New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Music is unarguably one of mankind's greatest inventions. From the beginning of time up until now, music has been known to have an amazing effect on people. Think about the last time you smiled when you heard your favourite song on the radio. What about the last time you broke into a dance on the rowdy streets? From personal experiences and studies, it is evident that the beauty of music is its ability to uplift the listener's mood and spirits.
However, there has been an age-long debate with no end in sight about the effects of music on studying and writing. While some people believe that music can help students write better, others argue that listening to music while studying or writing is a recipe for disaster.
This brings us to the big question: how exactly does music affect paper writing? Whether you're an essay writer or college student, you've probably played a nice jingle while writing an important paper. But does this seemingly fun act have any effect on your writing abilities and output? Let's find this out.
Music boosts inspiration and motivation
Have you ever been stuck on a paragraph for hours because you didn't know what to write? Well, you're not alone. For many writers, teachers and students, it's quite common to find creative juices sputtering instead of flowing freely.
However, listening to music can inspire you and increase your motivation level. According to a recent study, music has the ability to engage the body's sympathetic nervous system. Subsequently, the activation of this system causes the body to become energized and ready for action.
For instance, if you're struggling to write a romantic story for your creative writing class, you could listen to a soft R&B song to energize your brain and give you the right inspiration for the task.
Music can improve the mood
As a writer, your mood can definitely affect your writing and creativity. Students and writers who are upset or sad may struggle with penning down a coherent essay. On the other hand, when you're in an upbeat mood, the words tend to flow freely.
So what happens if you feel too upset to write? Well, many experts have suggested listening to an upbeat song or two. Although music isn't a magical wand that can wave depression away in the twinkling of an eye, it can definitely help to lift the mood and help you write better.
During a famous experiment, subjects were asked to listen to 60 musical tracks while their brain activity was recorded with an MRI device. It was discovered that listening to one's favourite genre of music activates the contiguous nucleus and increases dopamine levels. This, in turn, makes you feel happier and improves your writing abilities.
It helps you focus on boring tasks
Admit it: on several occasions, you've probably been stuck with a writing task so boring that you'd rather chew wet jeans than do it. Maybe you've been asked to write a think-piece on 16th century revolutionists or something along those lines.
In situations like this, music has the ability to draw your attention away from the boring, negative aspects of a task and increase your positive feelings about it. This way, even the most torturous tasks can seem like a walk through a rainbow covered park.
Music helps you concentrate
When it comes to writing an academic paper, it's easy to find your mind drifting away or thinking of something more entertaining than the paper in front of you. So how do you force yourself to concentrate when writing?
We'll answer that for you: music. According to a recent study carried out in the Netherlands, people who listen to classical music while performing creative tasks tend to be more productive than others.
This goes to show that listening to your favourite album or genre of music can help you concentrate on the task in front of you and wave away distractions.
The Negative Impact of Music on Paper Writing
Inasmuch as music can positively affect your writing skills and creative abilities, it also has a few drawbacks. For starters, it can get in the way of writing sometimes. Have you ever tried writing or performing a creative task while someone chatters in the background? Distracting, isn't it?
Well, that's exactly how writing with music feels like to some people. However, this negative impact of music depends mainly on the writer's personality and choice of music.
According to a laboratory research on the effects of music on task performance, there is a phenomenon known as "inappropriate sound effect". This simply means that a person's productivity levels could drop when listening to certain kinds of music outside their preferences.
What Is the Best Kind of Music for Writing?
Choosing the best kind of music for paper writing mainly depends on your preferences and personal taste. However, if you're unsure, here are a few recommendations:
Instrumentals
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Many experts have recommended listening to instrumentals such as classical or jazz music while writing. These songs help you to form an image or scenery of what you want to write in your head while writing. A great example is George Frideric Handel's iconic Messiah.
Electronic music
If you're not a huge fan of classical or jazz music, you can always try out electronic music. This genre may be lyrical but it's perfect for writing because the vocals are often distorted, making it easier for you to concentrate.
White noise
Sure, this recommendation may sound strange but it definitely helps to unleash your creativity without you getting distracted. Listening to birds chirping or the sound of ocean waves can get your creative juices flowing and give you the much needed inspiration for writing a fantastic piece.
Final Thoughts
Listening to music while writing an academic paper can be beneficial for any essay writer or student. However, this doesn't work for everyone as some people may find it too distracting.
If you fall into the second category and need help with an essay, you could try contacting a professional writer to help you out.
