Writing in an academic context for academic readers, to discuss a specific topic.
Academic writing is usually non-fiction and can be in many forms: essays, reports, research papers, journal articles, proposals, reflections, etc.
To break down a concept or topic or idea into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of said concept/topic/idea.
A type of writing in which the writer breaks down a concept or topic or idea into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of said concept/topic/idea, sometimes to generate new meanings. See .
To present and defend a point of view, using reasons and evidence.
A point of view supported by reasons and evidence.
See .
Readers of a piece of writing.
When writing in an academic context, writers may consider their potential readers, e.g. instructors, students, researchers, reviewers, etc. to use appropriate language and rhetoric.
To generate ideas about a certain topic as a starting point for further research and drafting.
Written or spoken communication or debate about a certain topic.
An unfinished version of your writing.
Writers tend to go through multiple drafts before submitting or publishing the final version of their writing, as they usually seek advice and feedback from their editors, peers, supervisors, friends, or family and revise extensively as part of their writing practice.
A type of writing in which writers demonstrate their understanding, exploration, and/or informed opinion on a certain area of study.
Essays usually have one controlling topic/idea/concept.
Essays can be short (around 500 words) or long (10 - 20 pages),depending on the purpose of your essay and the requirement of your assignment.
: While most essays follow the structure, there is no standardized method to organize your essay, despite the common misunderstanding that essays can only be 5 paragraphs long. Instead, think of your essay as containing different sections, each dedicated to a particular argument or purpose and containing 1 or more paragraphs.
Comments that writers receive from their readers.
Feedback is a common practice in writing that helps writers identify the strengths and weaknesses of their writing so that they can make appropriate changes and improve.
A list or map of the main points of an essay, paper, report, article, presentation, etc.
To rewrite text by changing words and sentence structure but keeping the meaning the same.
Often used when writers want to restate their point or make a reference to another text in their writing.
To rewrite a draft in whole or in part to improve it, usually after receiving feedback.
Revising is is a common practice in writing
To rewrite a text to only include the main points.
Written or spoken words that carry meaning.
Often used in academic settings as an umbrella term to refer to all written works.
A statement that clearly defines the controlling idea/topic of an essay or paper.
Thesis statements can be more than one sentence and does not have to be at the end of the introduction.
See .
Eberly Center. (2008a, June 28). What Is the Value of Students Learning to Write in Your discipline? Carnegie Mellon University. https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/teach/instructionalstrategies/writing/value.html
Eberly Center. (2008b, June 28). Why are students coming into college poorly prepared to write? Canergie Mellon University . https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/teach/instructionalstrategies/writing/poorlyprepared.html
Horkoff, T. (2021). Post-secondary reading and writing. Writing for Success – 1st Canadian H5P Edition . BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/writingforsuccessh5p/chapter/post-secondary-reading-and-writing/
Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts
This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.
Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.
When you sit down to write your application essays, there is very little left that you can control. You should have already taken, or retaken, the SAT and ACT, your grades from your first three years of high school are set on your transcript, and your recommenders all have their impressions of you that are unlikely to change before the recommendation deadline. The only thing that left in your control is your writing for the application essay.
As with all things related to your college application, you will need to start drafting your application essay far ahead of the due date. In fact, you should move each school’s deadline up two weeks so that no unexpected events prevent you from completing and submitting your application. The reason that you need so much time to work on your essay is primarily because many schools will ask you to write about similar topics, but to do so in different ways. You will need enough time to draft essays that address each of these questions or prompts for each school to which you are applying.
Don't use boilerplate essays. That is, resist the urge to reuse the exact same essay for different schools if each of them is giving you a slightly different writing prompt. You can, of course, adapt the same essay for similar prompts. Many schools do allow you to use the Common Application essay for admission to several participating schools. For more information on the Common Application and to check which schools participate as members, click here .
Although using the Common Application does simplify the processes, make sure that you review each of the schools’ application requirements. as many of these same schools also request that you submit a second essay along with the Common Application essay. For instance, in addition to answering one of the standard Common Application questions, Amherst College asks that you write an additional essay responding to one of several quotations.
Before you can start writing your essay, you will need to begin by reading the prompts and questions carefully. Even the Common Application has six prompts that you can choose from. Don’t feel as though you must choose one immediately after reading them. You should ask yourself what sticks out the most for you after having read through them. Think about what is most salient for you.
Brainstorm by putting your thoughts on paper. You can free write (writing without stopping or censoring yourself), create word association maps (visually clustering concepts that you feel go together), or keep a journal over the course of several days so that you can collect your thoughts in one place. See the Purdue OWL's PowerPoint on “ Finding your Focus ” for more details on these strategies.
After you have generated several ideas, reflect on where you find the most intensity or excitement in what you were writing. If nothing jumps out at you, keep brainstorming or talk with others about some possible topics until something grabs you.
Once you know what want to write about, put a rough draft on paper. Don’t be afraid of stray thoughts if they lead you to something more interesting than you had set out to write. Just make sure that you eventually come to have a rough draft that is about one thing.
Look over your draft and check for the following.
It is important to note that admissions officers care as much about your structure, style, and insights as they do about your content. That is not meant to add an extra layer of anxiety to your writing process, but to highlight the fact that you don’t necessarily need to have something life-changing to write about in order to write a successful essay. As Dowhan, Dowhan and Kaufman note in Essays that Will Get You into College , “Personal does not have to mean heavy, emotional or even inspiring” (10). In fact, as the authors explain, students might over rely on the significant event that they write about to speak for itself and don’t “explain what it meant to them or give a solid example of how it changed them. In other words, they do not make it personal” (10).
Finally, your writing should be about a sustained topic. You must use vivid description with a purpose. What is it that you learned because of this experience? What message can you decipher from the series of events that you present? What led you to your conclusions?
Once you have completed your rough draft, put it away for a few days. Afterwards, read the question again and look through your essay. Ask yourself if the essay answers the prompt. Is it personal? Does it use vivid language? Is it focused on one topic? Rewrite whatever needs to be strengthened. This is a great time to have other people look through your draft and get their reaction. Make sure that you ask someone early, and that you trust this person’s judgment; they will be putting in a lot of time to help you, so don’t disregard anything that is inconvenient or that you don’t want to hear.
Again, giving yourself plenty of time to work on this essay is vital. You should have enough time to rewrite or restructure your essay based on the feedback that you have received. As you are drafting and revising, feel free to fix any mistakes that you catch in terms of spelling, grammar, and mechanics, but don’t spend too much time editing early on in the writing process. Working on lower-order concerns can give you the impression that the essay is ready to submit prematurely. Instead, use this time to strengthen the main points of your essay.
To supplement the advice offered on this page, you can find a handout on writing the admissions application essay here .
Mariel S. Tavakoli is a WES Expert Ambassador who recently graduated from the University of Oxford. Her studies focused on helping international students prepare personal statements in English.
Below, she provides essential insights about how to prepare a personal essay that will improve your chances of earning admission to a college or university in the United States.
When you are applying for an undergraduate program, graduate program, or scholarship, the written portion of the application requires you to reflect on your past experiences and connect them to your future goals. This portion might be called a personal statement, personal essay, or statement of purpose.
But no matter what it is called, and no matter what topic you are assigned, the true inspiration for your personal essay will always be the same: you.
Every admissions officer really wants to hear your unique voice, story, and vision. So, while there is no wrong way to approach an essay topic (which might also be referred to as a “prompt,” or come in the form of a question), there are ways to make the writing process more manageable—and the end result more powerful.
Here are some essential tips that will help you prepare an excellent personal essays for colleges and universities in the United States.
The most important thing you must remember to do is give yourself enough time to write.
Many U.S. high school students begin writing their essays in the spring or summer—about six months before the application deadline. If this is the first academic essay you are writing in English, or your first time writing for an audience that is based in the United States, the most important thing you can do is to start thinking, researching, and writing in advance.
The process of writing a personal essay begins long before you grab a pen and paper.
First: Start by reading! The more that you read examples of personal essays in English, the more likely it is that you will figure out how to express your unique voice clearly in this language. This will also help you discover the appropriate level of academic expression and formality. Of course, you will need to do some research to find a variety of successful sample essays to study. Do not forget to consider that when planning the total time you will need.
Next: Identify teachers, parents, and friends who are fluent in written English and/or know what is expected of personal essays in the United States. Ask if they will agree to give you feedback. Sometimes, there is a designated staff member at your target school in the U.S. who can send you specific resources or provide more direct help; it is always worth asking the admissions office if this is the case for international applicants. You should be in touch with all of these potential candidates before you start writing; do not wait until you are ready to hand them something to read! (You will follow up and ask for their feedback once you complete your first draft.)
Now: Start writing! With plenty of time to understand, plan, write, and revise, you will write the best personal essay possible. This also helps you prevent stress during the application process.
Related Reading How to Get Into Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Have you heard the following terms when reading about the personal essay?
In order to understand these terms and your audience—university admissions officers—it is important to understand the admissions process.
U.S. universities have traditionally taken a holistic approach to admissions. In other words, your admissions decision is not based on your marks or test scores alone. Rather, admissions officers attempt to get a 360-degree understanding of who you are and how you would align with the other students and the university culture as a whole. This is what is meant by a “good fit” with a university.
To understand what an admissions officer might be looking for, your first stop is the university itself. Check out its website, follow its social media pages, read testimonies from alumni, get in touch with current students, read the university’s strategic plan. As you do, make note of common phrases and shared language. Store it away for when you are reflecting and writing later on.
While a holistic admissions process is a great way to get to know applicants, it also means that admissions officers have to read hundreds of applications in a day. Your personal story must therefore “stand out” from the competition. Although it can be uncomfortable, articulating your strengths and highlighting your most important accomplishments will make a strong impression, even on the most tired admissions officer. Use direct language and specific examples to showcase the most original things about your personality, personal history, and future ambitions.
But no matter what, the best way to appeal to admissions officers is by being truthful and genuine. So next, let us dive into an entire section dedicated to “telling your story”…
Learn More: Get the E-Guide Funding Your Education in the U.S.
“Telling your story” to an unknown admissions officer is not an easy task. A personal essay requires you to be personal and professional at the same time. You also have to weave your experiences and goals together into a cohesive narrative.
The first step is to take an inventory of your life thus far. You might already have a lot of this information organized on your CV. Use this to group your experiences into categories: job titles, responsibilities, lessons learned, types of impact, special skills, hobbies and interests, and so on.
However, your personal essay should not read like a list or résumé. To avoid this, choose one or two experiences that relate to the topic of your personal essay and excite you the most. Explore how you can connect other strong points from different categories back to it. Begin thinking about how you might weave these together into one compelling narrative.
For example, pay attention to how one experience may have led to a realization, inspired a behavior, or triggered a memory. Even the smallest personal details can be a gateway or framework to the rest of your essay.
It is important for your personal essay to balance authenticity (what is important to you) with what admissions counselors might expect from a viable applicant. To start, any leadership roles or times when you went above and beyond your responsibilities are important to highlight. Then, think back to your research on the university and what language people used to describe the campus or community. Do any of your experiences fit with these qualities?
Again, do not be afraid to show off these accomplishments and impress those admissions officers!
Next Steps: Watch the Webinar Understanding the Admissions Process in the U.S.
There is not one right way to structure your personal essay. By giving yourself plenty of time to rearrange your thoughts with different words, sentences, and paragraphs, you will write an essay that represents your ability to think critically, as well as your ability to express yourself in writing. Both of these are essential skills and they are highly valued by admissions officers.
In the United States, it is important to follow basic concepts of essay organization. Make sure to group your thoughts into cohesive paragraphs, and use effective transitions between different ideas. Again, because your reader is tired and overwhelmed, it is important to make sure that your essay structure and specific word choices guide them through your statement.
Lastly, focus on your language. You should use your best academic English, and leave plenty of time at the end to refine and proofread. This is when you should contact the people that you identified in your research phase—the friends, family, and professionals who agreed to read your first draft.
Instead of asking for general feedback, ask them to share their thoughts on three specific things:
The personal essay portion of your application is a challenge. But it is also a great academic exercise. Writing your personal essay prepares you for all of the writing you will do as part of your education in the U.S.
This is also a great time for personal reflection and growth. Take this time to explore your history, motivation, and goals—and get excited about your future studies in the United States!
WES Advisor | August 13, 2024
Navigating the job market with an international degree can be challenging. Employers in the United States and Canada might not understand the value of your education. The most objective thing to do this is to obtain a credential evaluation from a reputable credential evaluation provider, like WES. This article discusses how a credential evaluation can […]
WES Advisor | August 2, 2024
In most cases, translation is not necessary for a WES credential evaluation. However, if you have been requested to provide translated documents, you might be an exception. Keep reading to learn more about document translation requirements for a WES credential evaluation. Why does WES require translated documents? Translations support required documents and facilitate the evaluation process, ensuring the accuracy […]
WES Advisor | August 1, 2024
Asare is a teacher in Ghana, but his ambitions to pursue advanced degrees and deepen his professional connections in education may soon be taking him to the United States. As a child, Asare had hoped to follow his father’s path and become a pastor and address important community issues. He recalls his father’s collaborative efforts […]
WES Advisor | July 16, 2024
Planning to order a WES credential evaluation? If you’re looking to pursue the next chapter in your life in the United States or Canada, a WES credential evaluation report will support your post-secondary school and job applications. Keep reading to get answers to frequently asked questions about WES credential evaluations: What is a WES reference number? How do I obtain one? A WES reference number is generated once you submit your application along with full […]
We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy . By using this website, you accept the new terms.
Guidance on how to plan, structure and write an essay at the postgraduate level.
Writing an essay at the postgraduate level requires careful planning and structuring to present a coherent, well-argued, and scholarly piece of work.
Below are some essential steps to help you plan and structure your essay effectively.
Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understand the assignment brief. Identify key instructional terms and concepts, and clarify any ambiguities with your instructor if necessary. Knowing exactly what is expected will guide your research and writing process.
Further information is available in the " Getting Started with your Assignment " section.
You must comprehensively research your topic area, using a variety of academic sources such as books and journal articles. The Library runs training workshops throughout the academic year on how to find relevant information sources.
Make detailed notes and keep track of your sources for citation purposes. The Library also runs training workshops on how to use RefWorks, a reference management software.
The CRAAP tool is a method used to evaluate the credibility and reliability of information sources based on five criteria:
C urrency, R elevance, A uthority, A ccuracy and P urpose
Further information on deciding what is relevant information,.
Organise your research around the key themes or arguments relevant to your essay topic.
An outline serves as the blueprint for your essay, helping you organise your thoughts and structure your argument logically.
A typical outline includes:
The PEEL approach is a structured method for writing a clear and cohesive paragraph.
By following this approach when writing your literature review, you can effectively convey your main idea, provide supporting evidence and interpret the evidence and then link to the next paragraph or back to the main point.
Self paced guide.
Aims of the guide
Use the back and next buttons at the bottom right of the screen below to navigate through the guide. Alternatively, use the contents button to jump to a specific page.
Accessibility options are available at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen
Informal Tone | Formal Tone |
---|---|
You can see that the results are pretty surprising | The results are notably unexpected |
I think this theory is very interesting | This theory offers a novel and significant contribution to the area |
It is shocking that so many studies ignore this critical aspect | It is noteworthy that numerous studies do not address this critical aspect |
This paper looks at how people deal with stress | This paper examines how individuals cope with stress |
I believe this approach is the best way to solve the problem | This approach is considered effective in addressing the problem |
In my opinion, the results show that the method works | The results indicate that the method is effective |
The author talks about how this problem can be fixed | The author discusses potential solutions to this problem |
There are some issues with the methodology | The methodology has several limitations, including sample size and data collection methods |
By making adjustments like these, you can refine the tone of your essay to be more formal, objective, and academically appropriate, thereby enhancing its professionalism and credibility.
Remember to factor in time to use Studiosity before submitting your essay.
Studiosity is a free tool that is available 24/7 and provides assignment feedback on your language, structure, spelling and grammar.
Writing a college application essay can be one of the most challenging parts of the college admissions process.
However, with the right approach and tips from our admissions consultants, you’ll have no problem crafting an essay that stands out. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, explaining everything you need to know about writing your college essay. We’ll also share some college essay tips, formats, examples, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Fill out this form to book your complimentary initial consultation.
Understand the prompt.
Before you start writing, make sure you thoroughly understand the essay prompt. You might find it helpful to break it down into smaller sections to better understand what the admissions committee is asking.
Look for keywords in the prompt that highlight the main focus, such as “describe,” “explain,” or “reflect.”
Understanding the prompt’s objective is important. Work out whether it’s asking you to share a personal story, explain your motivations, or discuss your goals. If any part of the prompt is unclear, seek clarification from teachers, parents, or peers to avoid misinterpreting it.
Consider free writing. It can help uncover potential topics by allowing you to write freely about different experiences and ideas without worrying about structure or grammar.
Creating a mind map with the prompt at the center and branches for different ideas and experiences may also be helpful. Similarly, making lists of significant life events, accomplishments, challenges, and influences can generate ideas.
Ask yourself reflection questions like “What am I most proud of?”, “What challenges have I overcome?”, and “What experiences have shaped my values and goals?” to find meaningful topics.
Spend some time brainstorming potential topics. Think about experiences, achievements, or personal stories that highlight your character and strengths.
Select a topic that is personal and unique to you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so finding a distinctive angle will make your essay stand out.
Write about something meaningful to you rather than what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
Choose a topic that demonstrates personal growth, resilience, or a significant change in perspective. Highlight your core values and beliefs through a story that reflects them.
Start with an introduction that includes a hook to grab the reader’s attention , introduces the main theme or story, and provides a brief overview of what the essay will cover.
Develop your main points with clear, concise paragraphs in the body of the essay, each focusing on a single idea and providing evidence or examples to support it.
Summarize your main points in the conclusion. Restate your thesis in a new light, and end with a strong closing statement.
Organize your thoughts by creating an outline. This helps you structure your essay logically and ensures you cover all necessary points.
The introduction sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Make sure it reflects your voice and personality. Whether your tone is serious, humorous, reflective, or passionate, it should be consistent throughout the essay.
End your introduction with a roadmap that outlines the main points you’ll cover in your essay. This helps the reader follow your narrative and understand the structure of your essay.
As mentioned above, the introduction is your first chance to make an impression. You should start with a captivating hook to grab the reader’s attention. It could be an anecdote, a thought-provoking question, a striking statement, or vivid imagery.
After the introduction comes the body of your essay. You should develop your main points with specific examples and clear, concise paragraphs.
The conclusion summarizes your main points, restates your thesis in a new way, and ends with a strong closing statement.
01 be authentic.
Your essay should reflect your true self. Admissions officers can tell when you’re not being genuine, so write about what matters to you, not what you think they want to hear. Authenticity can make your essay stand out because it showcases your voice and perspective.
Use descriptive language and specific examples to illustrate your points. Instead of stating that you’re determined, describe a situation where your determination helped you achieve a goal. This makes your essay more engaging and memorable.
Stick to the topic and avoid drifting off. Each sentence should contribute to your main theme or story. Keeping your essay focused ensures that your message is clear and concise, making a stronger impression on the reader.
While it’s important to provide enough detail to support your points, avoid being too wordy. Concise writing is more powerful and keeps the reader engaged.
Carefully review your essay, checking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. A well-polished essay shows attention to detail and respect for the admissions process. Consider asking a teacher, parent, or friend to read it over and provide feedback.
Adhere to the word limit and any formatting guidelines provided by the college.
Following the instructions shows you can pay attention to details and follow directions, both of which are important skills for college students.
Get feedback from teachers, parents, and friends, but make sure the final essay reflects your voice. Constructive criticism can help you improve your essay, but it’s important that it remains your own work.
Start early to give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and revise your essay. Rushed writing often lacks depth and clarity, so taking your time can significantly improve the quality of your essay.
01 personal statement.
The personal statement is a general essay that provides an opportunity for you to share your story, experiences, and personal qualities. It often addresses broad prompts that ask you to reflect on significant life experiences or describe your goals and motivations. Look at it as your chance to give the admissions committee a deeper understanding of who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
Supplemental essays are additional essays that many colleges require in addition to the personal statement. These essays often ask specific questions related to the college’s values, culture, or specific programs. Examples of common supplemental essay prompts include:
Scholarship essays are written as part of an application for a scholarship. These essays typically focus on your academic achievements, leadership experiences, community involvement, and financial need. Scholarship essays often ask you to explain why you deserve the scholarship and how it will help you achieve your educational and career goals.
The Common Application (Common App) essay is a personal statement required by colleges that use the Common Application platform. The Common App provides several prompts each year, allowing students to choose the one that best fits their story. The prompts are designed to be broad and open-ended, giving students the flexibility to write about a wide range of topics.
Similar to the Common App, the Coalition Application also requires a personal statement. The Coalition Application offers different essay prompts, but they serve the same purpose: to allow students to share their personal stories and reflections.
Some universities require essays that are specific to their institution. These essays can vary widely in topic and format. They might ask you to discuss how you would contribute to the university community, your interest in a particular program, or your thoughts on a current event or societal issue.
Diversity essays ask you to discuss your background, experiences, and perspectives on diversity. These essays are an opportunity to reflect on how your unique experiences have shaped your worldview and how you will contribute to a diverse and inclusive campus environment.
Career goals essays require you to outline your professional aspirations and how your chosen college and program will help you achieve them. These essays are common for applications to business schools, engineering programs, and other professional degree programs.
Some colleges may ask for creative essays that allow you to showcase your creativity and originality. These essays might include prompts that ask you to write a short story, imagine a hypothetical scenario, or describe a unique perspective.
Analytical essays require you to analyze a text, event, or issue. These essays test your critical thinking and writing skills by asking you to provide a well-reasoned analysis supported by evidence. They are more common in applications to humanities and social sciences programs.
Essays on overcoming adversity ask you to describe a significant challenge or obstacle you have faced and how you dealt with it. These essays highlight your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and personal growth.
Reading examples of successful college essays can provide inspiration and guidance. Look for essays that have a strong voice, clear structure, and compelling content.
Analyze what makes these essays effective and try to incorporate similar elements into your own writing.
Not all colleges require essays as part of their application process. Some schools, particularly those with open admissions policies, may not require an essay. However, most selective colleges do require at least one essay, and many have additional supplemental essays.
There are things you should include in your college essay, but there are also some things you should try to avoid if you want to give the best impression.
Avoid overused topics and phrases. Be original and authentic in your writing.
Steer clear of highly controversial topics unless you can address them thoughtfully and respectfully.
Focus on positive experiences and growth rather than negative events.
Use clear, straightforward language. Avoid using complex words, phrases, and ideas just to impress the reader.
Don’t repeat information already covered in other parts of your application.
In this final section of our guide on how to write a college application essay, we’ll share some quick and easy tips.
By following these tips and guidelines, you can write a compelling college application essay that showcases your unique qualities and stands out to admissions officers.
Remember, your essay is an opportunity to share your story and make a personal connection with the admissions committee. Use it wisely!
Contact a Prepory college admissions coach and start your college admissions journey.
Our college admissions experts are here to guide you from where you are to where you should be. Through our comprehensive curriculum, individualized coaching, and online workshops, you are set for success as soon as you connect with us.
During our initial consultation, we will:
Let's get started!
Land your next great job with a Prepory career coach!
Let us help you advance your career, Identify new opportunities, participate in mock interviews, build, thrive, grow, and land your dream job.
Subscribe to our blog!
Want to get admitted to your dream school or accelerate your career?
Career coaching.
(929) 244-3365 [email protected] 12555 Orange Drive, Suite 100A, Davie, FL 33330
Copyright © 2023 Prepory Coaching Group LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Book your free consultation.
Any class. any stage. anyone..
The Center for Writing Excellence is a place for students, faculty, and staff to visit for one-to-one or multi-member group projects. Through a conversational approach, we can help you at any stage of the writing process. From first-year writing assignments to senior capstone projects, presentations, proposals, podcast scripts and more, the CWE is here to help you not only troubleshoot your writing but also develop your sense of self-expression through writing.
We offer 45-minute appointments in-person and online through our scheduler WCOnline. Click below to create an account or login.
Centennial Hall 2104 1698 Park Avenue Eau Claire , WI 54701 United States
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
105 Garfield Avenue P.O. Box 4004 Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
715-836-4636
What makes a great essay stand out from an average one? It's all about finding the right mix between what you say and how you say it. Even the best ideas can fall flat if they're not written well. At the same time, good writing can't make up for weak content.
A really good essay needs to do many things at once. It should teach the reader something new and keep them interested. It should also be fun to read. On top of that, it needs to have perfect grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. If you're having trouble getting the grades you want and don't know why, this article will show you ten ways to improve your essay writing skills. We'll also touch on a tool that can make writing essays easier and more enjoyable.
To get better at writing essays, it's important to read lots of different types of writing. Try reading different kinds of books and articles to learn new words and ideas. Pay special attention to published essays and academic journals. These can show you how good writers make their points and keep their ideas flowing smoothly.
For example, if you're writing about climate change, don't just read science papers. Read opinion pieces, stories about environmental movements from the past, and even stories that talk about nature and how people affect it. This will help you improve your essays by giving you a bigger picture of the topic.
Before you start writing, take time to really understand what your essay is supposed to be about. Read the instructions carefully and gather information. Don't rush this part. Instead, take your time to build a strong base for your arguments. Look at different viewpoints to make sure your main idea is correct and well-thought-out. This step is very important if you want to improve your essay and do high-quality work.
Even the best writers start with an outline. Making a plan is really important for organizing your thoughts and making sure your essay makes sense from start to finish. As you research more, your topic might change in ways you didn't expect. A flexible outline can help you manage these new ideas and fit them into your essay in a way that makes sense.
You could try using the basic five-paragraph essay structure to start:
But don't feel like you have to stick to this exactly. As you improve your essay writing skills, you can try different structures that fit your topic and argument better.
Knowing how to correctly use grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation is important for writing a good essay. A few small mistakes might not hurt your grade too much, but lots of mistakes can make your reader think less of your work.
Tools like the Aithor essay writer can improve your essays, but learning these rules yourself will help you use these tools better and improve your essay writing skills in the long run.
The introduction sets the mood for your whole essay and is your chance to get the reader interested. A good intro should start with something that grabs attention, like an interesting fact or question that leads into your main idea.
For example, instead of starting with a boring sentence like "This essay will talk about what caused the French Revolution", you could start with something more interesting: "What if a loaf of bread costs as much as you make in a week? For many French people in 1789, this was real life, and it helped start a revolution." This way of starting can really improve your essay's impact from the beginning.
Most of the time, using active voice makes your writing easier to read and more interesting. It keeps readers engaged and makes your points clearer. Look at these two sentences:
Passive: "The experiment was conducted by the scientist."
Active: "The scientist conducted the experiment."
The active voice clearly shows who is doing the action, making your writing stronger and easier to understand. But sometimes, passive voice is okay, like in science writing or when we don't know or don't need to say who did the action. As you improve your essays, you'll learn when to use each type of voice to make your writing better.
It's important not to use the same words or ideas over and over in your essay. Try to use different words and sentence types to keep your reader interested and make your writing sound nice.
Instead of always saying "In conclusion" or "Furthermore", try using words like "Moreover", "Additionally", or "Given these facts". Using different words not only makes your essay flow better but also shows you know how to use language well, helping you improve your essay writing skills.
One of the best ways to improve your essay is by asking others what they think. Your teacher's comments are very important, but getting feedback before you turn in your final essay is also good. Classmates, tutors, or people at the writing center can give you new ideas about your work.
When you get feedback, try not to feel bad about criticism. Instead, think of it as a chance to make your writing better. Ask specific questions about things you're not sure about, like whether your argument is strong or if your explanations are clear.
When you mention information from other places, make sure you're using the right format that your teacher asked for (like APA, MLA, or Chicago). Using sources correctly not only avoids copying others' work without permission but also makes your arguments stronger by showing you've read reliable information. Paying attention to these details is a key part of how to improve your essays.
The best way to improve essays is by carefully checking and fixing them. Try to finish your first draft well before it's due so you can let it sit for a while. When you come back to it with fresh eyes, you'll often see ways to make it better that you didn't notice before.
Try reading your essay out loud during this process. This can help you find awkward phrases or parts that repeat too much that you might not notice when reading silently. Tools like the Aithor essay writer can also help you make your essay better.
Improving your essay writing skills takes time and practice. By using these tips, you'll be on your way to writing better, more convincing, and more interesting essays. Remember, the goal isn't to be perfect, but to keep getting better.
If you want more help on how to improve your essay, think about using tools like the Aithor essay writer . It can give you guidance and suggestions as you work on your essays, helping you improve your essay writing skills over time.
Can plagiarism be detected on pdf.
Plagiarism has been a challenge for a long time in writing. It's easy to find information online, which might make some people use it without saying where it came from. But plagiarism isn't just taking someone else's words. Sometimes, we might do it by accident or even use our own old work without mentioning it. When people plagiarize, they can get into serious trouble. They might lose others' trust or even face legal problems. Luckily, we now have tools to detect plagiarism. But what about PDF ...
Writing is changing a lot because of AI. But don't worry — AI won't take human writers' jobs. It's a tool that can make our work easier and help us write better. When we use AI along with our own skills, we can create good content faster and better. AI can help with many parts of writing, from coming up with ideas to fixing the final version. Let's look at the top 10 ways how to use AI for content creation and how it can make your writing better. What Is AI Content Writing? AI content writin ...
Academic assignments require much knowledge and skill. One of the most important points is rendering and interpreting material one has ever studied. A person should avoid presenting word-for-word plagiarism but express his or her thoughts and ideas as much as possible. However, every fine research is certain to be based on the previous issues, data given, or concepts suggested. And here it's high time to differentiate plagiarism and paraphrasing, to realize its peculiarities and cases of usage. ...
Creating various topical texts is an obligatory assignment during studies. For a majority of students, it seems like a real headache. It is quite difficult to write a smooth and complex work, meeting all the professors' requirements. However, thanks to modern technologies there appeared a good way of getting a decent project – using AI to write essays. We'd like to acquaint you with Aithor, an effective tool of this kind, able to perform fine and elaborated texts, and, of course, inspiration, i ...
When we write something for school, work, or just for fun, we often use ideas and facts from other places. This makes us ask: what is a citation in writing? Let's find out what this means and why it's really important when we write. What is Citation? Citation in research refers to the practice of telling your readers where you got your information, ideas, or exact words from. It's like showing them the path to the original information you used in your writing. When you cite something, you us ...
Have you ever thought about whether using your own work again could be seen as copying? It might seem strange, but self-plagiarism is a real issue in school and work writing. Let's look at what this means and learn how to avoid self-plagiarism so your work stays original and ethical. What is self-plagiarism? Self-plagiarism, also called auto-plagiarism or duplicate plagiarism, happens when a writer uses parts of their old work without saying where it came from. This isn't just about copying w ...
A correct usage of dialogues in essays may seem quite difficult at first sight. Still there are special issues, for instance, narrative or descriptive papers, where this literary technique will be a good helper in depicting anyone's character. How to add dialogues to the work? How to format them correctly? Let's discuss all relevant matters to master putting conversation episodes into academic essays. Essay Dialogue: Definition & Purpose A dialogue is a literary technique for presenting a con ...
Your professor says that it is necessary to avoid plagiarism when writing a research paper, essay, or any project based on the works of other people, so to say, any reference source. But what does plagiarism mean? What types of it exist? And how to formulate the material to get rid of potential bad consequences while rendering original texts? Today we try to answer these very questions. Plagiarism: Aspect in Brief Plagiarism is considered to be a serious breach, able to spoil your successful ...
IMAGES
COMMENTS
A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.. Short videos to support your essay writing skills. There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing ...
College essay example #1. This is a college essay that worked for Harvard University. (Suggested reading: How to Get Into Harvard Undergrad) This past summer, I had the privilege of participating in the University of Notre Dame's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program .
Step 2: Pick one of the things you wrote down, flip your paper over, and write it at the top of your paper, like this: This is your thread, or a potential thread. Step 3: Underneath what you wrote down, name 5-6 values you could connect to this. These will serve as the beads of your essay.
These resources contain advice and guides to help you structure your work: Tips for structuring an essay. A checklist of essay-writing tips. Structure in academic writing. General advice for creating clear, well-structured writing that guides the reader through your argument. You can use these templates to help develop the structure of your essay.
Essay writing process. The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay.. For example, if you've been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you'll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay, on the ...
The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. The beginning of the essay is a crucial first step in this process. In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain business. Your beginning should introduce the essay, focus it, and orient ...
Sample College Essay 2 with Feedback. This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org. College essays are an important part of your college application and give you the chance to show colleges and universities your personality. This guide will give you tips on how to write an effective college essay.
When reviewing a first essay draft, students should make sure their writing is showing, not telling, Huguet says. This means students should show their readers examples that prove they embody ...
Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts; You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template. College essay tracker template. Choose a unique topic. Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it's easier to write a ...
Step 1: Get Organized. The first step in how to write a college essay is figuring out what you actually need to do. Although many schools are now on the Common App, some very popular colleges, including Rutgers and University of California, still have their own applications and writing requirements.
Don't Repeat. If you've mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don't repeat it again in your essay. Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.
2. Define your argument. As you plan and prepare to write the essay, you must consider what your argument is going to be. This means taking an informed position or point of view on the topic presented in the question, then defining and presenting a specific argument. Consider these two argument statements:
This college essay tip is by Abigail McFee, Admissions Counselor for Tufts University and Tufts '17 graduate. 2. Write like a journalist. "Don't bury the lede!" The first few sentences must capture the reader's attention, provide a gist of the story, and give a sense of where the essay is heading.
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
Use transitions between paragraphs. In order to improve the readability of your essay, try and make clear transitions between paragraphs. This means trying to relate the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next one so the shift doesn't seem random. Integrate your research thoughtfully.
Again, we'd recommend sticking with standard fonts and sizes—Times New Roman, 12-point is a standard workhorse. You can probably go with 1.5 or double spacing. Standard margins. Basically, show them you're ready to write in college by using the formatting you'll normally use in college.
So when writing an application essay, you can write about anything as long as it describes you and your character. Like it says in the article above, "Admissions look for essays where student highlights their growth and introspection, so your essay should focus on you learning and growing as a person." So you don't have to write about the "most ...
Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay. Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention. Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader. Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear.
Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor. 1. Start Early. Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school.
DO write an ending, not a conclusion. Building on the idea of not writing a school essay, having a story arc, and breaking away from form, your essay still does need to have an ending. What it doesn't need is a conclusion. Conclusions wrap things up with a bow. You are a human, not a present.
DON'T copy and paste. With upwards of 25 or more essays to write for a balanced college list of 10-12 schools, it's tempting for students to repurpose essays across applications if the prompts are similar, especially when working down to the wire. While students can use the same main essay on the Common App for multiple schools, we always ...
Here, the writing blog The Write Practice outlines how you can make your writing more descriptive and effective. "Passive Voice" (University of North Carolina) Avoiding passive construction is a subtle yet effective way to upgrade any piece of writing. Check out this webpage from a university writing center for some tips on recognizing and ...
Writing, in the words of Dr. Richard Young of Carnegie Mellon University, is closely related to the ability to generate original thought, making it a highly effective way to encourage students to learn in an independent manner in many disciplines (Eberly Center, 2008a). ... You may be asked to write an essay to analyze the declining popularity ...
You writing should show, not tell, through vivid language. Successful essays relate an experience or analyze a pattern from the writer's life. It is not enough to make general claims about what impacted your decision to go to college, for instance; you must elaborate by including evidence that answers "how" and "why" when you make ...
The personal essay portion of your application is a challenge. But it is also a great academic exercise. Writing your personal essay prepares you for all of the writing you will do as part of your education in the U.S. This is also a great time for personal reflection and growth.
Writing an essay at the postgraduate level requires careful planning and structuring to present a coherent, well-argued, and scholarly piece of work. Below are some essential steps to help you plan and structure your essay effectively. 1. Understanding the Assignment. Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understand the assignment brief.
Before you start writing, make sure you thoroughly understand the essay prompt. You might find it helpful to break it down into smaller sections to better understand what the admissions committee is asking. Look for keywords in the prompt that highlight the main focus, such as "describe," "explain," or "reflect."
Whether you are struggling with an assignment or project that requires extensive writing, or you are a confident writer who knows the value of a second eye for revision and improvement, the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) ... Arizona, will become the new University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation president.
The CWE remains up-to-date on best practices in mentoring writers across disciplines at all stages of the writing process — from brainstorming to drafting, revising, editing, and polishing. Students are encouraged to visit at any stage of the writing process to receive one-to-one and group writing advice for classes and personal work.
Read opinion pieces, stories about environmental movements from the past, and even stories that talk about nature and how people affect it. This will help you improve your essays by giving you a bigger picture of the topic. 2. Understand Your Essay Topic. Before you start writing, take time to really understand what your essay is supposed to be ...