Writing an essay is something that many students dread. It can be intimidating to sit down in front of a blank screen and start typing.
If you’re looking to make essay writing a breeze, there are tips and tricks to help you get great grades on your upcoming essay assignments.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading to find out some of the most common essay writing mistakes to avoid to help you ace any class.
1. Being Repetitive
One of the most common mistakes students make when writing essays is being too repetitive and restating ideas rather than coming up with new examples.
Many students will reword ideas and concepts to make their essays appear longer. While this can help you reach the requirement for the length of essays, restating ideas is fluff and weakens the strength of your paper.
2. A Weak Thesis
Another problem professors see with papers is a weak thesis statement. Your thesis is the central idea that your paper surrounds and is found within the introduction.
Often, students have thesis statements that are too broad. Instead, find a specific argument that you can expand upon and that provides direction for the rest of your paper.
3. Not Following the Prompt
Many students also fail to follow the instructions laid out in the prompt. This can lead to low scores, even if the essay is well-written. Not following the prompt is commonly seen in admission essay writing submissions.
To fully understand what your directions are, be sure to read over the essay prompt at least three times. Be sure to identify the questions that you are expected to answer, as this will help you find topics for your essays.
Similarly, different classes require different writing styles, so you should cater your format to the instructions.
4. Plagiarism
One of the worst mistakes students can make is plagiarizing the work of others. While this is often unintentional, the repercussions can be immense.
Often, students will unintentionally glean ideas or quotes from others without properly citing them. Even accidental, this is plagiarism and can result in expulsion. Always make sure to properly cite any ideas that aren’t yours.
5. Claims Without Examples
In the body parts of essays, many students often make claims without finding evidence to support those claims.
After making a claim, be sure to provide an example or two to support the idea you’re stating. This keeps your essay strong and proves that your claims are credible and well researched.
6. Poor Grammar
Often, students will hand in essays that are thought-out and well-argued, but points are deducted as a result of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Be sure to proofread your essays before submitting them to catch these mistakes and save yourself points. You can also run your paper through an AI-generated proofreader or ask a trusted friend to read it over for you.
Avoid These Essay Writing Mistakes and Improve Your Grades
Writing an essay doesn’t have to cause stress and anxiety. Stay confident in your writing ability and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance or help from your peers or professors.
Be sure to keep these tips in mind when writing your next paper to help you avoid making common essay writing mistakes and ace your next assignment.
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