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So many people think writing is too hard and they can't do it.

The idea that they have to sit down and write a paper just scares them to death, well not real death, just sweaty palms, trembling legs and a pounding chest. Believe me, I have seen some of our star basketball players do just that when they come in the Tutoring Center in desperate need of help. You know the guy. He has to get the right grade on his next paper or he's off the team.

Yet this very same struggling writer has no trouble sitting down next to his buddy and start talking about last night's football game, or describing those cool tires and with matching rims he saw in the parking lot this morning.

Writing and storytelling have many of the same rules. (Even the most scholarly report is a type of storytelling.) The most important rule to remember is: If you can carry a conversation with a person, you can do this.

I taught writing to middle and high school students. I have also taught college students and tutored in the "Writing Center." Some of my students were preparing for the dreaded "WPE," the exam they need to pass before they can get their Degree, and we got it done.

You would be surprised how many students do not know how to write the basic paper -- the old "Five Paragraph Essay," or a contrast and comparison essay, or about writing logic and grace, or even basic grammar tricks.

I decided to do a blog about the points I found most useful, so anyone can pull up this information when they really need it.

You know the one. She didn't listen to the instructor and now she is struggling in the middle of the night just hours before the paper is due and needs a helpful hint or two.

I hope this will be a good place for her to look. No promises. If she doesn't have the basic meat of her paper, she's out of luck coming to this blog.

I want to help students with "How to put this in to an acceptable structure."

I also want to help the student who just never knew about structure to begin with--and believe me, you are not alone. I also want to help the student who doesn't know what is missing in his or her education? If the student knew, he would fix it. Maybe I can help with that.

Well lets get started.