how to write a brilliant essay

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• How to Write Dazzlingly Brilliant Essays: Sharp Advice for Ambitious Students

Rachel McCombie, a graduate of St John’s College, Oxford, shares actionable tips on taking your essays from “Good” to “Outstanding.”

For ambitious students, essays are a chance to showcase academic flair, demonstrate original thinking and impress with advanced written English skills.

The best students relish the challenge of writing essays because they’re a chance to exercise academic research skills and construct interesting arguments. Essays allow you to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and intelligence in a creative and relatively unrestricted way – provided you keep within the word count! But when lots of other people are answering the same essay question as you, how do you make yours stand out from the crowd? In this article, we’re going to show you the secret of writing a truly brilliant essay.

What are essays actually for?

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to write an outstanding essay, we need to go right back to basics and think about what essays are actually designed to test. Only by understanding the purpose of an essay can you really begin to understand what it is that tutors are looking for when they read your work. No matter what the academic level of the student is, essays are designed to test many things: – Knowledge – fundamentally, essays test and help consolidate what you’ve read and learned, making them an important part of the learning process, particularly for humanities subjects. –  Comprehension – they test your ability to make sense of and clearly explain complex concepts and issues. – They test your ability to understand the question and produce a considered response to it. – They evaluate your ability to absorb and condense information from a variety of sources , which will probably mean covering a lot of material in a short space of time; this necessitates appraisal of which bits of material are relevant and which are not. – They test your ability to write a balanced and coherent argument that considers a number of points of view. – They showcase your level of written English skills. – They even put your time management to the test – essays are a part of your workload that must be planned, prioritised and delivered to a high standard, to deadline.

Characteristics of the perfect essay

Now that we know why we’re asked to write essays, what are the characteristics that define the essays that impress? The tutors marking your essays may have their own preferences and things they look for in outstanding essays, but let’s take a look at a few of the irrefutable traits of the best.

Original thinking

The hallmark of the truly brilliant essay is original thinking. That doesn’t have to mean coming up with an entirely new theory; most of, if not all, the topics you’ll be studying at GCSE , A-level or even undergraduate level have been thought about in so much depth and by so many people that virtually every possible angle will have been thought of already. But what it does mean is that the essay stands out from those of other students in that it goes beyond the obvious and takes an original approach – perhaps approaching the topic from a different angle, coming up with a different hypothesis from what you’ve been discussing in class, or introducing new evidence and intelligent insights from material not included on the reading list.

Solid, in-depth knowledge and understanding

It goes without saying that the brilliant essay should demonstrate a strong knowledge of the facts, and not just knowledge but sound comprehension of the concepts or issues being discussed and why they matter. The perfect essay demonstrates an ability to deploy relevant facts and use them to form the basis of an argument or hypothesis. It covers a wide range of material and considers every point of view, confidently making use of and quoting from a variety of sources.

Clear structure with intelligent debate

The perfect essay provides a coherent discussion of both sides of the story, developing a balanced argument throughout, and with a conclusion that weighs up the evidence you’ve covered and perhaps provides your own intelligent opinion on how the topic should be interpreted based on the evidence covered.

No superfluous information

Everything written in the perfect essay serves a purpose – to inform and persuade. There’s no rambling or going off at tangents – it sticks to the point and doesn’t waste the reader’s time. This goes back to our earlier point about sorting the relevant facts from the irrelevant material; including material that isn’t relevant shows that you’ve not quite grasped the real heart of the matter.

Exceptional English

The words in the perfect essay flow effortlessly, and the reader feels in safe hands. Sentences need never be read more than once to be understood, and each follows logically on from the next, with no random jumping about from topic to topic from one paragraph to the next. Spelling and grammar are flawless, with no careless typos. So how do you go about writing this mythical Perfect Essay? Read on to find out!

Put in extra background work

Committed students always read beyond what the reading list tells them to read. Guaranteed to impress, wide reading gives you deeper knowledge than your peers and gives you the extra knowledge and insights you need to make your essay stand out. If you’re studying English, for example, don’t just read the set text! Here are some ideas to widen your reading and give you a good range of impressive quotes to include in your essay: – Other works by the same author – how do they compare with your set text? – Works by contemporary authors – does your set text fit into a wider movement, or is it very different from what was being written at the time? – Works by the author’s predecessors – what works inspired the author of your set text? How do you see them shining through in the text you’re studying, and how have they been developed? – Literary criticism – gauge the range of opinions about your set text by reading what the literary critics have to say. Whose opinion do you most agree with, and why? – Background history – so that you can appreciate and refer to the context in which the author was writing (we’ll come back to this last point a little later). It sounds like a lot of extra work, but you don’t necessarily have to read everything in full. It’s fine to dip into these other resources providing you don’t inadvertently take points out of context.

Know what you want to say before you start writing

You’re probably sick of hearing this particular piece of advice, but it’s important to start out with a clear idea in your mind of what you want to say in your essay and how you will structure your arguments. The easiest way to do this is to write an essay plan. This needn’t be a big deal, or time-consuming; all you need to do is to open a new document on your computer, type out the ideas you want to cover and drag and drop them into a logical order. From there, you simply start typing your essay directly into the plan itself. Your essay should include an introduction, a series of paragraphs that develop an argument rather than just jumping from topic to topic, and a conclusion that weighs up the evidence.

Answer the question you’ve been set, not the question you want to answer

A common problem with students’ responses to essays is that rather than answering the question they’ve been set , they try to mould the question to what they’d prefer to write about, because that’s what they feel most comfortable with. Be very careful not to do this! You could end up writing a brilliant essay, but if didn’t actually answer the question then it’s not going to be well received by the person marking it.

Give a balanced argument…

Good essays give both sides of an argument, presenting information impartially and considering multiple points of view. One-sided arguments won’t impress, as you need to show that you’ve thought about the evidence comprehensively.

…but your opinion and interpretation matter too

Show that you’ve made your own mind up based on your weighing up of the evidence. This shows that you’re not just hiding behind what other people say about the topic, but that you’ve had the independence of mind to form your own intelligent opinion about it.

Quote liberally

Use quotations from academic works and sources to back up points you want to make. Doing so strengthens your argument by providing evidence for your statements, as well as demonstrating that you’ve read widely around your subject. However, don’t go too far and write an essay that’s essentially just a list of what other people say about the subject. Quoting too much suggests that you don’t have the confidence or knowledge to explain things in your own words, so have to hide behind those of other people. Make your own mind up about what you’re writing about – as already mentioned, it’s fine to state your own opinion if you’ve considered the arguments and presented the evidence.

Context matters

As we’ve already touched on, if you can demonstrate knowledge of the context of the subject you’re writing about, this will show that you’ve considered possible historical influences that may have shaped a work or issue. This shows that you haven’t simply taken the essay question at face value and demonstrates your ability to think beyond the obvious. An ability to look at the wider picture marks you out as an exceptional student, as many people can’t see the wood for the trees and have a very narrow focus when it comes to writing essays. If you’re an English student, for instance, an author’s work should be considered not in isolation but in the context of the historical events and thinking that helped define the period in which the author was writing. You can’t write about Blake’s poetry without some knowledge and discussion of background events such as the Industrial Revolution, and the development of the Romantic movement as a whole.

Include images and diagrams

You know what they say – a picture speaks a thousand words. What matters in an essay is effective and persuasive communication, and if a picture or diagram will help support a point you’re making, include it. As well as helping to communicate, visuals also make your essay more enjoyable to read for the person marking it – and if they enjoy reading it, the chances are you’ll get better marks! Don’t forget to ensure that you include credits for any images and diagrams you include.

Use full academic citations and a bibliography

Show you mean business by including a full set of academic citations, with a bibliography at the end, even if you haven’t been told to. The great thing about this is that it not only makes you look organised and scholarly, but it also gives you the opportunity to show off just how many extra texts you’ve studied to produce your masterpiece of an essay! Make use of the footnote feature in your word processor and include citations at the bottom of each page, with a main bibliography at the end of the essay. There are different accepted forms for citing an academic reference, but the main thing to remember is to pick one format and be consistent. Typically the citation will include the title and author of the work, the date of publication and the page number(s) of the point or quotation you’re referring to. Here’s an example: 1. Curta, F. (2007) – “Some remarks on ethnicity in medieval archaeology” in Early Medieval Europe 15 (2), pp. 159-185

Before you ask, no, a spell check isn’t good enough! How many times have you typed “form” instead of “from”? That’s just one of a huge number of errors that spell check would simply miss. Your English should be impeccable if you want to be taken seriously, and that means clear and intelligent sentence structures, no misplaced apostrophes, no typos and no grammar crimes. Include your name at the top of each page of your essay, and number the pages. Also, make sure you use a font that’s easy to read, such as Times New Roman or Arial. The person marking your essay won’t appreciate having to struggle through reading a fancy Gothic font, even if it does happen to match the Gothic literature you’re studying!

Meet the deadline

You don’t need us to tell you that, but for the sake of being comprehensive, we’re including it anyway. You could write the best essay ever, but if you deliver it late, it won’t be looked upon favourably! Don’t leave writing your essay until the last minute – start writing with plenty of time to spare, and ideally leave time to sleep on it before you submit it. Allowing time for it to sink in may result in you having a sudden brilliant revelation that you want to include. So there we have it – everything you need to know in order to write an essay to impress. If you want to get ahead, you might also want to think about attending an English summer school .

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How to Write the Perfect Essay

06 Feb, 2024 | Blog Articles , English Language Articles , Get the Edge , Humanities Articles , Writing Articles

You can keep adding to this plan, crossing bits out and linking the different bubbles when you spot connections between them. Even though you won’t have time to make a detailed plan under exam conditions, it can be helpful to draft a brief one, including a few key words, so that you don’t panic and go off topic when writing your essay.

If you don’t like the mind map format, there are plenty of others to choose from: you could make a table, a flowchart, or simply a list of bullet points.

Discover More

Thanks for signing up, step 2: have a clear structure.

Think about this while you’re planning: your essay is like an argument or a speech. It needs to have a logical structure, with all your points coming together to answer the question.

Start with the basics! It’s best to choose a few major points which will become your main paragraphs. Three main paragraphs is a good number for an exam essay, since you’ll be under time pressure. 

If you agree with the question overall, it can be helpful to organise your points in the following pattern:

• YES (agreement with the question)
• AND (another YES point)
• BUT (disagreement or complication)

If you disagree with the question overall, try:

• AND (another BUT point)

For example, you could structure the Of Mice and Men sample question, “To what extent is Curley’s wife portrayed as a victim in Of Mice and Men ?”, as follows:

• YES (descriptions of her appearance)
• AND (other people’s attitudes towards her)
• BUT (her position as the only woman on the ranch gives her power as she uses her femininity to her advantage)

If you wanted to write a longer essay, you could include additional paragraphs under the YES/AND categories, perhaps discussing the ways in which Curley’s wife reveals her vulnerability and insecurities, and shares her dreams with the other characters. Alternatively, you could also lengthen your essay by including another BUT paragraph about her cruel and manipulative streak.

Of course, this is not necessarily the only right way to answer this essay question – as long as you back up your points with evidence from the text, you can take any standpoint that makes sense.

Step 3: Back up your points with well-analysed quotations

You wouldn’t write a scientific report without including evidence to support your findings, so why should it be any different with an essay? Even though you aren’t strictly required to substantiate every single point you make with a quotation, there’s no harm in trying.

A close reading of your quotations can enrich your appreciation of the question and will be sure to impress examiners. When selecting the best quotations to use in your essay, keep an eye out for specific literary techniques. For example, you could highlight Curley’s wife’s use of a rhetorical question when she says, a”n’ what am I doin’? Standin’ here talking to a bunch of bindle stiffs.” This might look like:

The rhetorical question “an’ what am I doin’?” signifies that Curley’s wife is very insecure; she seems to be questioning her own life choices. Moreover, she does not expect anyone to respond to her question, highlighting her loneliness and isolation on the ranch.

Other literary techniques to look out for include:

• Tricolon – a group of three words or phrases placed close together for emphasis
• Tautology – using different words that mean the same thing: e.g. “frightening” and “terrifying”
• Parallelism – ABAB structure, often signifying movement from one concept to another
• Chiasmus – ABBA structure, drawing attention to a phrase
• Polysyndeton – many conjunctions in a sentence
• Asyndeton – lack of conjunctions, which can speed up the pace of a sentence
• Polyptoton – using the same word in different forms for emphasis: e.g. “done” and “doing”
• Alliteration – repetition of the same sound, including assonance (similar vowel sounds), plosive alliteration (“b”, “d” and “p” sounds) and sibilance (“s” sounds)
• Anaphora – repetition of words, often used to emphasise a particular point

Don’t worry if you can’t locate all of these literary devices in the work you’re analysing. You can also discuss more obvious techniques, like metaphor, simile and onomatopoeia. It’s not a problem if you can’t remember all the long names; it’s far more important to be able to confidently explain the effects of each technique and highlight its relevance to the question.

Step 4: Be creative and original throughout

Anyone can write an essay using the tips above, but the thing that really makes it “perfect” is your own unique take on the topic. If you’ve noticed something intriguing or unusual in your reading, point it out – if you find it interesting, chances are the examiner will too!

Creative writing and essay writing are more closely linked than you might imagine. Keep the idea that you’re writing a speech or argument in mind, and you’re guaranteed to grab your reader’s attention.

It’s important to set out your line of argument in your introduction, introducing your main points and the general direction your essay will take, but don’t forget to keep something back for the conclusion, too. Yes, you need to summarise your main points, but if you’re just repeating the things you said in your introduction, the body of the essay is rendered pointless.

Think of your conclusion as the climax of your speech, the bit everything else has been leading up to, rather than the boring plenary at the end of the interesting stuff.

To return to Of Mice and Men once more, here’s an example of the ideal difference between an introduction and a conclusion:

Introduction

In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men , Curley’s wife is portrayed as an ambiguous character. She could be viewed either as a cruel, seductive temptress or a lonely woman who is a victim of her society’s attitudes. Though she does seem to wield a form of sexual power, it is clear that Curley’s wife is largely a victim. This interpretation is supported by Steinbeck’s description of her appearance, other people’s attitudes, her dreams, and her evident loneliness and insecurity.

Overall, it is clear that Curley’s wife is a victim and is portrayed as such throughout the novel in the descriptions of her appearance, her dreams, other people’s judgemental attitudes, and her loneliness and insecurities. However, a character who was a victim and nothing else would be one-dimensional and Curley’s wife is not. Although she suffers in many ways, she is shown to assert herself through the manipulation of her femininity – a small rebellion against the victimisation she experiences.

Both refer back consistently to the question and summarise the essay’s main points. However, the conclusion adds something new which has been established in the main body of the essay and complicates the simple summary which is found in the introduction.

Hannah is an undergraduate English student at Somerville College, University of Oxford, and has a particular interest in postcolonial literature and the Gothic. She thinks literature is a crucial way of developing empathy and learning about the wider world. When she isn’t writing about 17th-century court masques, she enjoys acting, travelling and creative writing. 

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Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

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Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

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Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

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How to Write the Perfect Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide for Students

• June 2, 2022

• What is an essay? 

What makes a good essay?

Typical essay structure, 7 steps to writing a good essay, a step-by-step guide to writing a good essay.

Whether you are gearing up for your GCSE coursework submissions or looking to brush up on your A-level writing skills, we have the perfect essay-writing guide for you. 💯

Staring at a blank page before writing an essay can feel a little daunting . Where do you start? What should your introduction say? And how should you structure your arguments? They are all fair questions and we have the answers! Take the stress out of essay writing with this step-by-step guide – you’ll be typing away in no time. 👩‍💻

What is an essay?

Generally speaking, an essay designates a literary work in which the author defends a point of view or a personal conviction, using logical arguments and literary devices in order to inform and convince the reader.

So – although essays can be broadly split into four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive – an essay can simply be described as a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. 🤔

The purpose of an essay is to present a coherent argument in response to a stimulus or question and to persuade the reader that your position is credible, believable and reasonable. 👌

So, a ‘good’ essay relies on a confident writing style – it’s clear, well-substantiated, focussed, explanatory and descriptive . The structure follows a logical progression and above all, the body of the essay clearly correlates to the tile – answering the question where one has been posed. 

But, how do you go about making sure that you tick all these boxes and keep within a specified word count? Read on for the answer as well as an example essay structure to follow and a handy step-by-step guide to writing the perfect essay – hooray. 🙌

Sometimes, it is helpful to think about your essay like it is a well-balanced argument or a speech – it needs to have a logical structure, with all your points coming together to answer the question in a coherent manner. ⚖️

Of course, essays can vary significantly in length but besides that, they all follow a fairly strict pattern or structure made up of three sections. Lean into this predictability because it will keep you on track and help you make your point clearly. Let’s take a look at the typical essay structure:  

#1 Introduction

Start your introduction with the central claim of your essay. Let the reader know exactly what you intend to say with this essay. Communicate what you’re going to argue, and in what order. The final part of your introduction should also say what conclusions you’re going to draw – it sounds counter-intuitive but it’s not – more on that below. 1️⃣

Make your point, evidence it and explain it. This part of the essay – generally made up of three or more paragraphs depending on the length of your essay – is where you present your argument. The first sentence of each paragraph – much like an introduction to an essay – should summarise what your paragraph intends to explain in more detail. 2️⃣

#3 Conclusion

This is where you affirm your argument – remind the reader what you just proved in your essay and how you did it. This section will sound quite similar to your introduction but – having written the essay – you’ll be summarising rather than setting out your stall. 3️⃣

No essay is the same but your approach to writing them can be. As well as some best practice tips, we have gathered our favourite advice from expert essay-writers and compiled the following 7-step guide to writing a good essay every time. 👍

#1 Make sure you understand the question

#2 complete background reading.

#3 Make a detailed plan 

#4 Write your opening sentences 

#5 flesh out your essay in a rough draft, #6 evidence your opinion, #7 final proofread and edit.

Now that you have familiarised yourself with the 7 steps standing between you and the perfect essay, let’s take a closer look at each of those stages so that you can get on with crafting your written arguments with confidence . 

This is the most crucial stage in essay writing – r ead the essay prompt carefully and understand the question. Highlight the keywords – like ‘compare,’ ‘contrast’ ‘discuss,’ ‘explain’ or ‘evaluate’ – and let it sink in before your mind starts racing . There is nothing worse than writing 500 words before realising you have entirely missed the brief . 🧐

Unless you are writing under exam conditions , you will most likely have been working towards this essay for some time, by doing thorough background reading. Re-read relevant chapters and sections, highlight pertinent material and maybe even stray outside the designated reading list, this shows genuine interest and extended knowledge. 📚

#3 Make a detailed plan

Following the handy structure we shared with you above, now is the time to create the ‘skeleton structure’ or essay plan. Working from your essay title, plot out what you want your paragraphs to cover and how that information is going to flow. You don’t need to start writing any full sentences yet but it might be useful to think about the various quotes you plan to use to substantiate each section. 📝

Having mapped out the overall trajectory of your essay, you can start to drill down into the detail. First, write the opening sentence for each of the paragraphs in the body section of your essay. Remember – each paragraph is like a mini-essay – the opening sentence should summarise what the paragraph will then go on to explain in more detail. 🖊️

Next, it's time to write the bulk of your words and flesh out your arguments. Follow the ‘point, evidence, explain’ method. The opening sentences – already written – should introduce your ‘points’, so now you need to ‘evidence’ them with corroborating research and ‘explain’ how the evidence you’ve presented proves the point you’re trying to make. ✍️

With a rough draft in front of you, you can take a moment to read what you have written so far. Are there any sections that require further substantiation? Have you managed to include the most relevant material you originally highlighted in your background reading? Now is the time to make sure you have evidenced all your opinions and claims with the strongest quotes, citations and material. 📗

This is your final chance to re-read your essay and go over it with a fine-toothed comb before pressing ‘submit’. We highly recommend leaving a day or two between finishing your essay and the final proofread if possible – you’ll be amazed at the difference this makes, allowing you to return with a fresh pair of eyes and a more discerning judgment. 🤓

If you are looking for advice and support with your own essay-writing adventures, why not t ry a free trial lesson with GoStudent? Our tutors are experts at boosting academic success and having fun along the way. Get in touch and see how it can work for you today. 🎒

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From Boring to Brilliant: How to Write Original and Unique College Essays

Table of contents

How often do you find yourself stuck in a creative rut trying to come up with interesting and unique college essays? Your essays might be a dull read, lack inspiration, or fail to make a memorable impact.

There could be several reasons behind this, such as struggling with writer's block, feeling rushed to meet deadlines, or simply not being confident in your writing abilities.

Whatever the reason, college professors go through thousands of essays, and the last thing they want is to read the same old thing over and over again.

What does originality mean in an essay?

Originality means coming up with a fresh perspective on a well-known topic. It’s about presenting your ideas in a unique way that captures the reader's attention. It’s not about reinventing the wheel. Instead, it's about finding a new angle to approach a topic that has already been discussed.

Why is originality important?

Originality is important because it sets you apart from other students and showcases your creativity. College professors read several essays, and having one that stands out and sticks in their minds can make a big difference. Additionally, originality can demonstrate your ability to think outside the box, which is valuable in any field.

Now that it has been established why originality is important, the question is: How can you infuse originality in your college essays? In this blog post, we'll explore how to write original and unique college essays that will leave a lasting impression on your readers.

1. Brainstorm on how to approach it differently

A common mistake that many students make is fixating on what they believe is the standard approach. This results in generic essays that fail to stand out.

To make your essay unique, brainstorm ideas on how to approach it from a different perspective. Think creatively, draw from your personal interests, and share your distinct experiences to make your essay stand out.

For example, instead of writing about a common topic like climate change, you could focus on how climate change affects something important to you, like the coral reefs in your hometown.

By exploring your own interests and using your unique experiences, you can bring a genuine sense of passion and authenticity to your essay. This will make it different from what other students are writing and will grab the attention of your readers.

2. Deviate from the standard accepted opinions

College professors value students who can think critically and express their own opinions. Therefore, when writing essays, don’t be afraid to deviate from the standard opinions and take a different stance on a topic.

One way to make your essay stand out is by challenging the conventional beliefs that most people share. For instance, let's say the majority of people believe that technology has negatively impacted social interactions.

Instead of following the crowd, you could choose to argue that technology has actually enhanced communication and fostered new forms of connection in our modern society. By challenging conventional beliefs and presenting a fresh perspective, your essay would undoubtedly stand out from the crowd and captivate the attention of your readers.

Always ask yourself: Can I offer a fresh perspective? Can I approach the same topic from a unique angle?

3. Generate new, creative ideas

Originality is key when writing college essays. Try to generate new ideas that have not been written about before.

To produce original ideas, you can get inspiration from literature, historical events, or current events. Read widely and research extensively to find new, innovative ideas on the topic.

For instance, let's say you're asked to write an essay on the effects of social media on society. Instead of rehashing the commonly discussed points, you could explore how social media has influenced political movements throughout history by examining cases such as the Arab Spring or the Black Lives Matter movement.

By delving into these real-life examples and drawing connections to the broader impact of social media, you can provide a unique and thought-provoking analysis that sets your essay apart.

Having trouble coming up with creative angles or ideas? This is where our expert essay writers can help . In addition to writing, citing, and proofreading essays, they are also involved in the research and brainstorming process, helping you take your essays from boring to brilliant.

4. Use metaphors and analogies to make it vivid

Figurative languages like metaphors and analogies are powerful tools that can make your essay stand out from the crowd.

They breathe life into your essay and make it engaging and memorable for the reader. You can always use them to make your essays interesting and capture the attention of readers.

For instance, instead of simply stating that you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine, you can make it memorable by using a metaphor to describe your passion: " My desire to become a doctor is like a flame that never dies out, constantly fueled by the joy of healing and helping others. "

However, be sure to use metaphors and analogies sparingly so they don't overshadow the main message of your essay.

5. Incorporate personal experiences

Personal experiences are a great way to illustrate your points and make your essay more relatable. They add depth and credibility to your writing and are an excellent tool for conveying your message.

To make your essays unique, use personal anecdotes to show how you felt and what you learned from the experience. When you share your feelings, challenges, and eventual success, it not only makes your essay more interesting but also offers real proof of the ideas you're supporting.

For example, let's say you're writing an essay about the importance of perseverance. Instead of relying solely on general statements, you can share a personal anecdote about a time when you faced a significant challenge and overcame it through sheer determination.

Remember: Your personal experiences are special to you, and when you present them in a compelling way, they can create a bond with your readers and make your essay stand out from the rest. This is another reason why it’s a bad idea to use AI for writing essays.

6. Get creative with storytelling

Storytelling is the essence of creative and original writing.

Your essay should highlight your experiences, and what better way to showcase that than through storytelling?

Make it stand out by telling a personal story that shows your unique perspective. You can also use vivid imagery, anecdotes, and descriptive language that engages the reader more.

Personal stories could include how you overcame a difficult obstacle, a significant moment in your life that shaped you, or a turning point that led you to where you are now. Your story should reflect who you are and what you value in life.

How do you fix dry writing?

One way to fix dry writing is to start by conducting thorough research on the topic and gathering relevant and interesting facts. Once you’ve gathered your information, you can use creative writing techniques, like metaphors, similes, or other literary devices, to make your writing more engaging.

7. Add humor to make it interesting

An essay that can make people laugh is an essay that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression.

When writing, try to add humor whenever possible to make the essay interesting to read . It also shows that you aren't afraid to be vulnerable.

For instance, let's say you're writing a personal narrative about a funny mishap you experienced while traveling. By sharing humorous details and showcasing your ability to laugh at yourself, you not only bring entertainment to your readers but also reveal your willingness to embrace moments of vulnerability.

However, be careful to use wit and humor wisely while ensuring it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your essay. It needs to enhance the essay and not detract from the main message.

8. Do not plagiarize

One of the best ways to ensure your essay is unique is to write it from your perspective. Avoid copying and pasting other people’s work, and don’t steal ideas because they’ll be easily recognizable by the professor.

If you use sources for research or inspiration, ensure you cite them properly. Also, cite direct quotes, and if you’re unsure of a particular phrase’s origin, it's best to rephrase it.

Plagiarism in any form — whether from websites, books, or other students— is a serious offense that can lead to dire consequences, including expulsion from the college. That’s why your essays should always be completely original and authentic.

9. Ask for feedback

Before submitting your essay, ask someone else to review it to get a fresh perspective. 

This person could be a teacher, friend, or parent. Choose someone you trust who will keep your best interest in mind and give constructive feedback.

Listening to someone else’s input can help you identify areas that need improvement, and you can make the necessary changes for your essay to stand out.

How do I make my writing not cringe?

Your writing can make you cringe if you lack confidence in your writing or lack understanding of your audience. It might be helpful to read your essay aloud, and if something makes you cringe, change it.

Additionally, always consider your audience when you write. Use a formal tone and avoid slang or overly casual language. Lastly, be sure to edit and proofread your work thoroughly to avoid any embarrassing mistakes.

Writing a unique college essay requires time, effort, and dedication. However, it always pays to be creative and unique rather than lost in the large pool of similar essays. With the right approach and mindset, you can easily transform your boring writing into something brilliant and engaging.

Always strive for originality and make an effort to write in a distinct manner that sets you apart from your classmates. Additionally, infusing your essays with your unique personality can make them truly outstanding and earn you high scores!

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• Writing Tips

How to Write an Excellent Essay Introduction

3-minute read

• 27th September 2022

Love it or hate it, essay writing is a big part of student life. Writing a great essay might seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re staring at a blank document, but there are formulas you can follow to make sure your paper hits the mark.

When you plan your essays , don’t neglect your introduction! It might seem like a trivial part of the paper, but it can make it or break it. A badly written introduction can leave your reader feeling confused about the topic and what to expect from your essay.

To help your writing reach its full potential, we’ve put together a guide to writing an excellent essay introduction.

How to Write an Essay Introduction

An essay introduction has four main steps:

●  Hook your reader

●  Provide context

●  Present your thesis statement

●  Map your essay

Hook Your Reader

The first part of your introduction should be the hook. This is where you introduce the reader to the topic of the essay. A great hook should be clear, concise, and catchy. It doesn’t need to be long; a hook can be just one sentence.

Provide Context

In this section, introduce your reader to key definitions, ideas, and background information to help them understand your argument.

Present Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the reader the main point or argument of the essay. This can be just one sentence, or it can be a few sentences.

Map Your Essay

Before you wrap up your essay introduction, map it! This means signposting sections of your essay. The key here is to be concise. The purpose of this part of the introduction is to give your reader a sense of direction.

Here’s an example of an essay introduction:

Hook: Suspense is key for dramatic stories, and Shakespeare is well-known and celebrated for writing suspenseful plays.

Context: While there are many ways in which Shakespeare created suspension for his viewers, two techniques he used effectively were foreshadowing and dramatic irony. Foreshadowing is a literary device that hints at an event or situation that is yet to happen. Dramatic irony is a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character’s words or actions is clear to the audience or reader, although it is unknown to the character.

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Thesis statement: Foreshadowing and dramatic irony are two powerful techniques that Shakespeare used to create suspense in literature. These methods have been used to keep the reader intrigued, excited, or nervous about what is to come in many of his celebrated works.

Essay mapping: In this essay, I will be detailing how Shakespeare uses foreshadowing and dramatic irony to create suspense, with examples from Romeo and Juliet and Othello.

Pro tip: Essays take twists and turns. We recommend changing your introduction as necessary while you write the main text to make sure it fully aligns with your final draft.

Proofread and Editing

Proofreading is an essential part of delivering a great essay. We offer a proofreading and editing service for students and academics that will provide you with expert editors to check your work for any issues with:

●  Grammar

●  Spelling

●  Formatting

●  Tone

●  Audience

●  Consistency

●  Accuracy

●  Clarity

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How to write a brilliant essay

Passing an exam is not just about recounting the right facts, it is also about how you present them. Before the exam season starts, it might be time to polish your essay-writing skills.

Follow our 10 guidelines:

· consider your reader. You are not writing for friends or yourself - but for your tutor . This should influence the language you use and the content of the essay. Imagine your reader as you write. Now decide the purpose of the essay. Is it to inform or to persuade?

· do your research. Unless you are at postgraduate level, where interviews come in as well, there are three sources to use - books, periodicals and the internet. Don't be lazy and just rely on one source. First check your reading list. Next ask your tutor for details of any new books not on the list. Make friends with your librarian and ask about relevant periodicals. Periodicals have currency because they are published regularly and so will contain up-to-date facts and opinions

· make a plan: this can be detailed or sketchy, but it should contain all the points you need to make in the order you want to make them in

· analyse and interpret information: you must show evidence that you are not just parroting what you have read, but that you understand the implications. You are judging the success or failure, the strengths or weaknesses of the topic and your analysis should say whether the components of the topic work in harmony or not, and why not

· write a clear opening: you need an impressive opening paragraph that engages the reader, establishes the topic and presents the argument

· write clear body paragraphs: your essay needs a "topic" - or headline sentence - supporting sentences that elaborate this, and the sense of a unified argument

· write an explicit conclusion. A common fault is to ramble on - more experienced essay writers aim for a sense of closure. The conclusion should relate back to the opening paragraph and show that the essay's purpose has been fulfilled

· spelling: yes it does matter, poor spelling creates a barrier between you and your reader. So, do not just rely on the spellcheck, but check for errors yourself

· punctuation: punctuation marks are like traffic signals - they help create order out of chaos. Anything that helps your teacher or tutor read your essay will help you

· finally - to avoid accusations of plagiarism, learn to acknowledge your sources, whether as acknowledgments or footnotes.

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Copyblogger

51 Smart Tips for Brilliant Writing

Do you sound smarter when you use big words?

According to a study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology , the answer is no.

In fact, complex writing makes you sound small-minded. Just consider the title of the study: Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity: problems with using long words needlessly.

Wouldn’t it be better to title this study something like The effect of using big words when you don’t need them?

To sound smart, you must stop trying to sound smart. Brilliant writing is simple writing, a relevant idea delivered clearly and directly.

Here are 11 ways you can start writing today and sound brilliant:

1. Have something to say

This makes writing easier and faster. When you have nothing to say, you are forced to write sentences that sound meaningful but deliver nothing.

Read widely. Take notes. Choose your subjects wisely. Then share the information with readers, in your own writing voice .

2. Be specific

Consider two sentences:

I grow lots of flowers in my back yard. I grow 34 varieties of flowers in my back yard, including pink coneflowers, purple asters, yellow daylilies, Shasta daisies, and climbing clematis.

Which is more interesting in a writing introduction ? Which helps you see my back yard?

3. Choose simple words

Write use instead of utilize , near instead of close proximity , help instead of facilitate , for instead of in the amount of , start instead of commence .

Use longer words only if your meaning is so specific no other words will do.

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4. Write short sentences

You should keep sentences short for the same reason you keep paragraphs short: they’re easier to read and understand.

Each sentence should have one simple thought. More than that creates complexity and invites confusion.

5. Use the active voice

In English, readers prefer the SVO sentence sequence: Subject, Verb, Object. This is the active voice.

For example:

Passive sentences bore people.

When you reverse the active sequence, you have the OVS or passive sequence: Object, Verb, Subject.

People are bored by passive sentences.

You can’t always use the active voice, but most writers should use it more often.

6. Keep paragraphs short

Look at any newspaper and notice the short paragraphs.

That’s done to make reading easier, because our brains take in information better when it’s broken into small chunks.

In academic writing, each paragraph develops one idea and often includes many sentences. But in casual, everyday writing, the style is less formal and paragraphs may be as short as a single sentence or even a single word.

7. Eliminate fluff words

Qualifying words, such as very , little , and rather , add nothing to your meaning and suck the life out of your sentences.

It is very important to basically avoid fluff words because they are rather empty and sometimes a little distracting.

Mark Twain suggested that you should “Substitute damn every time you’re inclined to write very ; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”

8. Don’t ramble

Rambling is a big problem for many writers. Not as big as some other problems, such as affordable health insurance or the Middle East, which has been a problem for many decades because of disputes over territory. Speaking of which, the word “territory” has an interesting word origin from terra , meaning earth.

But the point is, don’t ramble.

9. Don’t be redundant or repeat yourself

Also, don’t keep writing the same thing over and over and over. In other words, say something once rather than several times. Because when you repeat yourself or keep writing the same thing, your readers go to sleep.

10. Don’t over write

This is a symptom of having too little to say or too much ego .

Put your reader first. Put yourself in the background. Focus on the message.

You can instantly and dramatically improve your blog writing skills and immediately explode your profits and skyrocket your online success by following the spectacular, simple, and practical tips found in this groundbreaking new free blog post.

11. Edit ruthlessly

Shorten, delete, and rewrite anything that does not add to the meaning. It’s okay to write in a casual style, but don’t inject extra words without good reason.

To make this easier, break your writing into three steps:

• Write the entire text.
• Set your text aside for a few hours or days.
• Return to your text fresh and edit.

None of us can ever be perfect writers, and no one expects us to be. However, we can all improve our style and sound smarter by following these tips and writing naturally.

40 quick writing tips to help you start today

Looking for more quick writing tips? These 40 pointers will help you organize and express your thoughts.

• Stop overthinking.
• Jot down one idea at a time.
• Write a little bit every day.
• Read something interesting if you’re feeling stuck.
• Make notes in your phone.
• Keep a pen and pad of paper with you when you’re away from your computer.
• Transfer your notes to your computer regularly.
• Pause conversations to capture interesting anecdotes.
• Add interesting anecdotes to conversations.
• Monitor how people react.
• Research fascinating topics.
• Brainstorm the best way to approach a topic.
• Look for fresh angles.
• Listen to a podcast related to your topic.
• Watch a video related to your topic.
• Discover the time of day when you’re most creative.
• Schedule time to write at your desk.
• Clean your desk.
• Know your audience.
• Practice choosing the right words.
• Outline your main points.
• Experiment with how you structure your writing.
• Draft many headlines.
• Craft intriguing subheadlines.
• Use effective bullet points.
• Study other authors.
• Create a messy draft.
• Take a break before you edit.
• Refine your messy draft.
• Edit with your ideal reader in mind.
• Choose simple language.
• Clarify any confusing phrases.
• Keep your explanations concise.
• Go into more detail only when it’s necessary.
• Entertain your reader.
• Share an unpopular opinion.
• Inspire new ideas.
• Transform written articles into other forms of content.
• Prompt your reader to take notes on your content.
• Motivate your reader to share your content.

Want the best of Copyblogger for writers delivered directly to your inbox?

If you’re looking to strengthen your writing skills in practical and effective ways, let us guide you to the best resources on Copyblogger.

Because when you get the exact right information, you can immediately begin to up your game as a content writer. And that’s what’s going to get you the results you want.

The written word drives the web. It always has, and it always will.

Even if you’re working with audio or video, the right words are still what make the difference.

• Words drive engagement.
• Words drive customer experience.
• Words drive sales, growth, and profit.

And if you want to master the art of using words to drive business results, you’ve come to the perfect place — Copyblogger has helped accelerate the careers of writers just like you since 2006.

Jump in (it’s all free) and let us take you straight to the good stuff:

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Reader Interactions

Reader comments (181).

April 7, 2010 at 8:15 am

I think one big word is good, people that use many risk alienating readers. I enjoy articles that have one big word that fits perfectly. It makes me feel the article was worthwhile (I learned something), no matter what.

April 7, 2010 at 8:17 am

At school, I loved maths/science and hated English. My writing was bad. I felt stupid because all the other kids used long words.

Then a few years ago, a good friend of mine, who is a confidence coach, simply told me I was much better understood by others because I used plain and simple words…. none of these pompous long words.

It took someone else to point out my simple writing strength.

September 4, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Friends usually praise me for using simple words in my writing. They said they wanted to learn how to do it. So, they asked me to teach them.

I told them that my writing vocabulary is very limited. I have no other choice but to use simple words. Those are the only words I know.

Jef Menguin

April 7, 2010 at 8:18 am

After all, everything is about simplicity.

Less is more!

April 7, 2010 at 8:19 am

Some writers seem to use ‘rambling’ for comic effect and it seems to work quite well for them – but perhaps it only works for those with an established audience who have come to expect it??

I confess that I fall foul of most of the tips above. 🙁

January 1, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Basically rambling only “works” when the intent is humor. It distracts us from an initial point, sometimes returning us there via a circuitous route, sometimes dropping us off at the head of a totally new pathway. Handled with care, it can leave the reader saying ‘hmph’ to himself as he grins at being cleverly tricked. Handled poorly, it can be accompanied by the sound of a book being slammed shut and tossed into the fire.

I ramble far too much. Not because I have nothing to say or am pretentious, but because I have ADD and that’s the way my brain works. I think that I get more ideas on paper faster than most people, but I think it likely that I spend more time editing in order to get decent copy, too.

August 4, 2011 at 3:13 am

I ramble a ton, and like Bill it’s not to be egotistical or for filler (typically), it’s just that is how I’ve always written. I actually do write with a personal style, but part of my personal style IS my rambling. However, perhaps that should be my next “elimination round” for re-writing since I get less than 50 VIEWS… not visits, not subscribers, but VIEWS a day. My HIGHEST has been 75 VIEWS in a day. No subscribers.

The more I read about other people’s blogs, the more envious I get.

But, I will also say that I’ve been too heavy handed on the “good grammar” aspect of using 4-6 sentence paragraphs, instead of limiting my paragraphs to a just a few sentences if that was all that was necessary.

There I go rambling again. =P

April 7, 2010 at 8:24 am

I hope this post goes viral today – these tips are what strong writers do every day. Saying more with less is the best kind of writing. I think that’s why enjoy blog writing because the whole point is to say as much as you can in the smallest space. What good are big words if they don’t add clarity?

April 7, 2010 at 8:25 am

Thanks for putting this list together. Now, I must apply it!

Information like this is priceless!

Chat with you later… Josh

August 4, 2011 at 3:14 am

I think you just succeeded in every single one of these tips.

April 7, 2010 at 8:30 am

Love Mark Twain’s quote.

By the way, could “brilliant” be considered a fluff word in some context? 🙂

Ana/ YourNetBiz

April 7, 2010 at 8:31 am

This is very useful advice. I find your posts almost always help me. Thank you!

April 7, 2010 at 8:34 am

Damn fine article… Mark Twain would be proud!

I think the title of that study is really clever, though. How often are the titles of studies funny, while also clearly illustrating the point of the study? Full points!

I know it’s widely accepted writing tips gospel, but I’m still unconvinced by the “passive voice must be avoided!” rule of writing. See, when I was taught English (as a foreign language), I was told, “in English, the passive voice is used very often so you will have to learn how to use it.” I did, like a good little student, only to be told later in life I should stop!

Did the last paragraph really bore you that much? (Did you even notice?) Is the active form really always better? Where did this anti-passive sentiment start?

I realise you may not have the answers, but I’ve long wondered, so if you do, fill me in!

September 4, 2010 at 1:34 pm

Passive voice has its own place. It is very useful when you are describing a process or when the doer of the action is not as important as the result.

April 7, 2010 at 8:35 am

I love the big words. Love them. But I tend not to write them so much as I would speak them, so it’s not a problem in my blogging.

Just two days ago I was reading Ray Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing and a maxim jumped right out at me: “…when you write quickly, you write honestly.” I love that. It’s both true and useful. And to follow along with today’s point, when you write quickly, you can’t stuff your writing full of multi-syllabic nonsense someone else can’t easily decipher.

April 7, 2010 at 8:43 am

These are brilliant tips! Anyone of our clients writing copy for their site could benefit from this. Thanks!

April 7, 2010 at 8:45 am

Interesting. I’m translator, and when we speak about these online writing news and challenges of the unknown, it seems that both languages coincide. The same principles apply to my native language (Spanish). I’m ready to read the next 11 tips! Thank you!

April 7, 2010 at 8:47 am

Great advice. I find audio transcription a useful technique to avoid unnatural language, thus my writing comes across more conversational. A great iPhone app for this is Dragon Dictation.

April 7, 2010 at 8:52 am

Great tips! As a psychologist I know of the big words–and they do bore me! Even though I understand the words, I skim over much of them to get to the point. Which might be a the 12th tip here: Get to the point and be done with it!

April 7, 2010 at 8:57 am

If for nothing else, avoid the passive voice since politicians use it to get around tough questions. 🙂

Politicians know “it’s easy to leave the actor out of passive sentences… to avoid mentioning who is responsible for certain actions.”

April 7, 2010 at 9:02 am

I’m a civil servant. I know all about leaving the actor out of sentences, but does that mean the active voice is always better? Is the problem the voice, or the avoidance?

It’s perfectly possible to avoid identifying the actor when writing in the active voice. I did it just now.

Politicians also use soap. Should I stop?

April 7, 2010 at 9:10 am

There is only a small handful of people that have their clocks wound through big words.

The rest of our customers just want to hear us speak in everyday language. When I write copy I like to pretend that I am writing a letter to my grandmother. If she would get what I’m saying then I know it worked.

Great post. Very concise and packed with valuable tidbits.

-Joshua Black The Underdog Millionaire

April 7, 2010 at 9:16 am

It’s great how you made your point both in words and in this blog. Nice job!

April 7, 2010 at 9:18 am

@willie. I’m no active voice extremist, but active rules!

“politicians also use soap. Should I stop?”

Didn’t you mean, “The soap was used by the politicians. Should I be stopped by that?” 😉

April 7, 2010 at 9:23 am

Thank you, Dean. I’ve been reading your stuff for 15 years or more (a yellowed torn-out page from an old DM News confirms this), and you’re always right on. Too many writers, I think, begin with the goal of impressing their audiences. The real goal is communication.

April 7, 2010 at 9:27 am

I always keep in mind that I should write simple words and short sentences when I’m writing.

April 7, 2010 at 9:30 am

@willie, passive voice isn’t always a bad thing. But in general, I agree with Shane & Dean, active voice is clearer and it always identify who or what is doing the action of the sentence.

Too often, passive voice is used to keep from getting clear about what’s actually going on. The classic example being “mistakes were made.” Well ok, that’s helpful in one sense, but it would be good to know who made them.

The reason so many writing teachers recommend reworking passive to active is it’s a quick way to make your writing simpler and more direct. I like the way Dean framed it, rather than saying “it’s always wrong.”

April 7, 2010 at 9:44 am

Excellent and immediately useful tips. Novice blogger.

April 7, 2010 at 9:45 am

Nice post. I see a conflict between #2 and #4. In example #2, you take a sentence and make a paragraph out of it. In #4, you advise shorter sentences. I think the example in #2 would have worked better if you had found a way to use several short sentences to flesh out the description.

I’m a nit picker.

May 1, 2012 at 10:43 am

Benjie, I beg to disagree, there is no conflict. Adjectives and adverbs are two different things. He advises against using “unnecessary” words and keep it to the point, not do away with subject matter altogether.

April 7, 2010 at 9:56 am

Probably one of my biggest downfalls is being a little too stiff in my writing style. I appreciate your tips Dean. I think we all know many of these things. I’ll be very good at my writing for day, then start to get carried away and back into bad habits. Nice refresher.

April 7, 2010 at 10:01 am

“Sesquipedalian” means the use of especially big or long words. You should assiduously eschew obfuscatory prolixity and hyperverbosity.

April 7, 2010 at 10:08 am

Your post was very good, Dean. A nice, clean, spare writing style is something to be envied. I go in spurts. When I organize myself and clear my head, I do well. My thoughts flow and I lose myself in my writing. I glance at the clock and realize I’ve been writing and editing the same piece for 2 hours. I feel good about the end result.

Then, the next day, things may go all to heck in a handcart. I allow the tyranny of the urgent to take over and find myself racing to get things done. My work suffers, my desk gets more cluttered and I get so scattered I don’t do anything particularly well.

That’s when I pull back and decide to let my writing take a breather, while I catch up on other things. I don’t allow myself to turn out garbage. When I’m back to the right place in my head, I start writing again.

Thanks for the reminders and the little insights.

Steve Benedict

April 7, 2010 at 10:17 am

To take a page from Hemingway… good post! Time to drink.

April 7, 2010 at 10:19 am

You are singing my song. I read so much tangled writing every day that my eyes hurt.

April 7, 2010 at 10:24 am

@Bob, thanks for the reminder about a word I happen to love!

@James, laughing, thanks.

April 7, 2010 at 10:27 am

As a grammar lover, librarian, Mark Twain fan, and nit-picker, I love everything about the post.

I recently learned that there is now an opera based on Strunk’s The Elements of Style, for anyone who just can’t get through the book:)

April 7, 2010 at 10:36 am

ps. Active voice cuts down on word count, too. At 8 cents per word, that can add up with the proofer.

April 7, 2010 at 10:37 am

OK, well, I’m not trying to start the passive voice appreciation society here (although I do think it’s been unneccesarily hated on by some).

And, yes, the passive voice can be and is used to obfuscate. Sometimes, though, who is doing the obfuscating (for example) is either unimportant or really obvious (here it’s clearly the aforementioned soap-using politicians). (The bastards.)

I guess my main issue with “avoid the passive voice” as writing advice is that for many of us, determining whether a sentence is in active or passive voice is a non-trivial task. It is a non-trivial task to me, and I’m *good* at grammar.

Instead of spending time working out whether each of your sentences is active or passive, is it not more efficient to hunt for things that are unclear, or wordy, or that sound like a civil servant wrote it?

April 7, 2010 at 10:38 am

Great tips to keep in mind, especially number 4 – I am Queen of the never ending sentence.

April 7, 2010 at 10:45 am

I think these are all very useful tips – thanks for sharing. The advice on short sentences, paragraphs and not writing too much are something I think would make a lot of blogs a lot better and are sins I often fall foul of myself (I am a chronic over-writer).

Josh, is that opera real? I’m the kind of word geek who’d go and see it!

April 7, 2010 at 10:50 am

I’ll definitely apply these tips. Thanks for posting it! More power! (^_^)

April 7, 2010 at 10:56 am

@Willie, it only takes a few seconds to erase passive.

In your word processor, do a search for any form of “to be” (ex. “is, are, am, was, were, has been, have been, had been, will be, can be, should be, would be.”). If verbs follow these words, it’s probably passive voice.

To establish niche authority, we need to write with authority. And, yes, you’re making me laugh (Josh, too).

Passive voice is to be avoided because many extra syllables are added for it to be accomplished.

Avoid passive voice, which adds many extra syllables. (43% difference)

As for the big words and complex sentence issues– while thesauritis and inelegant subordination can lead to obsfucation, we have 800,000 words to choose from and complex ideas to convey. Simple sentences cannot express complex, subtle relationships. The world of ideas should not be limited to a 4th grade reading level.

April 7, 2010 at 11:09 am

Great article. I noticed I’m doing a couple of these things. I need to stop.

Another thing to add to Edit Ruthlessly: read your copy out loud. One of the quickest ways to catch all the points that come before 11.

April 7, 2010 at 11:34 am

Great blogging advice! Ban the fluff, for sure. Be concise. Be simple if/when possible. And *usually* brevity is helpful too, but rambling from time to time CAN be just what the meandering flâneur needs… 😉

April 7, 2010 at 11:40 am

This is right in line with the lessons from a business writing course I’m taking. What’s interesting is that I didn’t realize that I was adding fluff words, cliches, etc. until after I took the course. I now find myself auto-correcting my writing more.

Your tips are simple, but so valuable. I think more of us need these tips than we realize.

Thanks for sharing.

April 7, 2010 at 11:41 am

I do wish that Dean had a career in politics. It would be so good to hear less hot air and more truth from those who are supposed to govern us.

April 7, 2010 at 11:53 am

Love this as so many of us are guilty of these at one point or another. I am not a fan of the big words as it do not find them to be very conversational. I do not necessarily talk in big words so why would I write that way is sort of my model for writing. For me it is not necessarily about looking smarter or not, it is about how I talk and transferring that over to how I write.

These tips are ones to remember esp when we do start to ramble – resists the inviting temptation.

@SuzanneVara

April 7, 2010 at 12:08 pm

I’ve always been a believer in these suggestions. Always remembering to use them is another question…

April 7, 2010 at 12:13 pm

“Is passive voice must have to be avoided?” I think it shouldn’t, because it is the smartest way to keep long your article without adding some extra information.

April 7, 2010 at 12:18 pm

I disagree with #3. I think some well-placed “big words” beg the reader to grow instead of “talking down.” As mdb wrote in the first reply, it may ask them to learn something new. Maybe I write to stir people differently, as I’m sure personal style creates its own parameters. I feel it’s most important to string words together in your own voice.

Of course, I’ve yet to really go out and develop an audience. I may adapt my view when that time comes.

April 7, 2010 at 1:16 pm

Be succinct!

April 7, 2010 at 1:26 pm

I got a kick out of this: Mark Twain suggested that you should “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”

It’s damn good! [Edited: It’s good; hmm it doesn’t sound as good as it seems. This is the case where you gotta keep the ‘damn’! Of course it’s not professional, but you don’t have to be.]

One side thought: Although many Copyblogger posts are driving home the same messages, repetition is crucial in making the messages stick. Everytime I read a new post, I get some new ideas to work on. This always happens even if I’d already seen the tips/advices tens of times.

April 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm

After further consideration, I think the picture you’re trying to paint is the guiding principle.

You can say something “takes hard work” or be more descriptive and refer to “inglorious and unglamorous toil.”

Again, it comes down to style. Just a second though to share.

April 7, 2010 at 2:43 pm

Great list of tips to keep us all focused. For those of us that had to write huge papers in high school and college, writing so that most people can understand and enjoy does not come naturally.

We’ve been taught that you have to use flowery language and write above people’s heads.

Do that online and you’ll have a bunch of bored readers. Keep things short, interesting and to the point.

April 7, 2010 at 2:48 pm

Love this! Your first point is great. Have something worthwhile to say. When you do have meaning behind your words, it’s easy to write simply and specifically. You know your point. You get it across. Job well done.

April 7, 2010 at 3:04 pm

My favorite: “Shorten, delete, and rewrite anything that does not add to the meaning. It’s okay to write in a casual style, but don’t inject extra words without good reason.”

April 7, 2010 at 3:21 pm

I’m guilty of many of these, especially #s 5 and 7. But a bigger issue for me is trying to balance writing for attorneys with good blogging. I can see how #3 makes sense for content in general, but most of my clients prefer “commence” and similar words in legal docs. I guess it means I must juggle 2 writing styles to blog well and satisfy my clients. Thanks for the tips, timely as always!

April 7, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Great list 🙂 I am very new in the field of writing and I feel your post directly pointed out to me the areas I need to work on.

Thank you for sharing those strategies 🙂

April 7, 2010 at 4:34 pm

I’ve been thinking about this post all day. Every time I sat down to write something, I double checked to be sure I wasn’t using any $100 words. It’s unlikely that I would, but as a graduate student I have added a few “academic” terms to my vocabulary. I would hate for them to slip in to everyday conversation! 🙂

April 7, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Great stuff. Short and sweet. Thank you.

April 7, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Great tips Dean. I’ll keep an eye on my “very, little and rather” etc. I think I’m guilty. I’ve never given much thought to the active vs passive voicing before either. Thanks for posting.

April 7, 2010 at 4:51 pm

It is sometimes hard not to use big words to describe something… It can be quicker and more precise to use technical jargon and fancy words but you do have to get your message across to your reader, who may not have the depth of your vocabulary. Personally, I don’t know many big words… I think wordy is better than verbose anyway, which is what I am becoming here…

April 7, 2010 at 5:23 pm

@Dean – Thanks for the article, and especially the damn fine Mark Twain quote. I love it.

@WillieHewes – My gripe with passive voice is that it usually hurts clarity. I agree that “determining whether a sentence is in active or passive voice is a non-trivial task”, so I let Microsoft Word help. I swear that its grammar checker draws immense pleasure from harassing me about passive voice. I gripe, but my rewrite is usually much clearer. Maybe your word processing software has a similar torture-the-writer option. Word doesn’t have an option to flag writing that sounds-like-a-civil-servant-wrote-it though. Maybe in the next version 🙂

April 7, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Fantastic tips. It’s essential to strike a balance between writing detailed, specific points and eliminating grandiose phrasing.

Amen, Dean. Excellent post.

April 7, 2010 at 5:47 pm

There’s nothing worse than trying to eke out a post when you have nothing to say! I’ve been guilty of it several times, but my new technique is to plan out (bullet point) all my drafts on a Monday, then they simmer away in my mind and I fill in the gaps later in the week. It’s saving me a lot of time actually.

April 7, 2010 at 6:40 pm

I think that everyone who writes should read Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’, even if you’re not a fiction writer. He covers a lot of these tips, actually. I don’t necessarily agree with everything he says, like cutting all your adverbs (a well-placed one can be handy), but since I read it I can see where I’m going wrong and fix it – and see how much better it is afterwards.

April 7, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Thanks Dean, your words have ignited a spark of responses hungry for simplified expression. Me too as I struggle to find ways to describe the way something looks.. as in a product that effects a great look expressed as ‘gorgeous..’ Any thoughts as to expression of tired words so people don’t switch off ?

April 7, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Its an awesome article. I have been struggling to write these simple words and explain correctly. Now, I have some idea and hopefully I will use on my website. I have been writing a website on Nepal with lots of helpful informations. If you guys could help me how to simplify my writing visiting my website that would be awesome.

April 7, 2010 at 7:46 pm

Holy crap! Love the tips, but I am not reading all these comments. lol. I would be here for hours, and I’m sure I would run across a few redundant things.

I love number 7. Eliminate the fluff. Cut it out. Chop it up. Anything that can help us keep it simple, make it more readable and get our message across is a good lesson to learn. Damn good!

April 7, 2010 at 7:57 pm

Love the Mark Twain quote!

Simplicity is key.

April 7, 2010 at 10:17 pm

Thanks for the great post! K.I.S.S. when you communicate.

April 8, 2010 at 3:02 am

These Tips are very unique and easy to learn …. I like it, Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

April 8, 2010 at 5:33 am

“Word doesn’t have an option to flag writing that sounds-like-a-civil-servant-wrote-it though. Maybe in the next version.”

They should totally build that. I might even use the programme if they did.

April 8, 2010 at 7:15 am

I will never be able to write ‘very’ again without thinking about Mark Twain.

April 8, 2010 at 8:17 am

One of the other advantages of the Write – Wait – Edit approach is that you will discover words that have been left out and should be there to complete a sentence.

The missing words are in your head when you write the article and when you review it right after writing. The missing words are no longer in your head when you come back later to review and edit the article.

April 8, 2010 at 8:30 am

Leaving the text and coming back later is a trick that I swear by. I also read text out loud to spot errors.

Mark Twain cracks me up.

April 8, 2010 at 9:22 am

Good writing tips here. I do have a tendency of getting a little long winded some times. How do you like Thesis? I’m considering purchasing.

April 8, 2010 at 9:36 am

Luv 1 – 8 and 10

I guess having something to write SHOULD be your first step..lol

April 8, 2010 at 10:47 am

Thanks for firmly reminding me about what I know but tend to ignore!

Especially timely as I write monthly blogs and website articles for clients, as well as myself. This will help me give them better value.

April 8, 2010 at 10:50 am

Excellent post Dean. The idea is to welcome readers and let them know that we are just as ordinary as any other person. This keeps the readers coming back as having simple English laid out enables more understanding, instantly encouraging him/her to ENGAGE with the writer; which is important.

April 8, 2010 at 2:04 pm

This is an interesting study. However, this seems to be stating the obvious. Overusing complex terminology and vague adjectives definitely alienates the average reader. Technical vernacular is appropriate for trade journals and other professional publication but vague adjectives always make the writer seem less credible. I am a journalism student at the University of Kansas and these are the types writing guideline that were drilled into our brains during the first research and writing class we were required to take. All these guidelines are basic AP and inverted pyramid news writing styles. Nevertheless, it is nice to see one scientific field provide legitimacy to the practices of another.

April 8, 2010 at 4:31 pm

I agree. Using complicated words only makes you sound like you’re trying to be smart as apposed to actually being smart. Got a chuckle out of “See?”

April 8, 2010 at 5:12 pm

Thanks for this article. I really need it today, and I have it bookmarked. Awesome tips.

April 8, 2010 at 8:42 pm

Agreed! I feel the most inspired and creative when I’m taking simple ideas and turning them into fresh, exciting, new insight. It’s the same with words. It’s how you use them together and develop the relationship between them. In a vaccum, words mean nothing. Delicately crafted, they’re powerful tools.

April 9, 2010 at 3:01 am

I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent and articulate person. But when I read academic articles and journals I typically find them full of words that seem designed to confuse. So a really useful application of these basic rules would be in academic papers. Encourage understanding rather than show how clever you are.

By the way, love the site.

April 9, 2010 at 3:27 pm

These are some very good tips. Especially #1 “Having Something To Say.” Because without this it’s a waste of time for you and your readers.

Kind regards,

April 11, 2010 at 11:08 am

Thank for the tips, there are many people like me who are not the best at writing but we still want to express ourselves.

To writers these are already embedded in them, but for those who aren’t, it is always great to see read them to start the process of having them naturally enforced in our writing.

April 11, 2010 at 7:24 pm

Simple, concise, brilliant.

April 12, 2010 at 8:15 am

I am going to print this and hang it by my computer to serve as a reminder.

An important trick I see some great writers use is rhythm. They use words like a paint brush and are able make something boring or difficult easier to read. I compare to a photograph of an ugly person wearing a nice shirt.

April 16, 2010 at 10:35 pm

Simply brilliant. A good reference would be “On Writing Well”, an excellent book which covers many of these topics in such simplicity that you wonder why you didn’t remember them from high school or grammar school …. (did they ever teach us that stuff?) Thank you!

April 17, 2010 at 9:06 pm

Reading this was so refreshing…Thanks for the great content. I’m going to print it and keep it handy it was so good!

April 19, 2010 at 11:11 am

July 29, 2010 at 2:36 pm

Well, I think it’s pretty clear from the subtitle of the study that the main title was a joke… And while a “conversational” style of copy is more effective in general, I think how far to go with that is dependent on the site that you are writing for. If I’m writing copy for a VoTech, I do not want to go overly verbose, but sounding like I’m a teenager texting my friends does not work either. And while I suppose it is ultimately true that you have to take into account smaller and smaller vocabularies, sometimes it is just easier and more efficient to use a “big word”.

April 23, 2011 at 3:10 pm

I try to use the simplest word that exactly fits the situation. Sometimes a ‘larger’, less familiar word is the correct match. “Dumbing down” is not the correct approach for everything.

If I were describing a General speaking to the Senate, at first I would have him use military gobbledygook to try to BS the Senators (a pre-emptive counter-strike against the counter-insurgents*, for instance). Then, when the bull stuff hit the PhD (Piled Higher & Deeper) levels, I’d have the Senators interrupt him for a definition in layman terms. The General might not even know the layman terms … so he/she would have to fumble in the simple-words backpack for something that might be useful.

Finally, the Senators might choose to express their frustration and say something to the effect of “General, let’s cut to the chase … when you aim the damned thing and pull the trigger, what in the hell is supposed to happen next?”

Is there a simpler term for “gobbledygook”? Definitely … but you’d have to string a bunch of those simpler terms together to express the same thought and that would NOT simplify either the writing or the reading.

There is concision in precision.

Use a large word when it suits the purpose better than a short word or a brief phrase. Use the larger word when it will be understood by your audience at least as readily as-a-bunch-of-small-words-piled-up-in-a-three-high-traffic-accident-just-before-the-full-stop.

Just my 2 cents worth.

*attacking the lawful government

July 31, 2010 at 9:31 am

Well I agree with this: Nobody can be perfect writers.

As time passes by we become aware of the mistakes what we do commonly and try to correct it to improvise ourselves.

August 17, 2010 at 12:51 am

The word fat is a perfectly good one, but when it is hijacked by neo-puritans, with the implication that slimness equates to virtue, we are on dangerous ground.

August 21, 2010 at 9:04 am

I endorse this completely. This stuff is what I teach my essay writing students. I wonder if all these are applicable to writing marketing copy.

August 31, 2010 at 2:59 am

Brilliant tips! These impart a lot of confidence into people like me, who would want to try a hand at writing a blog.

October 25, 2010 at 6:44 am

I love to write……simple. Earlier I used to feel I wasn’t good at writing for I couldn’t remember long words, however much I had tried. Really, I had given a lot to digest long dictionary word so that I could also write ‘good’. Somewhere inside I always hated looking into the dictionary while reading books. And that was probably the reason why I could never remember long words.

When I started with content writing job, I realized that: at least on the web, nobody is going to sit with a dictionary to understand my text. I only use longer synonyms of any simple word when the word itself has been already used. I, as a reader also, want to read and understand a sentence in an instant…. and want to build up a similar content for all readers……so now I love writing SIMPLE…..

April 23, 2011 at 3:43 pm

The way to read a sentence “in an instant” … ANY sentence … is to build up your vocabulary and grammar. The way to do that is to read material that is challenging: not material with all the life sucked out of it by the “keep it simple” police.

The way to limit your audience to those who can barely drool is to continually accommodate the least literate of them. As we have seen on the internet, that bar continually gets lower and lower. It’s a race to the bottom. All you have to do is find a line of fools, blow a whistle to get their attention, then walk away, dropping marshmallows behind you. In the end, your readers will not be able to understand you (in ANY language) and you will not be able to find simple enough words to actually communicate anything beyond “New!”, “Improved!”.

Don’t go there. Don’t lower your own command of the language and don’t talk down to your readers. Yes, you will gain the less literate … but it will come at the expense of the more literate (who generally have more disposable income).

Look at the ads for luxury automobiles. They generally have a few VERY well chosen words. They aren’t afraid of tossing in foreign terms or using unusual typefaces (which, I assure you, were as thoroughly tested as the words themselves).

You will not become a better writer by abandoning your craft and aiming for the bottom of the pile. You become a better writer by mastering your craft and aiming at any part of the pile you choose.

October 26, 2010 at 4:20 am

The tips above strike a chord. I love to read anything that neatly describes what I already believe, but failed to put into words myself.

October 27, 2010 at 12:10 am

All these rules basically work together – if you use one, often times, the rest will follow. For example, if you work on 4. “keeping it short,” you will also avoid 7-10, avoiding rambling, fluff, redundancy, and over writing. I agree that big words are not always best, but I’m not sure how I feel about steering clear of ‘longer’ words. Sometimes, I think “utilize” is an appropriate replacement for use. Use can sound bland whereas utilize, if you ask me, falls under step 2 of being specific – utilize paints a more descriptive image for the reader. Other than that, I think these 11 tips are simple and completely on target. It’s hard to disappoint when you follow guidelines as point-blank and directional as these. And better yet, they apply to all forms or writing: blogs, memos, letters, documents, anything.

October 28, 2010 at 12:03 pm

The ‘complex’ title that you described made me chuckle, and effectively got the point across. I have always struggled with keeping my writing concise and clear. Your post offers some great advice to students like me who are looking for ways to work on their writing. Thanks for these tips. I always try to remember to cut out ‘fat’ around my message – excess words that do not really add to the sentence. It’s painful at first, but I can notice the improvement after. Remembering these tips can really help writers stand out, as you have described. Thanks again!

October 28, 2010 at 2:14 pm

These tips go right along with our firm’s motto: “Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Thanks for the reminder.

Maureen Dudley of Dudley & Nunez Communications

November 11, 2010 at 11:39 am

Amazing tips that will give readers a more entertaining copy to read.

November 11, 2010 at 12:10 pm

Good tips. Now if I could just get my clients to read this and follow your advice. Keep it simple and edit, edit, edit. Well written. Thanks for the post!

November 13, 2010 at 3:21 am

Even though I know a lot of this stuff intuitively, I feel it’s really helpful to see it listed so clearly. This is a great article.

November 29, 2010 at 10:39 am

The overwriting part is helpful. I really like this blog. Excuse me I d@#$mn like this blog.

December 10, 2010 at 10:05 pm

I was taught English as a second language. And now I’m excising my writing skills working as an copywriter. These tips are really helpful. 🙂

March 1, 2011 at 10:11 am

That’s a great list. A useful read for anybody who wishes to write well!

April 16, 2011 at 10:20 pm

Dean, I am agree with all of your views. As non-native speaker, we sometimes tend to use some complex, unusual and metaphoric words to make our writing (so-called) standard…But simplicity is the most powerful way in every step of our life… A must-read post… Thanks!

April 23, 2011 at 4:03 pm

I’ve added a couple counter-points to earlier comments. Now I’d like to suggest a #12. Shoot it down if you can.

Of those portions of the world who speak English, many of them speak it only as a second tongue, a language of necessity. It has to do with English speaking people having money and guns and a willingness to use one whenever the other fails to achieve the desired results. Those who read your material in their native language will bring a sense of gratitude and pride to the reading. This can result in sales that would have otherwise been missed.

So, here’s the proposed rule:

Even if you also post in English, do not neglect to post in your native tongue.

April 26, 2011 at 6:09 am

I’ve always found that less is often more. Simple words, short sentences will keep the readers coming back. These are great tips 🙂

April 26, 2011 at 10:40 am

Keep it short. It’s much harder to write a little than a lot. Editing may be harder than writing. Read my blog, The Pragmatic Marketer for insights and tips.

April 27, 2011 at 2:11 am

Excellent tips to be mindful of. Sometimes I tend to write sentences too long. I can see the gist of writing small sentences. Choice.

May 14, 2011 at 10:12 am

I find your advice useful. The article itself followed the rules you outlined. Good articles don’t need to take forever to read.

May 17, 2011 at 4:11 pm

Some fantastic tips in this article especially the passive voice , this is a mistake I always make in writing ,Thank you for sharing.

June 6, 2011 at 9:58 pm

Amazing article, and the Tips are just so juicy and easy to understand.

Thank You very much!

July 26, 2011 at 5:03 pm

Fun fact of the day: ‘utilize’ doesn’t even mean ‘use.’ It means to use in a novel way. If you put cereal in a bowl, you’re not utilizing it. If you put the bowl on your head to use as a guide for cutting hair, you’re probably also not utilizing it – lots of people have done that before. If you put the bowl on your head and then dangle a chain from your ear and pretend to be a lamp, while someone takes a picture, maybe then you’re utilizing the bowl.

So – 90% of the time, if you’re using the word ‘utilize,’ you probably shouldn’t be.

Also – notice the single quotes around the words? Double quotes are for quotations, not emphasis. And, yeah, bold would be better still. Oh, gee! Look at the time!

I feel better now. 🙂

August 21, 2011 at 7:13 pm

I think it all depends on context, though. IMHO, big words can make you seem smarter, if you slip them in amidst a bunch of smaller ones. It’s overkill that murders your prose. Not the use of big words.

Anyway, thanks for this great article. Brevity is not my strong point. I like long sentences. A lot. I have to resist the urge to use them quite often. I fail more often than not, however, and that’s why I must humbly thank you for this perfect article on the subject. Maybe this time the advice will go to heart.

Probably not.

Have a great day, and happy writing!

September 20, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Simplicity is complicated.

October 28, 2011 at 1:39 am

A great post………… important thing is to apply it!

December 5, 2011 at 5:54 am

Rightly said all well put together,Great post.

December 13, 2011 at 12:42 pm

This was overall a very informative article, but I must disagree with you over the title of that study you cited. I believe the authors were using a little tongue-in-cheek humor to further emphasize what they found in their study – I’m surprised you didn’t pick up on that.

December 15, 2011 at 4:53 pm

I should have read this before I started writing and blogging. Now i know exactly what to do and forget about high sounding words that always make me freak out before I even go half way of my articles. I thought and many people think too that using big words is the way to effective writing. Thank you for a very informative article that writers could use to improve their writing.

February 13, 2012 at 5:47 am

I have always used simple words in my copy. But at times you risk being labelled as someone with a limited vocabulary. Cannot help but use some big words to make the seemingly mundane copy better.

February 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm

My argument has always been that even if you can understand all those big words, do you want to wade through them? Especially if you’re working to understand the message itself or follow some instructions. Simple writing is easiest to read and distracts less from the message so it’s great to see these tips available for people wanting to improve their writing.

May 2, 2012 at 11:54 am

Okay, time for a difference of opinion. I don’t agree with this article one-hundred percent. While it’s true that there are good books that are straight to the point, what’s wrong with novels with big words and loads of description? I ask you all to truly think about this. You say we should all use smaller words, less complex words. Well then, why even have those big words in the dictionary if no one uses them? We might as well make our dictionaries simpler if our vocabularies are going to be so. But in the process, I feel, something terrible happens, our lives become a little less rich. So what if novel makes use of big words? Reading words I’m unfamiliar with has done no harm to me, but encouraged me to look through a dictionary to find their meanings. This in turn has enlivened my vocabulary and made my life all the more richer and fulfilling. We should have the intelligence to learn new words, the mental comprehension to do so.

Next issue I have with this article, the need to always write short sentences and never to ramble. Again, why? Some of the greatest literature is incredibly wordy. Let’s take a look at Moby Dick. It rambles on and on. Some people hate, I admit it. But I found the book to be thought-provoking in it’s wordiness. The same goes for Great Expectations. These books, though wordy, allow to really reflect inner-thoughts in a way I have found very meaningful. Books with loads of description, like Lord of the Rings, with tons of sentences, going into detail descriptions on the lands alone, allow me immerse myself in the fantasy land that Tolkien has created, something I find fantasy books with shorter descriptions have not allowed me to do so. There is a poetry to some of these long-winded novels, a beauty.

As I said before, straight to the point novels with little description and smaller words are not bad novels. They can be very good novels. But wanting every novel to be written like that smacks of something the fast food generation wants, something called instant gratification. They want results now, they want their food now. Sometimes I wonder if there is a correlation to the fast food generation to people wanting their novels always simple and straight to the point. To say that novels should only be written one way, which this article seems to be saying, is a disservice to literature and it’s many diverse writers. I ask you all to think it over.

May 2, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Fair enough, Jonathan, except the article isn’t about writing novels — it’s about writing content in service to a business.

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How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays

• Paul Dickerson - University of Roehampton, UK
• Description

“This book is one I wish I had bought at the start of my Psychology degree.” – Five-star review Essay writing is a key part of the Psychology degree and knowing how to write effective and compelling academic essays is key to success.  Whether it's understanding how to implement feedback you receive on essays, how to stop procrastinating or what makes an effective introduction, this book covers it all. Drawing on insights derived from teaching thousands of students over a 25-year period How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays provides the keys that will unlock your writing potential.

Ace your Assignment  provide practical tips to help succeed

Exercises  help try the theory out in practice

Take away  points highlight the key learnings from each chapter

Online resources  provide even more help and guidance.

Supplements

Paul Dickerson, Emma McDonald and Christian van Nieuwerburgh discuss  study skills, wellbeing and employability  and explore   how university lecturers and student welfare teams can better  support Psychology students  through their university journey.

Students enjoyed this text - they found it easy to read and the author's dry sense of humour appealed to many. Not just for psychologists!

A really useful guide for students, breaking down the components of what constitutes a good essay and written from a subject-specific view - highly recommend

I have recommended this to my first year tutorial groups as it provides them with everything they need to know about producing an excellent psychology essay.

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How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays

• Paul Dickerson - University of Roehampton, UK
• Description

“This book is one I wish I had bought at the start of my Psychology degree.” – Five-star review Essay writing is a key part of the Psychology degree and knowing how to write effective and compelling academic essays is key to success.  Whether it's understanding how to implement feedback you receive on essays, how to stop procrastinating or what makes an effective introduction, this book covers it all. Drawing on insights derived from teaching thousands of students over a 25-year period How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays provides the keys that will unlock your writing potential.

Ace your Assignment  provide practical tips to help succeed

Exercises  help try the theory out in practice

Take away  points highlight the key learnings from each chapter

Online resources  provide even more help and guidance.

Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email  [email protected] . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to  http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html .

We hope you'll consider this SAGE text. Email us at  [email protected] , or click here to find your  SAGE rep .

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Supplements

Paul Dickerson, Emma McDonald and Christian van Nieuwerburgh discuss  study skills, wellbeing and employability  and explore   how university lecturers and student welfare teams can better  support Psychology students  through their university journey.

Students enjoyed this text - they found it easy to read and the author's dry sense of humour appealed to many. Not just for psychologists!

A really useful guide for students, breaking down the components of what constitutes a good essay and written from a subject-specific view - highly recommend

I have recommended this to my first year tutorial groups as it provides them with everything they need to know about producing an excellent psychology essay.

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How to write a narrative essay to score top marks

With a Juris Bachelor's degree and a decade of legal practice, Darious Davson excels in creating compelling and authoritative academic papers in Law and Ethics. His work is a testament to his profound knowledge of the legal system and commitment to upholding ethical writing practices. So, this experienced paper writer is your top-tier pick!

How to write a narrative essay? This task has never been an easy task for students. The fact is that it requires showing off your experiences, life-changing moments, and outstanding events that had an impact on your personality. So, what is the main challenge of a narrative essay, and how to write it? 

First, it is difficult to determine the moment you want to describe. Second, the writing process itself requires excellent skills and the ability to convey facts excitingly. Moreover, you need to understand the requirements and choose a suitable format. And all this is just the top of a glacier! 

However, there is good news. I’m here to help! So, get ready to find the answers to the crucial questions about effective writing right here.

Let’s begin with identifying the core features of personal narratives. What do most successful academic papers have in common? 

• First-person perspective: The key feature of this type of paper is that it must be written in the first person. You need to write about yourself, not your favorite artists or teachers. 
• Engaging opening: Your essay must grab the readers' attention from its first lines. 
• Detailed descriptions: Each sentence matters. Don’t be afraid to add bright descriptions of the environment, mood, and other aspects that make your story unique. 
• Emotional resonance: Your essay should touch the hearts of the readers. Avoid composing a long monologue with a list of simple facts. 
• Clear goal: According to the narrative format rules, your paper must not be a biography or a story without a clear purpose. Make sure it has an easily recognizable goal. 

Logical organization: Looking at most narrative essay examples, you will notice that they all have a logical flow.

When writing a narrative essay, you must follow the main rules of completing this academic assignment. To make your job easier, I developed this guide to cover all the questions and blind spots most students usually face. So, it’s high time to discover all the critical aspects of crafting an excellent paper.

What is a narrative essay: defining the concept

Before you jump into writing and exploring the main rules for this tricky academic paper, it is necessary to have a closer look at the basics. So, what is a narrative essay? The main thing you need to know about it is that it must be a unique story from the writer’s viewpoint. As a rule, it covers topics related to your experiences, events, and memories. However, your writing shouldn’t be a monotonous bunch of facts. Make sure to describe facts easily, interestingly, and engagingly.

Unlike other types of academic papers, a personal narrative puts storytelling first. You can also use the following elements to make your story catchier:

• Diverse descriptions; 
• Chronological order.

Grasping the Fundamentals of Narrative Essays

You can effortlessly find many narrative essay examples online. However, you need to know that college and high school papers of this kind usually have some differences. Moreover, each one usually has a long list of requirements and unique features. Here is a list of what you should take into account when exploring the needs of narrative writing:

• Essay structure;
• Paper length;
• Style of writing;
• Rules for creating a thesis statement;
• Requirements for the introduction;
• Requirements for the body paragraphs;
• Requirements for the conclusion.

Even experienced students often feel lost when facing this type of academic assignment. What is more, this challenge makes them ask one crucial question: “Is there anyone who can write my essay for me?”. This issue disturbs even the most talented and skilled students. Fortunately, there are professional writing services that are always ready to help. But if you still want to complete your assignment yourself, it’s time to choose a topic!  

Top narrative essay topics for academic success

There are hundreds of narrative essay topics available online. Still, I highly recommend you develop your own. Feel free to use the tips below to identify your only idea. 

• Think of your experiences: This prompt might sound obvious. However, many students often start by looking for ideas online or asking artificial intelligence platforms to generate a list of possible solutions. But what about diving into your own memories?
• Find out particular lessons: You surely have a particular experience that shaped your character. What about telling about it in your personal narrative?
• Don’t think only about yourself: Your audience matters, too! Select an intriguing and relevant topic that will not make your readers yawn.
• Make a list: Sometimes, you might invent a few personal narrative topics that look good. Write all your ideas down. The reason is that a chosen idea might suddenly turn out to be unsuitable when you start writing. For this case, you need a plan B (or even plan C). 
• Choose an uncommon angle: If you select a common topic, you must find a unique approach to describe it. Try to add some fresh ideas to your storytelling. 
• Test: If you can’t choose a topic between several alternatives, try to compare them. You can also draw a small draft for each to define narrative writing that will likely suit all your requirements and expectations. 
• Listen to your gut: Intuition works not only to teach important life lessons. It might help you with choosing a good topic, too. 

Narrative essay examples

You may use dozens of literacy narrative topics and other solutions for your paper. Here is a list of some ideas for you:

• A Moment of Courage: Overcoming a Fear That Changed My Life
• Lost and Found: A Journey of Self-Discovery during Travel
• The Day Everything Changed: A Personal Reflection on a Major Life Event
• Lessons from Failure: How Setbacks Have Shaped My Character
• An Unforgettable Friendship: The Story of a Lifelong Bond
• From Dream to Reality: Pursuing a Passion against All Odds
• The Power of Forgiveness: Healing Wounds and Moving Forward

Crafting an excellent narrative essay structure 

After you’ve decided on a topic, it’s time to build a skeleton for your essay. Learners often have issues when creating their first narrative essay structure. Still, if you understand the basic elements of your paper, you will get almost half of the job done:

• Plot: It is a sequence of events that organically come one after another in your story. Avoid jumping between facts from different parts of your paper.  
• Characters: Of course, you must be your story’s protagonist. However, don’t focus only on your personality. There should be other people, too.
• Setting: This is a description of the environment where your story takes place. Pay more attention to this part, as it can spice up your narration. 
• Dialogs: Double-check whether all the dialogues add value to your personal narrative and are realistic. 
• Climax: This is the heart of your story. It is better to describe it with the highest tension and feature-rich facts.
• Final: This is the resolution of your story. After you’ve reached a final thought, you can add a brief summary and end your paper.

Narrative essay outline: top prompts

Now that you know your paper's critical elements, it’s time for a narrative essay outline. As a rule, it must have a chronological order and traditional essay structure:

Introduction

• Hook: Similar to many other academic papers, your narrative should have a hook and a good-looking opening sentence. Make sure your intro attracts attention and doesn’t look obvious or boring. A good introduction is one of the keys to receiving an excellent grade for your assignment. 
• Background: Here, you are expected to describe some settings, characters, and minor details to allow the readers to imagine your story better.
• Thesis statement: Your thesis statement must briefly describe the main goal of your narrative writing. 
• Flow of events: Your paragraphs should be organized and chronological. Always follow your story’s timeline. 
• Dialogs: Although the traditional narrative essay format doesn’t require using dialogs, most students add them to their papers. This approach allows them to describe all the events and characters much easier. 
• Reflection: Remember that your essay must demonstrate your feelings and emotions. 
• Summary: Almost any academic paper requires a short and powerful summary. Personal narratives are not an exception to this rule.
• Reflective end-up: Use your closing to connect with the thesis.
• Impression: Try to leave an impression on the readers and make them think about your paper a few moments after you’ve finished it. 

Types of narratives: learning from examples

There are several types of narratives you need to distinguish:  

• Personal: Focuses on a specific experience or event. It usually shares insights or lessons learned.
• Descriptive: This one usually describes a scene or event with the help of diverse sensory details.
• Autobiographical: This solution recounts the author's life story and highlights milestones, challenges, and achievements.
• Travel: Documents the author's experiences and observations during traveling.
• Historical: This narrative writing recounts significant historical events or periods from a personal perspective, blending historical facts with reflections.
• Literary: Explores themes, characters, and motifs of a literary work or genre, offering personal interpretation.
• Ethnographic: Draws on the author's observations within a cultural or social context, offering insights into individuals or communities.

The narrative essay definition for high school students is not difficult. Moreover, it’s the same for all learners. However, you are expected to tell a story about the most important lessons in your life and share something meaningful for you. It shouldn’t be only funny or entertaining. You may also describe how you’ve made mature choices and the right decisions (regardless of how tough they were.)

If you google “define narrative essay for college students,” you will find out that it is developed to demonstrate your best qualities through the description of a particular life event. Don’t hesitate to put your creativity into practice and use unique writing approaches. A few things most professors value in this type of academic paper created by college learners:

• Your ability to be flexible and adapt to drastically changing life situations;
• Your creative problem-solving skills;
• Your ability to take lessons from the mistakes you’ve made.

How to write a narrative essay: tips to achieve top marks 

• Choose a compelling topic: What is the purpose of narrative writing? Make sure you find the answer and then select a meaningful topic.
• Create a strong thesis: Develop a clear thesis statement that conveys your narrative's main message or lesson.
• Use vivid descriptions: Engage the reader by incorporating sensory details and descriptive language to picture the events and characters vividly.
• Establish a clear structure: When writing a narrative essay, organize it chronologically. Develop a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Maintain a consistent point of view: Stick to a consistent narrative perspective throughout the essay.
• Include dialogue: Dialogs can bring your characters to life and add authenticity to your narrative.
• Show, don't tell: Instead of simply stating events, you must show them through actions, emotions, and sensory experiences.
• Reflect on significance: Reflect on the event's significance and share insights when writing a narrative essay.
• Edit and revise: Don’t forget to revise your essay for clarity, coherence, and impact.
• Seek feedback: Get feedback from peers, instructors, or mentors to improve your narrative.

Many students report serious difficulties with completing a narrative academic assignment. Can I pay someone to write my paper? Hundreds of learners often ask this question. And the answer is “Yes!” In this case, you will get a perfectly written, proofread, and original paper crafted according to all your requirements.

But what if you decide to write on your own? This way, the best answer to how to write a narrative essay is to understand its core concepts and strictly follow your professor’s guidelines.

FAQs on writing brilliant narrative essays

How can i make my narrative essay stand out from others.

Many narrative essay ideas can be found online. However, to stand out, it is better to find a unique topic for your assignment. 

What are common mistakes most students make in narrative writing?

The most common mistakes in a personal narrative are failing to follow an essay structure, failing to include a thesis statement, and sharing too many diverse facts. 

How can I revise my narrative essay?

You must review your paper for clarity, consistency, and coherence, edit grammar and mechanics, enhance descriptive language, trim unnecessary details, check a narrative format, ensure a strong conclusion, and conduct a final proofread.

Should I use dialogues in a narrative essay?

This rule is not 100% obligatory. However, if you search for successful narrative essay examples online, you will discover that almost all have dialogs. 

What are the best ways to improve the essay’s flow?

Use a chronological order and a strict timeline when polishing your academic paper. 

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50+ Geology Research Topics and Title Ideas

Table of Contents

Pursuing a Geology course is quite interesting since you get to research more about the Earth, its structure and its surroundings. It is a unique subject discipline comprising numerous Geology research topics. 

However, you must compose impeccable papers that demonstrate your understanding of different geology concepts. However, you might encounter challenges when it comes to topic selection because you need to pick catchy and relevant geology research topics in order to produce great papers.

To simplify your task, we have listed interesting geology topics to help you choose the best for your research paper .

How to Select the Best Geology Research Paper Topic ?

Topic selection is an important phase in academic writing. You must choose appropriate geology topics to write about that align with the research purpose and academic level. Thus, ensure you brainstorm properly to identify Geology research topics with adequate research content. 

Avoid choosing geology research topics that are too broad or too narrow in terms of research information. To make your paper more interactive, select one that you are passionate about. 

If you need help choosing the best geology research topics , you can follow the tips below to guide you during the process. 

• Conduct a brainstorming session and familiarize yourself with the Geology research topics.
• Understand the research question and scope of the study. 
• Gather enough data or evidence to support your geology research topics . 
• Explore reliable information sources and available ideas about the Geology research topics. 

Many learners choose geology topics without following the due process, compromising the entire research process. Therefore, take your time to select relevant Geology topics that capture the essence of your research purpose. 

List of Geology Research Topics

We have compiled interesting geology research topics to help you select an ideal title and inspire your writing.

Environmental Geology Research Topics

Here are some useful geology research paper topics to motivate your writing:

• Discuss the effects of climate change on the environment. 
• What is mineral formation in Geology?
• An analysis of crude oil extraction on the land surface. 
• The impact of faulting on the surface of the Earth.
• An analysis of different rocks.
• A comprehensive analysis of beach formation.
• Does Geology impact human development?
• Discuss the effects of global warming. 
• How humans influence desertification. 
• An analysis of evolution theories in Geology. 

Undergraduate Geology Research Topics

The following are helpful geology research paper topics you can use in your essay:

• What are the effects of volcanic eruption?
• Discuss the importance of preserving wildlife. 
• An analysis of tectonic plate theory. 
• The effects of seismic waves on the environment.
• An analysis of the Earth’s biosphere.
• Nuclear power: Discuss the long-term effects. 
• Benefits and drawbacks of hydroelectricity. 
• What is stellar evolution in Geology? 
• An evaluation of the glaciation process. 
• Discuss the continental drift theory. 

Broad Geology Research Topics

Check out captivating geology research paper topics to inspire your writing:

• A comprehensive analysis of mineral springs. 
• Discuss the impact of magnetic patterns on the seafloor. 
• What is continental drift theory?
• Discuss the importance of soil weathering. 
• An in-depth analysis of the Earth’s structure. 
• How earthquakes influence the formation of lakes. 
• Discuss the relationship between volcanoes and wildfires. 
• Effective ways of evaluating marine evolution.
• Discuss the impact of deep-sea mining.
• What is the pacific ring of fire? 

Earth Science Geology Research Paper Topics

Below are some of the best geology research topics:

• Discuss the impact of acid rain on human development.
• A comprehensive analysis of weather prediction and meteorology. 
• A case study of harvesting energy. 
• Discuss the major environmental disasters in modern society.
• Evaluating the link between earthquakes and tsunamis.
• The influence of greenhouse gases in Agriculture.
• Case studies of eco-terrorism.
• Discuss the impact of overgrazing on the environment.
• An analysis of the potential and limitations of hydroelectricity. 
• A comprehensive analysis of Geo-informatics. 

Solar System Geology Research Paper Topics

Here are interesting geology research topics about the solar system:

• Analyze the significance of the sun in the solar system. 
• An analysis of planet Mercury: Lunar craters formation.
• What is the difference between dwarf planets and terrestrial planets?
• How does gravitational force impact the solar system?
• The effects of radioactive decay on the Earth’s geology.
• Discuss the importance of semi-liquid mantels and solid crusts in the solar system.
• Analyze the effects of the moon on the Earth’s surface. 
• Discuss the influence of volcanism on the solar system.
• Planetary science: an evaluation of shock wave data.
• Discuss the evolution of solar system bodies.

Are you still unsure of how to choose the best geology research topics ? Don’t panic; relax and peruse the lists of unique research topics in geology to nudge your creative mind. If you need further writing assistance, you can delegate the complex geology research topics to us. Our competent research paper writers are willing to provide expert assistance to needy students. Whether you need to pick geology research topics or need help with the entire essay, allow us to help you beat your deadlines with ease, and you will earn top scores without a doubt. Expect flawless research papers with interesting geology topics that will elevate your academic performance to the next level.

Contact us at any time for top-notch geology research topics or pay for essay writing help to our pros, and enjoy a rewarding college experience.

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