Essay Structure

Essay Structure Use counter-arguments to your advantage â€" if you find viewpoints that go against your own argument, don't ignore them. It strengthens an argument to include an opposing viewpoint and explain why it is not as convincing as your own line of reasoning. Note what sets this subject apart from others like it. If the subject is a person, include physical characteristics and mannerisms. Describe abstractions such as personality traits only insofar as you can observe them. On the other hand, a subject's life history and world perspective may not be, unless you can infer them, for example, from the photos on his walls or the books on his bookshelf. The sharp odor of fresh paint cut through the smell of newsprint. She’ll break this prompt down into its basic building blocks and offer some insider tricks and strategies for tackling prompt 4. You are painting a picture that must be as clear and real as possible, so observe carefully and, preferably, in person. In addition to summarizing your body, one could also provide suggestions or actions that could be taken in a particular situation. The actions are an indication that you have understood the topic well and understand the actions that could be taken in the presented scenario. There are occasions when the types might get mixed up. However, the structure of the essay usually helps you pen down a self-explanatory piece of content. Ideally leave a day between finishing your essay and proofreading it. You won't be so close to your work, so you will see your errors more easily. Be ruthless at this stage â€" if the information isn't directly answering the question, cut it out! You will get many more marks for showing you can answer the question in a controlled and focused way than you will for an unordered list of everything you know about a topic. You might have had enough of your work by now, and be hoping to just hand it in! Be specific - avoid making sweeping generalisations or points that are difficult to support with specific evidence. It is better to be more measured and tie your argument to precise examples or case studies. Avoid unnecessary description â€" only include general background details and history when they add to your argument, e.g. to show a crucial cause and effect. Practice distinguishing between description and analysis . It is also useful to use a variety of words to describe or convey our point. For instance, to convey disagreement one can use ‘I disagree’, ‘I am not in the favor of’, ‘I do not agree’, ‘I believe otherwise’. This would leave an impression of a native speaker communicating without the lack of vocabulary. Writing an effective essay is an art that can be mastered only by practice and feedback. There are several points which affect the affectivity of your essay. However, it's worth taking some time to check it over. Markers often comment that more time spent on editing and proofreading could have really made a difference to the final mark. Writing an essay can be thought of as a process, and as such you may find it helpful to break down the task of essay-writing into a number of stages. Reading your essay allows your lecturer to assess the degree to which you have engaged with learning and transformed information into knowledge. It encourages you to develop a formal, disciplined approach to writing that communicates clearly and with authority. It allows you to practise and develop transferable skills that are valuable to you not only while you’re a student but also when you graduate and have to write in a professional role. Try reading your essay aloud, as this will slow you down, make you focus on each word, and show you when your sentences are too long. A simple sentence contains lesser use of conjunctions. The idle word limit for a simple sentence is words. Every sentence, except the first, should contain connecting words to form a coherence in the paragraph. To display a range of vocabulary in your essay, ideally, try to use synonyms of the words wherever possible. Freewriting is the key to an amazing college application essay - especially the first draft! Fill up you blank page with these tips for getting started on your way to personal statement success. The Common Application's fourth essay prompt asks you to put your problem-solving skills on display. But how do you transform a conundrum into a compelling story? Get the lowdown from College Essay Advisors Founder and admissions expert, Stacey Brook.