WRITING TIPS

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Writing is a process, and writing well takes patience and practice. Along the way, it’s nice to have some simple tips as you develop your writing skills. Here are some below:

1. “Verbs carry the meaning of a sentence” - F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. Detail the details when explaining your ideas.
3. Cut out “very”, “there is”, “due to the fact”, “being that”.
   
4. Follow general, abstract statements with specific, concrete examples.
   
5. Persuade your reader--use relevant facts rather than lofty rhetoric.
6. Revise to say what you wanted to say.
7. Read the “Gettysburg Address”. You’ll learn a lot about writing persuasively.
8. COLLEGE ESSAYS TIPS:
   
   > Consider a commonplace topic. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make the best college essays. Reflect on the daily bus ride to school or an oft-quoted saying from a coach or grandparent. It doesn’t have to be a life-changing event to be interesting and informative.
   
   > Write as if you are talking to the reader. The purpose of answering the application questions is to help the admission committee get to know you. Pretend that somebody is sitting across the table and telling him your story.
   
   > Keep it focused. Don’t try to tell everything in your essay. Pick one narrow topic and develop it with as much descriptive detail as you can.
   
   > Read it out loud. Once you’ve composed your essay, read it aloud sentence by sentence. Does it flow well, or does it seem disjointed? Is there a common theme? Do the examples illustrate the personal qualities you want to convey?
   
   > And yes, proper grammar is a must—write it right.