How Can I Improve My Essay Writing Skills

Writing an essay from scratch scares the ghost out of most students.

Exposed to high-tech and apps where everything is within reach, dedicating hours to a single written piece may seem far-fetched. Thus, many decide to ditch writing, hoping a STEM career doesn’t require such skills.

But this perception is entirely wrong. Writing is vital for academic success and any job you choose in the future. You may wonder why. In a nutshell, developed essay composition skills promote critical thinking and creativity and make you a better communicator.

Generally, you don’t need to be an excellent essay writer to draft a decent essay. However, you must follow specific rules, have a well-thought-out structure, and take a clear stance and direction. Impeccable grammar and versatile vocabulary will further boost your academic performance.

If you’re still reluctant, the good news is that you can learn and polish your writing skills with practice and patience. But it is a continuous process that requires you to write as frequently as possible. Consider the tips outlined below, and you might hone your inclination in no time.

Know What You Are Going to Write About Before You Start Writing

Sitting in front of your laptop and typing whatever comes to mind is not the way to go. Seasoned writers are aware that essay writing isn’t a one-off task. Most would agree that before typing a single word, you need to have a concise layout of everything you want to say in your head. What will your thesis be? How will you support your main claim and discredit the opposing views?

Admittedly, all this might seem too complex for an untrained hand. That’s why many students with a tight schedule turn to help and ask professional services to write college essay for me on a specific topic. These platforms specialize in custom content and will follow your requirements strictly.

Yet, if you decide to give essay drafting a go, start by narrowing down the possible thesis statements. The next step would involve defining two or three supporting ideas presented via relevant examples. You might also include a counterargument followed by a rebuttal that fortifies your position.

Create an Outline

Draft a concise outline with rough notes about your key points long before the writing process and use it as a reminder. Moreover, follow the usual format, i.e., a structure comprised of three segments with a different purpose.

Start by sketching out the introduction paragraph that contains background information on your topic. The intro segment must also present your thesis to the reader.

The body paragraphs will describe your main supporting points in detail. Each section should discuss a different idea supported by plenty of evidence and examples. Finally, use the conclusion to tie everything together and summarize how your arguments back up your thesis. When you are satisfied with the outline, use this guide to write your essay.

Improving Your Grammar and Style

Another way to improve your writing skills is to review fundamental grammar rules. Consider topics like verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, word order, and article use since most students struggle with these aspects. Moreover, if you doubt whether a sentence is grammatically current, run a quick online search to ensure accuracy.

Get familiar with the most common punctuation forms, too. Learn how to use commas correctly and keep your sentences short and meaningful.

If you still can’t improve essay writing skills, check whether your school features a writing lab. This way, you can find helpful resources for student success in college, particularly when it comes to academic papers and essay composition.

Finally, your style can make or break your grades. Hence, be concise and stick to short transition words that link your ideas. Moreover, avoid unnecessary wordiness that detracts the audience from your arguments. And don’t forget to steer away from passive voice constructions. Go with the active voice instead to set a direct tone that keeps the reader engaged till the end.

Get Feedback

When we say feedback, we don’t necessarily refer to comments from other people. Learn to give yourself constructive feedback, too. And though we understand that getting external advice is better, it isn’t always mandatory.

Hence, always proof and edit your work before giving it to someone else. When proofing your paper, use a checklist of common mistakes from previously submitted essays. Similarly, read your draft out loud. If you feel some points sound unnatural or struggle to read through a few sentences, take this as a sign to fix the structure.

Moreover, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on assignments that aren’t perfect. They shouldn’t be! The reason for getting feedback is to ensure you’re in the right direction. Finding errors in your work can be challenging, but a third party can easily spot them. Incorporating impartial notes and advice will help you produce an impeccable piece.

A classmate or friend can be the perfect editor of your essays, and you can do peer reviews for them, too. Alternatively, ask your course teacher to read your work and share their insight with guidelines on how to improve your papers in the future. Most professors will be thrilled to help out because they appreciate students who work hard. If everything else fails, try academic writing centers at your college or university.

Write Like It’s Your Job

Setting high objectives and being dedicated to your studies isn’t enough to become wiser with words. On the contrary, you will need to practice a lot! There are no shortcuts that can make you an excellent writer overnight. Even the most gifted writers need years to polish their writing skills.

Regular writing will not only banish the blank page fear but also help you tackle sudden writer’s blocks. On top of that, you will develop a unique style that defines you as a content creator. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll decide to pursue a writing career.

Finale

A good essay will have a seamless line of thought and well-supported arguments. It must be concise, coherent, and with a clear layout that doesn’t tire the eye. Moreover, high-quality assignments feature synonyms, a lot of descriptive adjectives, and linking words. Grammatical and punctuation errors are off-limits, too.

Once you finish the writing phase, switch to editing and proofreading. Do it on your own, or ask a classmate willing to give you a different perspective and opinion of your paper. This way, you can submit an assignment worth your professor’s time. And though essay composition may not be your strongest suit, remember that practice makes perfect.