There’s nothing quite like the feeling of handing in a perfect essay to your professor and seeing your final grade for the assignment come back with an A+. It’s even better when you get those good grades consistently throughout your college career! While these essay writing tips might not guarantee you straight A’s, they should help you improve your grades enough to ensure you are proud of what you’ve done. Here are eight essay writing tips that every college student can use to raise their grades and succeed academically!
1) Start early
Starting early as a paper writer gives you time to gather your thoughts and work through your essay before you have to turn it in. It also gives you more time to review your essay. You’ll be more likely to find typos, grammar errors, and spelling mistakes this way. If the essay is due at the beginning of a semester, then you might have time for several drafts before it’s due. If the essay is due during finals week, then you’ll need to spend more time writing.
2) Do your research
Researching your topic is the best way to gain a full understanding of it. You will want to keep track of your research in some way that makes sense for you. A common approach is to use notebooks, spreadsheets, or note cards, but there are many other options. One might even choose an app on their phone or tablet. Just be sure that whatever you choose has the flexibility and security you need.
3) Create an outline
Create an outline of your essay and fill it in with the details. Include a topic sentence, background information, three points, and a conclusion. If you’re having trouble coming up with points or ideas, read the prompt again or find an example on the internet. A good way to come up with topics is by brainstorming with your classmates.
4) Write a draft
Write a draft before typing. If you think of an idea that would make your essay better, don’t wait until after you’ve written the essay to go back and add it in. You might find that it’s much harder than expected. Remember that it’s not just about words, but about how they’re arranged on the page. Words can be powerful if they’re placed well on the page; they can also cause confusion and frustration if they’re not worded carefully enough.
5) Edit and proofread your essay
Edit and proofread your essay. If you have time, let it sit overnight and read it in the morning before you submit it. Look out for typos and grammatical errors, which can make a big difference in your grades. Take a break after every few sentences and re-read what you’ve written so far. Try reading aloud to spot sentences that sound weird or where words don’t flow together well.
6) Use proper grammar and punctuation
Make use of proper grammar and punctuation. It’s not just a coincidence that the sentence, I have a dog and I like it very much is shorter than I have a dog and I like it very much. Punctuation helps to create pauses in your writing which make the reading flow easier. You can also check with your professor if there are any special rules or requirements when writing an essay for class so you don’t forget anything important.
7) Cite your sources
Remember that referencing the source of a quote or idea is essential if you want to prove it’s true. Citing your sources will also help your reader follow along in your essay and make sure you’re not being plagiarized.
8) Follow instructions
Take your time to think about what you want to write before you start writing. – Read over your essay at least twice before sending it in or handing it in. – Rewrite your essay if you need more time or if something does not make sense. If a question is asking for opinions, then answer with opinions and examples from life. – If a question asks how to do something, then explain with step-by-step instructions and examples from life.
