I've been in school for a while now and I've developed this sixth sense for when an essay is gonna be easy versus when it's gonna be absolute torture. You know the feeling right? Sometimes you sit down and every sentence feels like pulling teeth. Other times the words just flow and suddenly you're at 1200 words wondering where the time went. 
Here are my five signs that your 1000 word essay is about to be a breeze:
1. You actually understand the prompt immediately
When you read the assignment and your brain goes "oh I know exactly what they want" instead of "what does this even mean please help" you're in good shape. Clear prompt = clear essay.
2. You have strong feelings about the topic
Love it or hate it doesn't matter. Strong feelings mean you have something to say. If you're neutral about the topic you're gonna struggle to hit that word count. Passion (even negative passion) fills pages.
3. Your outline has more than three main points
When I'm outlining and I suddenly have like five or six solid angles to explore I know I'm golden. That's way more material than I need for 1000 words which means I can be picky about what makes the cut. Quality over quantity babey.
4. You find yourself going down research rabbit holes
You know when you're supposed to just find one source but then you find a fascinating article and then another and suddenly you've been reading for an hour but it actually helped? That's the good stuff. When research feels like exploration instead of homework you're winning.
5. You hit 500 words without even realizing it
This is the biggest sign honestly. When you look at your word count and you're already halfway there and it didn't feel like work? That's when you know the essay gods are smiling upon you.
Anyway these are just my observations. When the universe aligns and all five signs are present I know I'm about to have a great writing session. When none of them are there... well that's when I call my friend and complain for twenty minutes before forcing myself to start. We've all been there.
What are your signs that an essay is gonna be easy?
Here are my five signs that your 1000 word essay is about to be a breeze:
1. You actually understand the prompt immediately
When you read the assignment and your brain goes "oh I know exactly what they want" instead of "what does this even mean please help" you're in good shape. Clear prompt = clear essay.
2. You have strong feelings about the topic
Love it or hate it doesn't matter. Strong feelings mean you have something to say. If you're neutral about the topic you're gonna struggle to hit that word count. Passion (even negative passion) fills pages.
3. Your outline has more than three main points
When I'm outlining and I suddenly have like five or six solid angles to explore I know I'm golden. That's way more material than I need for 1000 words which means I can be picky about what makes the cut. Quality over quantity babey.
4. You find yourself going down research rabbit holes
You know when you're supposed to just find one source but then you find a fascinating article and then another and suddenly you've been reading for an hour but it actually helped? That's the good stuff. When research feels like exploration instead of homework you're winning.
5. You hit 500 words without even realizing it
This is the biggest sign honestly. When you look at your word count and you're already halfway there and it didn't feel like work? That's when you know the essay gods are smiling upon you.
Anyway these are just my observations. When the universe aligns and all five signs are present I know I'm about to have a great writing session. When none of them are there... well that's when I call my friend and complain for twenty minutes before forcing myself to start. We've all been there.
What are your signs that an essay is gonna be easy?