Writing essays can be hard in college, especially if you’re not used to writing them regularly. Whether you’re filling out an application, writing an essay for your English class, or working on a research paper for one of your upper-level classes, it can be challenging to put together an essay that conveys your message effectively while still sounding like yourself and meeting the requirements of the assignment. Luckily, by following these eight steps, you can easily write a great essay that will impress all of your professors and help you stand out among your peers; I know this because it’s how I write my essay.
1) Don’t forget about titles
It’s easy to write an essay without much structure, and a good title is an important part of making sure your readers understand what you’re trying to say. Use keywords that prospective students might use in searches for help (e.g., how to write a college essay or to write college essays tips). The titles should be simple yet enticing—something that will prompt people who need help with their essay writing to click through. Whenever www.writemyessays.org, I make sure my titles are catchy and short.
2) Get rid of all the parts that don’t matter
This can be one of your first steps in writing an essay. You want to highlight only those parts that will make a big difference in your paper. These are usually quotations or figures that you can put down in front of your readers. But never miss anything important. You should identify everything that will go into making a great essay, but don’t just write everything you have at hand and expect it to work out well. There is a golden rule here: use only what is needed!
3) Keep the most important parts in the front
Studies have shown that when writing essays, including a hook at the beginning of your paper, make it more likely that readers will pay attention and read to completion. Start with something intriguing, like a quote or an engaging first sentence—whatever works best for you! Do your best to stay organized: Most people find essay writing intimidating. Because of this, many writers get overwhelmed and forget to include all their notes in their final draft.
4) Write a detailed outline
Sometimes students get stuck on a writing assignment because they lack structure. Writing an outline forces you to think through and map out your ideas before putting them down on paper, making it easier to write that essay or business memo for work. An outline also gives you something concrete to come back to if you wander off-topic or get distracted by other things. If you’re struggling with writing essays for college, try outlining your next paper first; many students find it helpful to clarify their thoughts and organize their arguments more effectively.
5) Stay focused on your main idea
Make sure you focus on that essay’s main idea and stay true to it. This means keeping your topic narrow enough to drive home your argument. Don’t try to write about everything at once; instead, choose a single event or theme to talk about in detail and build from there. Be sure to tie it all together in a strong conclusion.
6) Add more details through effective transitions
Effective transitions are great for writing an essay that flows from one idea to another. Use effective transitions at the beginning of your sentences, particularly in your introduction, to let readers know what’s coming next in your essay. You can also use effective transitions throughout your essay to develop each point.
7) Avoid generalizations and vague statements
Using a general statement is fine if you support it with specific details. Otherwise, it’s just an opinion that carries no weight and offers little to help your reader understand why they should believe what you’re saying. For example, instead of saying I love college, try; My favorite part about college is attending football games on Friday nights. The second sentence adds information that supports why you like college so much.
8) Proofread before you publish
It may seem obvious, but proofreading is a must before publishing your college essay. You’ve likely put in a lot of work (and probably stress) writing your essay, so it’s important to make sure that it looks as good as possible when you hit publish. Pay special attention to sentence structure and grammar; even if you’ve had an English teacher in high school or college, keep in mind that they were likely pretty strict with grammar. Are there any topics that feel sketchy or vague? Make sure you back up these statements with clear examples. If there are areas where information could be better explained, make those changes—but if you’re not sure about something, play it safe and stick with what you have.