A Guide On How You Should Not Write An Essay

There are hundreds, if not thousands of guides out there that tell you how you should write your essay. We're taking another approach. We're going to help you steer clear of some of the most common mistakes that students make when composing essay assignments.

How Not To Write A Title

Titles which are vague, wordy, and too detailed should always be avoided. A clear, concise and catchy title will get your instructor's attention. Be sure that the title relates directly to the matters under discussion in your paper. If you are off topic at the start, things will go downhill very quickly indeed.

Not Bothering To Create An Outline

Starting off with even a basic outline will save you time and stress down the road. Always remember that your piece will need an opening, body paragraphs which support your thesis, and a strong closing that brings it all together.

Don't Go For A Mind Walk

Avoid letting your mind (and your writing) drift off topic, and meander down meaningless paths of inquiry. Especially when you are putting together the body paragraphs of your essay, keep each one focused on the one piece of evidence, or an argument that is being made. In your opening, get to the point; in your closing, wrap it up and leave no room for doubt in your reader's mind that your case has been argued, successfully made, and is now closed.

Do Not Pass On The Proofread

Always be sure and leave time to go back and proofread and edit your paper. This is best accomplished after you have given yourself a break, and had some time to clear your head. Even if it is a late night, last minute rush job, finish it up and get some sleep. Set your alarm 15 minutes early so you can give it a quick once over before submitting the finished assignment.

Know Of What Thy Speak

And if you don't, at least be interested in the subject that you will be taking on! There are always times when we will have to complete assignments dealing with topics that are of no interest to us. Just as there are prerequisite courses that we must take in order to get us our degree, we must get those assignments done.

Try to find an angle that captures your attention, even if you find the subject of the paper itself disagreeable. If you are really stuck, consult with your instructor to see if she or he is willing to cut you some slack regarding the topic. You will always produce better work, when you enjoy researching and writing about whatever it is you are discussing.