The worst offenders: "very," "really," "quite," "somewhat," "a lot," "things," "stuff," "good," "bad," "important," "interesting," "significant." Delete them and see if the sentence still works. 🗑️
I used to think smart writing meant fancy words. I had a thesaurus open in another tab at all times. Instead of "use," I wrote "utilize." Instead of "help," I wrote "facilitate." Instead of "show," I wrote "demonstrate" or "illustrate" or "exemplify." 📚
My freshman English professor wrote on...
Last semester, I spent three weeks on a five-page essay. Three weeks. For five pages. I rewrote the introduction eleven times. Eleven. I changed my thesis four times. I reorganized my paragraphs so many times that I lost track of what I was even arguing anymore. 🌀
The deadline came. I wasn't...
I have a problem. Every time I write an essay, my transitions are the same. "First, X." "Second, Y." "Third, Z." "In conclusion, everything." It's like my brain can't think of any other way to move from one paragraph to the next. 📝
I read essays where transitions feel natural — almost...
I'm so tired of writing hooks. You know — the first sentence that's supposed to "grab the reader's attention." My professor says a good hook is essential. But I've read published essays that start with things like "In this essay, I will argue..." and they're fine. Why do we force students to...