Table of contents
- 1. Get into the Right Headspace
- 2. Remove All Digital Distractions
- 3. Type Your Essay to Work More Efficiently
- 4. Understand Exactly What the Question Asks
- 5. Organize All Your Materials Before You Start
- 6. Summarize Your Main Argument Early
- 7. Add Notes Directly Into Your Draft
- 8. Turn Those Notes Into Structured Paragraphs
- 9. Write the Introduction and Conclusion Last
- 10. Keep Track of References as You Write
- 11. Review Each Section as You Write
- 12. Avoid Copying and Pasting Text
- 13. Use Quotes Sparingly
- 14. Keep Sentences Short and Direct
- 15. Change Locations if You’re Stuck
- 16. Pause When You Really Need To
- 17. Skip Formatting Tricks That Waste Time
- 18. Use Google Wisely for Quick Answers
- 19. Stay Fueled and Hydrated
- 20. Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To
- Final Thoughts
When time’s running out, writing an essay in a hurry isn’t fun, but it’s doable. This guide shares top tips to help students stay focused, save time, and still turn in high-quality essays under a tight deadline. Whether you’ve got an hour or just a few minutes, proper planning makes a difference.
5 most useful tips for writing an essay in a hurry:
- remove all digital distractions;
- organize all your materials before you start;
- change locations if you’re stuck;
- stay fueled and hydrated;
- give yourself something to look forward to.
WriteMyEssay is a helpful backup when you’re stuck with a last minute paper. With support from professional writers, it’s easier to handle the writing process under pressure.
1. Get into the Right Headspace
Before anything else, get your head in the right place. Writing an essay in a short time isn’t about panic; it’s about progress. Remind yourself that it’s possible to write an essay in record time if you stay calm and focused.
Set small time blocks to complete each part of the task. Don’t aim for perfection on the first try. Your job right now is to get words on the page. You can refine them once the structure is in place.
2. Remove All Digital Distractions
You don’t need your phone to write a great essay. Every notification breaks your focus and wastes a few more seconds you can’t afford to lose. Give yourself a couple of hours without any interruptions. Put your phone on airplane mode, shut down messaging apps, and stay off social media.
Even quick checks can steal your precious time. Let friends know you’re unavailable until the task’s done. These small changes give your brain the space it needs to focus and work faster.
3. Type Your Essay to Work More Efficiently
Typing helps you move quicker, stay organized, and make edits without starting over. It’s easier to cut, rearrange, or add extra detail where needed. That flexibility makes your essay cleaner and stronger.
If you're running short on length, formatting tricks and additional examples can help make your essay longer - see our full guide on how to do that. Handwriting might feel natural, but it slows you down. Stick to your keyboard so you can stay on track and keep moving.
4. Understand Exactly What the Question Asks
Misreading the question is a common tactic for wasting time. Don’t jump in without knowing what’s actually being asked. Read the essay question slowly and underline keywords. Look for specific instructions, like ‘discuss,’ ‘compare,’ or ‘analyze.’ These verbs tell you exactly what kind of response your reader expects.
Once you’ve figured out the key points, you’ll be able to shape your thesis statement and topic sentences with more confidence. A clear idea at the start will save time during the writing process.
5. Organize All Your Materials Before You Start
Don’t start writing only to stop every five minutes to search for a quote or source. Before you begin writing your first paragraph, grab all the scholarly articles, notes, and materials you need. Organize them so you can pull supporting evidence quickly. Every moment counts when you’re working under pressure.
If your desk is a mess, you’ll waste precious time digging around. Save yourself the stress and set everything up beforehand so your focus stays on writing, not searching.
6. Summarize Your Main Argument Early
Before writing, take one minute to write your main argument in a single sentence. This isn’t your full thesis statement yet, but it should reflect the central point you want to make. Think of it as your essay’s north star. If you can’t explain your idea clearly in one line, your argument might need refining.
Doing this early helps you stay focused and avoids rambling. It’s a simple way to protect your valuable time while keeping your paper grounded.
7. Add Notes Directly Into Your Draft
To avoid scribbling on paper or flipping between tabs, type your research notes straight into your working document. Don’t worry about grammar or flow yet, just get the information down. Add bullet points under subheadings or copy key quotes you might use later.
This cuts down on time spent transferring or rewriting later. It also keeps everything in one place, which makes it easier to start writing once your structure is ready. The less jumping between tools, the better.
8. Turn Those Notes Into Structured Paragraphs
Now that your notes are in place, start turning them into full paragraphs. Begin with a clear topic sentence, then add evidence to support it. Make sure each point ties back to your main idea so everything stays connected and makes sense to the reader.
Keep the writing process simple by focusing on one paragraph at a time. Start with the clearest point first to gain momentum. If something doesn’t support your thesis, leave it out. The goal is to create body paragraphs that build your case step by step.
9. Write the Introduction and Conclusion Last
One of the smartest ways to write an essay under pressure is to skip the intro and jump straight into the main points. Write your body paragraphs first. Once you’ve made your argument clear, it’ll be much easier to write an introduction that matches it.
The same goes for the conclusion. Finish the core of your essay, then return to the beginning and end with a full understanding of what you’ve said. This keeps your structure strong and your time focused.
10. Keep Track of References as You Write
Don’t wait until the end to track down where your quotes came from. As soon as you add a source, cite it. Use your preferred citation style and paste in full references at the bottom of your document. If you try to collect all your sources at once after writing, you’ll burn through time you probably don’t have. When you’re trying to finish a paper in under two hours, keeping your references organized from the start is a huge time-saver.
11. Review Each Section as You Write
Don't wait till the end, check grammar errors and phrasing as you go. Finished with the paragraph? Take a moment to check spelling and punctuation, and assess clarity. With this light proofreading, you'll catch small issues early and save yourself time once the full draft is done.
It also keeps your writing clean and reduces the pressure of editing everything at once when you're already short on time.
12. Avoid Copying and Pasting Text
It’s tempting to pull sentences straight from sources when you’re rushed, but it hurts more than it helps. Copy-pasting risks plagiarism and weakens your own voice.
Find something useful? Rewrite it in your own words and cite the original; don't just copy-paste it. You’ll understand your topic better, your argument will be stronger, and you’ll avoid unnecessary issues with originality checks.
13. Use Quotes Sparingly
Quoting can be helpful, but too many quotes make it harder to hear your own ideas. Limit yourself to only the most powerful lines that truly support your point.
Focus on using evidence to back up your argument, not replace it. The more you explain ideas in your own words, the more credit your paper gets for critical thinking and original input.
14. Keep Sentences Short and Direct
Under time pressure, it’s easy to overwrite. But long, wordy sentences eat up space and confuse your reader. Stick to simple, clear phrasing. One main idea per sentence is usually enough.
A concise style not only helps with clarity, but it also keeps your word count focused on what actually matters - your main argument and supporting points.
15. Change Locations if You’re Stuck
If your focus starts fading, a small shift can make a big difference. Move to another room, head to a quiet spot, or even sit near a window.
A new environment helps your brain reset and can bring back your focus. Especially when writing under a short deadline, a quick scene change might be all you need to stay on track.
16. Pause When You Really Need To
If your brain’s slowing down or your focus is gone, it’s okay to take a short break. Step away for five or ten minutes, grab water, stretch, or just rest your eyes. But keep it short and intentional. Set a timer if needed so it doesn’t turn into procrastination, and you remain within your time frame.
A quick break can help you return with more clarity, especially when writing an essay under pressure and trying to make the most of every minute.
17. Skip Formatting Tricks That Waste Time
When the deadline’s close, don’t rely on spacing out your words or stretching your font size to hit the word count. These tricks don’t fool anyone and only distract from your main argument. Focus on substance. If your essay needs to be longer, add real examples or revisit your supporting evidence.
Save time by staying focused on quality, not quick fixes at the last minute that could hurt your grade.
18. Use Google Wisely for Quick Answers
When you’re writing your essay last minute, it’s normal to forget a fact or definition. A quick Google search can help, but don’t stop there. Always check the info against a credible source or scholarly articles.
These searches are useful for saving time, but they shouldn’t replace real research. If the clock is ticking, they can keep you moving without getting stuck flipping through pages.
19. Stay Fueled and Hydrated
You can’t focus if you’re hungry or dehydrated. Drink your water and grab a quick snack before you sit down to write. You don’t necessarily need a full meal, but your brain can't think clearly without fuel.
Even a granola bar or fruit can make a difference. When you’re working with a short deadline, small things like this help you keep going without burning out.
20. Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To
Once you finish your essay, take a walk, grab a tasty snack, or turn on your favorite show; do something to reward yourself. Having something to look forward to makes the process feel less painful.
Writing an essay in a hurry takes real effort. Acknowledge that. A small reward gives you closure, helps you recharge, and turns the next writing task into something a little less stressful.
Final Thoughts
Writing an essay can feel overwhelming, not to mention when time’s running out. But with a clear plan, a strong main idea, and a few smart strategies, you can stay on track and finish without the stress spiraling. These 20 tips are built to help you stay focused, skip the common mistakes, and get everything done without lowering the quality of your work.
And if you’re completely out of time or stuck staring at a blank screen, WriteMyEssay is your answer. Our academic support team is ready to help students who are thinking, 'I need someone to write my essay for me. ' We're built for moments exactly like this.
FAQ
How to Write a Good Essay Quickly?
Start by making sure you fully understand the question. Then outline your key points and build each paragraph around a clear topic sentence. Keep your focus on the thesis, eliminate distractions, and write with intention. Save editing for the end.
How to Finish an Essay in 1 Hour?
Use the first 5–10 minutes to plan, then move straight into writing your body paragraphs. Leave the introduction and conclusion for last, and avoid overthinking. Keep sentences clear and stick to your main argument.
What is the Fastest Way to Write an Essay?
Outline your structure first, then write without stopping to edit. Focus on getting your ideas down in logical order. Use bullet points to organize your thoughts, and clean it up after your draft is complete.
Sources
Harvard College Writing Center. “Strategies for Essay Writing.” Harvard College Writing Center, 2024. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/strategies-essay-writing
Cornell University Learning Strategies Center. “4 Ways to Write Essays Faster.” Cornell University Blogs, 2021. https://blogs.cornell.edu/learning/4-ways-to-write-essays-faster/
