Before you get started, read the list of do’s and don’ts shown below.
Do’s
- Do start with a good plan. Come up with an idea, theme, or focus before you start writing.
- Do create an outline. This will help keep your essay organized.
- Do use real-life or well-researched examples to support your theme.
- Do start your essay with an interest-grabbing sentence, paragraph, statement, question, quote, or anecdote.
- Do come up with a good ending that works with the rest of the essay.
- Do read your essay aloud as you write it. This will give you a more accurate assessment of how the essay flows.
- Do proofread very carefully and do it at least three times.
- Do have someone else critique your essay. Choose someone who will be brutally honest. (In other words, don’t choose someone who loves you.)
Don’ts
- Don’t start your essay with something boring like “I was born…” or “My name is…”
- Don’t write an autobiography or resume that has been disguised in prose format.
- Don’t think you can get away with using your first draft. You can’t. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
- Don’t be afraid to throw out your work and start fresh. Some ideas just weren’t meant to be.
- Don’t use your essay to explain your SAT scores, GPA, etc.
- Don’t use wishy-washy clichés, i.e. from the bottom of my heart, more than life itself, etc. Be creative and original.
- Don’t ever completely rely on your computer for spell checking. Your computer does not know the difference between it and if, fried or friend, etc.
- Don’t use a fancy font or colored paper. Your essay should be neatly typed and easy to read.
