’t mean or want this to happen but I had summer school and even bigger assignments before this one. I once wrote a 10 minute speech in a night once so I think I should be able to do this; got a 100 by the way. So I’m lucky I even have this short amount of time and I really like the outline idea and I have tried it before, just need to remember how I wrote it. And my report, @Allibaby808, I chose it myself, is on the book The Omnivore’s Dilemma.. I just finished reading it and I have a good grasp of it. I just need to decide what are the best and main points to write about. Did mention I have to give an oral report of this too? So I have to make it sound extra good. I know I should get off of fluther; your very right @AstroChuck, but I really need some ideas. So would an outline like this be what you are all talking about?

Subject:

Point A
detail
detail

Point B
detail
detail

Point C
detail
detail

Point D
detail
detail

Conclusion

I think making the first portion the introduction and then going to your points would be a better way to organize it.

So when I do my intro, should I go flat out and say what the book is about, then go into greater detail with the main points?

@Ailia Yes. You should say something like, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” tackles many important issues in today’s society, including A, B and C. This report will summarize the main points, address their veracity, highlight the critiques of Michael Pollan’s work, and discuss issues that were left unanswered by the book. (Or whatever you feel like)....

Thanks you so much @shilolo you really helped me a bunch. I’m going to get started on it right now. :)

If I remember correctly, Pollan’s basic mantra kind of lends itself to an easy 3 point outline.

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Obviously each of those needs further explanation and fleshing out and you could also possibly end with an assortment of websites for primarily meatless meals or perhaps a few delicious recipes.

Particularly, this could add a little spice (pun intended) to your power point presentation as many food blogs have delicious pictures.

It sounds like you really picked a great topic and book to discuss.

@Buttonstc Thanks. But I need a bit more then his mantra. I need a critique and summarization about the book. But your input is helpful and I appreciate it. I think it will help me add that “spice” to my report. Thanks again. :)