Jordan Peterson’s 30 Page Essay Writing Guide In 12 Minutes

Summary

Jordan Peterson's writing guide is a 10-step process designed to help individuals organize and communicate their ideas effectively. It emphasizes mastering essay structure, starting with a clear topic, reading extensively, and developing an outline. Peterson stresses the importance of refining drafts, focusing on clarity, beauty in language, and maintaining a disciplined writing habit. The guide promotes patience and iterative improvement, encouraging writers to view their work with fresh eyes and refine it repeatedly. Ultimately, Peterson’s approach empowers writers to produce coherent, meaningful essays while respecting the craft of writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing is a process for formulating, organizing, and communicating sophisticated ideas, essential for living a good life.
• 😀 Professor Peterson recommends setting up an ergonomic writing environment with high-resolution screens and a good keyboard to enhance productivity.
• 😀 Time management is crucial for writing success. Write every day and don’t wait for large chunks of free time.
• 😀 An essay exists at multiple levels of resolution (words, sentences, paragraphs, and the overall structure). Master these before attempting to break the rules.
• 😀 A successful essay should focus on a compelling topic, written in a manner that is both meaningful and engaging to the writer.
• 😀 The writing process involves gathering sources, taking detailed notes, and organizing your research effectively before choosing a topic.
• 😀 An outline is the skeleton of your essay and helps organize your ideas clearly before diving into writing the full text.
• 😀 When drafting, focus on the production of ideas rather than editing. Editing should come in a separate phase after the rough draft is complete.
• 😀 Editing involves refining individual sentences and their order within paragraphs to improve clarity and flow. Don’t mix editing with the writing process.
• 😀 The final steps include revising the outline, cutting unnecessary material, and constantly improving the essay through iterative reviews.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of writing an essay, according to Jordan Peterson?

The primary goal of writing an essay is to help the writer formulate and organize an informed, coherent, and sophisticated set of ideas about something important in society. It is also instrumental in communicating the best argument and living a good life.

Why does Jordan Peterson recommend writing in the morning?

Jordan Peterson recommends writing in the morning after breakfast because it allows for uninterrupted time and helps develop a consistent writing habit. He emphasizes that you should not wait for free time to appear, as it will never be available in large chunks.

What does Peterson mean by 'finished beats perfect'?

'Finished beats perfect' refers to the idea that completing a task, even if it's not perfect, is more important than endlessly striving for perfection and never finishing. This mindset helps writers avoid being paralyzed by perfectionism and instead focus on completing their work.

What does Peterson suggest as an essential tool for writing essays?

Peterson suggests using two high-resolution screens (no larger than 19 inches), an ergonomic keyboard, and writing in a space where you can dedicate time each day to writing, even if it’s just for 90 minutes to three hours.

How does Jordan Peterson view the role of reading in the writing process?

Peterson emphasizes that reading is crucial for generating ideas and overcoming writer's block. If you're stuck, you should read something related to your topic, and if that doesn’t help, try reading something else. He recommends using resources like Wikipedia and then following up with more specific sources.

Why is the outline considered the most challenging part of writing an essay?

The outline is considered the most challenging part because it forms the skeleton of the essay, helping to organize and structure ideas clearly. Creating a detailed outline can be difficult, especially when there is a lot to say or you’re unsure how to articulate your thoughts.

What advice does Peterson give about editing sentences within paragraphs?

Peterson advises that once you've written your draft, you should break down each paragraph into individual sentences. Then, rewrite each sentence to improve clarity and flow. Reading sentences aloud can help identify awkwardness, and you should revise until the sentences are clear and meaningful.

What is the process Peterson suggests for reordering paragraphs?

Peterson recommends reordering paragraphs similarly to how you would reorder sentences. Once paragraphs are arranged, ensure they align with the subtopics in your essay outline. This process helps ensure that the argument flows logically and coherently.

What is the significance of creating a new outline after reordering paragraphs?

Creating a new outline after reordering paragraphs allows you to refine and sharpen the structure of your essay. It helps you see your argument in a clearer light and ensures that only the essential points remain, improving the coherence and impact of the essay.

How does Jordan Peterson suggest you handle the process of repeating the writing steps?

Peterson advises repeating the steps of writing and editing multiple times to improve your essay. Waiting a few days between repetitions allows you to view your work with fresh eyes, increasing the chances of further refining and enhancing the quality of your essay.