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A (Very) Simple Way to Improve Your Writing

  • Mark Rennella

essay writing how to improve english

It’s called the “one-idea rule” — and any level of writer can use it.

The “one idea” rule is a simple concept that can help you sharpen your writing, persuade others by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. What exactly does the rule say?

  • Every component of a successful piece of writing should express only one idea.
  • In persuasive writing, your “one idea” is often the argument or belief you are presenting to the reader. Once you identify what that argument is, the “one-idea rule” can help you develop, revise, and connect the various components of your writing.
  • For instance, let’s say you’re writing an essay. There are three components you will be working with throughout your piece: the title, the paragraphs, and the sentences.
  • Each of these parts should be dedicated to just one idea. The ideas are not identical, of course, but they’re all related. If done correctly, the smaller ideas (in sentences) all build (in paragraphs) to support the main point (suggested in the title).

Most advice about writing looks like a long laundry list of “do’s and don’ts.” These lists can be helpful from time to time, but they’re hard to remember … and, therefore, hard to depend on when you’re having trouble putting your thoughts to paper. During my time in academia, teaching composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels, I saw many people struggle with this.

essay writing how to improve english

  • MR Mark Rennella is Associate Editor at HBP and has published two books, Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Leaders and The Boston Cosmopolitans .  

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Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips | Complete Guide For a High Score

Are you looking to improve your essay writing skills and achieve a high score on your next English essay? In this post, we will explore the best essay writing tips and cover different essay types, the essay structure, an essay outline and much more to help you succeed on an upcoming English essay. These 10 tips are perfect for school, college or university essays, as well as English exams like IELTS, PTE and TOEFL. We have included some helpful resources including a companion pdf that has a sample English essay and a few essay prompts. Every great English essay is improved with feedback so visit E2testprep.com and sign up for free to access expert feedback from our experienced teachers. 

1: Understand How to Answer the Essay Prompt

2: follow the correct essay structure, 3: plan your english essay, 4: explain your reasons, 5: use synonyms in you english essay, 6: paraphrase, don’t copy, 7: vary your sentence structure , 8: use linking words, 9: proofread out loud, 10: seek feedback, more help with english essay writing.

  • Start Now. It’s Free ✌️

  Watch our video below to see an in-depth explanation of the Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips.

In order to successfully write an essay, it is important that we fulfil the essay requirement by understanding the essay prompt and what it’s asking of us. We need to begin by identifying what type of essay the question is calling us to write. Here are three different essay types that are commonly used:

  • Opinion essays
  • Problem/solution essays 
  • Advantages/disadvantages essays

Here are possible questions to look out for to help you identify these three different essay types, and the requirements to fulfil for each.

Opinion Essays: Possible Questions and Requirements

In our sample English essay provided here , the essay prompt asks: In the past, almost all office workers did their job in their company’s offices five days a week. Nowadays, however, many employers allow more flexible work arrangements, and employees often choose to work from home a few days per week. What are the advantages and disadvantages of employees working from home?

This is a discussion essay where we can outline the disadvantages and advantages of the topic.

The essay structure shown below is simple, but extremely effective at presenting your ideas in a clear and organised way. It is important to use this format so it makes it easy for your teacher or assessor, whoever is marking your essay, to follow your ideas. You need to follow this structure:

Simple Outline of Essay Structure: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion

In your introduction, you simply tell the reader what the essay is about. In your body paragraphs, you should present your arguments, and then support your arguments. This is where you show evidence through the use of examples and also explain your reasons in detail. In your conclusion, you summarise what was said in the essay.

A simple and clear plan is very important to making sure your ideas are well-organised and easy to follow for when you write the actual essay. Below you will see a plan for the main body of a sample English essay . There are two advantages and two disadvantages outlined, each with a supporting reason.

Essay Outline for a Sample Advantages/Disadvantages Essay about Working From Home

Taking a few moments to plan can be the difference between a good essay and an excellent, well-organised one. Teachers can easily pick up on unplanned essays. Students who decide to jump straight into writing without creating an essay outline first will often go off-topic during their essays. Sometimes the ideas are randomly inserted in certain places, resulting in a disorganised and low-scoring essay. The writing may leave assessors confused and looking for your arguments and reasons. 

Don’t make this mistake, and get into the habit of planning, even if it’s just a few quick bullet points.

Explaining your reasons gives your writing more support. It is important that you provide proof through the use of evidence and examples to support your ideas or arguments. Without any explanations, not only will your ideas lack strength, but your paragraphs will also be too short. 

Referring back to our sample English essay , we can see a well-explained example below. 

Examples of Reasons Explained in a Paragraph Outlining Disadvantages of Work-From-Home

In the image above, the phrase ‘For instance’ introduces an example. In this case, it is an example of how an employee can struggle to separate their office and home life, including knowing when to stop working and take a break. Then, we can see the writer provides an explanation by including the phrase, ‘This could lead to’ and then describing the effects and consequences of the previously mentioned example. 

Explaining reasons with evidence and examples can be the hardest part of writing for some as it forces us to extend our ideas. Start with an example, and then reflect on the possible upsides or downsides of it. Ask yourself ‘What are the effects or results of this example or evidence I’m giving?’ which should then help to form your explanation.

When you are writing any type of essay, there will always be a set of keywords or phrases that get repeated throughout your writing because they are linked with your topic. Using synonyms, or different words that say the same thing, allows us to avoid sounding repetitive, which can often make our essay seem boring. Using synonyms is a quick and easy way to improve your writing. 

In our sample English essay , the idea of ‘working from home’ was used a lot. Here are some synonyms we included throughout our essay for this idea: ‘work flexibly’, ‘remote work’, ‘flexible work arrangements’ and even rephrasing the idea as ‘this change in work culture’. Using synonyms creates variety in our writing and improves the range of our vocabulary, which can easily help you to score higher on an essay. 

If you need to, you can use a thesaurus to find synonyms for words. Just make sure the synonyms still sound natural.

Depending on your essay topic, you may need to include research, or facts found through research on the internet. In any type of essay, it would not be acceptable to copy phrases or sentences, word for word. If you struggle with paraphrasing, we recommend that you start with synonyms first so you can build on the skill of replacing words and then slowly move into rephrasing and rewording entire phrases, sentences and then sections of text.  A great place to start is paraphrasing the essay prompt in your essay introduction. You need to be able to write it in your own words so you can show how well you can use language. In the image below, we can see how the essay prompt from our sample English essay has been paraphrased to create an interesting essay introduction.

Paraphrasing an Essay Prompt about Work-From-Home into an Introduction

Paraphrasing might seem like a difficult skill to master at first, but with practice, it will become much easier.

To demonstrate your essay writing skills, it is important to include a wide range of sentence structures, including simple, compound and complex sentences. Using these sentence types will not only show off your skills and knowledge, but also prevent the text from sounding boring. 

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can be a sentence on its own.

You can see an example of a simple sentence from our sample English essay below. Notice how this example broke up a group of longer sentences and created a sense of impact.

Another upside to working from home is the career opportunities it offers. People can now work for companies in other places. This means they can live anywhere and still do their job well. It also means they can apply for better jobs that might not be close to home.

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses, joined by a conjunction such as ‘and’ or ‘but’. Below is a compound sentence from our sample English essay.

I think workers should be allowed to work from home, but only for up to two days a week.

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause, which cannot be a sentence on its own. This type of sentence demonstrates a higher level of complexity.

Without being away from home all day, employees can better manage their work and personal commitments.

To vary your sentence structure even further, you can swap the order around with some complex sentences by putting the dependent clause at the beginning or putting it at the end. The sentence still makes sense, even if it’s reordered, which can help if you keep repeating the same sentence structures.  

It is also important where you use different sentence types. Too many complex sentences in a row can be hard to follow. Too many simple sentences can make it feel like your ideas are not connected. On the other hand, shorter sentences can help to break up a group of longer sentences.

Using linking words is an easy and effective way to make your writing sound more like an essay. They help create structure and flow so that your reader can clearly follow your ideas. Linking words show the connections between ideas and paragraphs and also increase clarity in your essay, so that everything reads smoothly. Usually we use them at the beginning of sentences. 

Let’s look at three examples of linking words found in our sample English essay . 

Consequently, this means many people can work from home for a few days each week.

The linking word, ‘consequently’, shows a cause and effect relationship between statements.

On the other hand, remote work is not only socially isolating, but less teamwork could mean that the company won’t do as well.

‘On the other hand’ shows contrast when you’re introducing a different or opposing idea.

In conclusion, having the choice to work from home has changed the traditional work style.

‘In conclusion’ tells you that the ideas are about to be summarised and concluded. 

There are many different types of linking words. Some linking words are used to show cause and effect, others for examples, while some can be used to show the sequence of ideas.

Everyone knows that they should revise their writing at the end, but often this step can get overlooked when you are rushing to finish off an English essay. It is understandable. You have just planned and written an entire essay, while having to think about synonyms and transition words and sentence structure and everything in between. Going back over your work thoroughly can save you from losing marks. The best way to do this is to proofread your writing out loud.

When just quickly glancing over your writing with your eyes, it is easy to miss some of the careless mistakes that have been made, especially if you are rushing to complete an essay that has a time limit. However, if you take some time to proofread aloud, you can start to pick up on things that sound incorrect.  We recommend that you read every piece of writing out loud, so you can easily listen for mistakes. Try it next time you write an essay.

As you practise your essay writing skills, it is important to ask people around you for feedback on how to improve. Of course, having teachers look over your writing will be the most constructive for your skill development. However, it is always great to have your classmates, family members and even friends read your writing. Having a fresh set of eyes can help to catch errors but also provide valuable feedback on your writing. 

As always, if you are looking for expert feedback, especially for a high stakes English exam, be sure to sign up to E2testprep.com . Our experienced teachers and ex-examiners can help you to improve your writing!

Need more help with your English essay writing? We have you covered! For help with general English essay writing, head to E2testprep.com and sign up for free. You can access method lessons, practice items, live classes with expert teachers and more. We have everything you need to help you quickly achieve success on your next high stakes essay. 

essay writing how to improve english

Author Bio: E2 is the world’s leading test preparation provider. Our expert teachers are fully accredited English teachers, with TESOL, British Council or other relevant certification, and years of examiner or teaching experience.

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13 Ways to Quickly Improve Your Academic Essay Writing Skills

#scribendiinc

Written by  Scribendi

Anyone can learn to produce an academic essay if they begin with a few basic essay-writing rules. 

An academic essay must be based upon a solid but debatable thesis, supported by relevant and credible evidence, and closed with a succinct and thorough conclusion.

By adhering to the best way to write an essay, you can create valuable, persuasive papers even when you're under a time crunch!

What Makes a Good Essay?

As previously noted, the foundation of any good academic essay is its thesis statement. 

Do not confuse your thesis with your opening sentence. There are many good ways to start an essay , but few essays immediately present their main ideas.

After you draft your thesis, you can begin to develop your essay around it. This development will include the main supporting points of your essay, which will scaffold its main body. 

Essays also typically include a relevant and compelling introduction and conclusion.

Learn How to Write a Great Thesis Statement .

Good Ways to Start an Essay

Understanding How to Write a Good Essay

When writing an academic essay, you must take a number of qualities and characteristics into careful consideration. Focus, development, unity, coherence, and correctness all play critical roles when it comes to distinguishing an exceptional essay from one that is less than perfect.

The following essay-writing tips can help writers organize, format, and support their essays in ways that fit their intended purpose and optimize their overall persuasiveness. Here are 13 essay tips for developing and writing your next academic paper.

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

While untrained writers might just sit down and start typing, educated and experienced writers know that there are many steps to writing an essay.

In short, you should know what you want to say before you type a single word. The easiest way to narrow down a thesis and create a proper argument is to make a basic outline before you begin composing your essay.

Your outline should consist of rough notes that sketch out your introduction (including your thesis), the body of your essay (which should include separate paragraphs that present your main supporting points with plenty of evidence and examples), and your conclusion (which ties everything together and connects the argument back to your thesis).

2. Acquire a Solid Understanding of Basic Grammar, Punctuation, and Style

Before getting into more refined essay-writing techniques, you must have a solid grasp of grammar, punctuation, and style. Without these writing fundamentals, it will be difficult to communicate your ideas effectively and ensure that they are taken seriously.

Grammar basics include subject and verb agreement, correct article and pronoun use, and well-formed sentence structures. Make sure you know the proper uses for the most common forms of punctuation. Be mindful of your comma usage and know when a period is needed.

Finally, voice is tremendously important in academic essay writing. Employ language that is as concise as possible. Avoid transition words that don't add anything to the sentence and unnecessary wordiness that detracts from your argument.

Furthermore, use the active voice instead of the passive whenever possible (e.g., "this study found" instead of "it was found by this study"). This will make your essay's tone clear and direct.

3. Use the Right Vocabulary and Know What the Words You Are Using Actually Mean

How you use language is important, especially in academic essay writing. When writing an academic essay, remember that you are persuading others that you are an expert who argues intelligently about your topic.

Using big words just to sound smart often results in the opposite effect—it is easy to detect when someone is overcompensating in their writing.

If you aren't sure of the exact meaning of a word, you risk using it incorrectly. There's no shame in checking, and it might save you from an embarrassing word misuse later!

Using obscure language can also detract from the clarity of your argument—you should consider this before pulling out a thesaurus to change a perfectly appropriate word to something completely different.

4. Understand the Argument and Critically Analyze the Evidence

While writing a good essay, your main argument should always be at the front of your mind. While it's tempting to go off on a tangent about an interesting side note, doing so makes your writing less concise.

Always question the evidence you include in your essay; ask yourself, "Does this directly support my thesis?" If the answer is "no," then that evidence should probably be excluded. 

When you are evaluating evidence, be critical and thorough. You want to use the strongest research to back up your thesis. It is not enough to simply present evidence in support of an argument. A good writer must also explain why the evidence is relevant and supportive.

Everything you include should clearly connect to your topic and argument.   

Research Databases

5. Know How to Write a Conclusion That Supports Your Research

One of the most overlooked steps to writing an essay is the conclusion. Your conclusion ties all your research together and proves your thesis. It should not be a restatement of your introduction or a copy-and-paste of your thesis.

A strong conclusion briefly outlines the key evidence discussed in the body of an essay and directly ties it to the thesis to show how the evidence proves or disproves the main argument of your research.

Countless great essays have been written only to be derailed by vague, weakly worded conclusions. Don't let your next essay become one of those.     

6. Build a Solid Thesis to Support Your Arguments

A thesis is the main pillar of an essay. By selecting a specific thesis, you'll be able to develop arguments to support your central opinion. Consider writing about a unique experience or your own particular view of a topic .

Your thesis should be clear and logical, but it should also be debatable. Otherwise, it might be difficult to support it with compelling arguments.

7. Develop an Interesting Opening Paragraph to Hook In Readers from the Get-Go

No matter how you begin your essay, you must strive to capture the reader's interest immediately. If your opening paragraph doesn't catch the eye and engage the brain, any attempt at persuasion may end before the essay even starts. 

The beginning of your essay is crucial for setting the stage for your thesis.

8. Always Remember to Edit and Proofread Your Essay

Any decent writer will tell you that writing is really rewriting. A good academic essay will inevitably go through multiple drafts as it slowly takes shape. When you arrive at a final draft, you must make sure that it is as close to perfect as possible.

This means subjecting your essay to close and comprehensive editing and proofreading processes. In other words, you must read your paper as many times as necessary to eliminate all grammar/punctuation mistakes and typos.

It is helpful to have a third party review your work. Consider consulting a peer or professional editing service. Keep in mind that professional editors are able to help you identify underdeveloped arguments and unnecessarily wordy language, and provide other feedback.

Get Critical Feedback on Your Writing

Hire an expert academic editor , or get a free sample, 9. when developing your essay's main body, build strong and relevant arguments.

Every sentence in the main body of your paper should explain and support your thesis. When deciding how much evidence to include in an academic essay, a good guideline is to include at least three main supporting arguments.

Those main supporting arguments, in turn, require support in the form of relevant facts, figures, examples, analogies, and observations. 

You will need to engage in appropriate research to accomplish this. To organize your research efforts, you may want to develop a list of good research questions . 

10. Choose the Format of Your Essay before Writing It

The final shape that your essay takes depends a great deal on what kind of format you use. Popular college essay format types include the Modern Language Association of America ( MLA ), American Psychological Association ( APA ), and Chicago Manual of Style ( Chicago style).

These formats govern everything from capitalization rules to source citation. Often, professors dictate a specific format for your essay. If they do not, you should choose the format that best suits your field.

11. Create Clear Transitions between Your Ideas

Although unnecessary transition words are the enemy of clarity and concision, they can be invaluable tools when it comes to separating and connecting the different sections of your essay. 

Not only do they help you express your ideas but they also bring a cohesive structure to your sentences and a pleasant flow to your writing. Just be sure that you are using the right transition words for the right purpose and to the proper effect.

12. Always Include an Organized Reference Page at the End of Your Essay

As a key component of MLA, APA, and Chicago Style formatting, the reference or Works Cited page is an essential part of any academic essay.

Regardless of the format used, the reference page must be well organized and easy to read so that your audience can see exactly where your outside information came from. 

To produce a properly formatted reference page, you may have to familiarize yourself with specialized phrases and abbreviations, such as " et al ." 

FAQs

13. Use Inclusive Language

Incorporating inclusive language in your academic writing ensures that your work is respectful and accessible to all readers. Use gender-neutral pronouns like "they/them" and replace gender-specific terms with inclusive alternatives, such as "firefighter" instead of "fireman." 

You can also respect cultural diversity by avoiding stereotypes and generalizations, specifying details like "Japanese, Thai, and Indian cuisine" rather than "Asian cuisine." Engaging with diverse audiences for feedback and staying updated on inclusive language practices will help you continuously improve your writing.

How to Write a Good Hook for an Essay

The key to a good hook is to introduce an unexplored or absorbing line of inquiry in your introduction that addresses the main point of your thesis. 

By carefully choosing your language and slowly revealing details, you can build reader anticipation for what follows. 

Much like an actual worm-baited fishing hook, a successful hook will lure and capture readers, allowing the writer to "reel them in."

How to Get Better at Writing Essays

You can get better at writing essays the same way that you improve at anything else: practice, practice, practice! However, there are a few ways that you can improve your writing quickly so you can turn in a quality academic essay on time.

In addition to following the 13 essay tips and guidelines above, you can familiarize yourself with a few common practices and structures for essay development. 

Great writing techniques for essays include brainstorming and tree diagrams, especially when coming up with a topic for your thesis statement. Becoming familiar with different structures for organizing your essay (order of importance, chronological, etc.) is also extremely helpful.

How to Write a Good Introduction for an Essay

To learn how to write a good essay, you must also learn how to write a good introduction. 

Most effective essay introductions begin with relatively broad and general subject matter and then gradually narrow in focus and scope until they arrive at something extremely specific: the thesis. This is why writers tend to place their thesis statements at the very end of their introductory paragraph(s).

Because they are generally broad and often relate only tangentially to an essay's main point, there is virtually no limit on what the beginning of a good introduction can look like. However, writers still tend to rely on somewhat cliché opening sentences, such as quotations and rhetorical questions.

How to Write a Good Conclusion for an Essay

Briefly put, a good conclusion does two things. It wraps up any loose ends and drives home the main point of your essay. 

To learn how to write a good conclusion, you will want to ensure that no unanswered questions remain in the reader's mind. A good conclusion will restate the thesis and reinforce the essay's main supporting points.

Take Your Essay from Good to Great

About the author.

Scribendi Editing and Proofreading

Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing turn into a great one after the editing process. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained nearly 20 degrees collectively. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

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"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

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The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing

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The Write Practice

100 Writing Practice Lessons & Exercises

by Joe Bunting | 50 comments

Start Your Story TODAY! We’re teaching a new LIVE workshop this week to help you start your next book. Learn more and sign up here.

Want to become a better writer? How much time do you spend on your writing practice? Perhaps you want to write novels, or maybe you just want to get better grades in your essay writing assignments , or maybe you'd like to start a popular blog .

If you want to write better, you need practice. But what does a writing practice actually look like? In this post, I'm going to give you everything you need to kick off your writing practice and become a better writer faster.

100 Top Writing Practice Lessons and Exercises

What Is Writing Practice?

Writing practice is a method of becoming a better writer that usually involves reading lessons about the writing process, using writing prompts, doing creative writing exercises , or finishing writing pieces, like essays, short stories , novels , or books . The best writing practice is deliberate, timed, and involves feedback.

How Do You Practice Writing?

This was the question I had when I first started The Write Practice in 2011. I knew how to practice a sport and how to practice playing an instrument. But for some reason, even after studying it in college, I wasn't sure how to practice writing.

I set out to create the best writing practice I could. The Write Practice is the result.

I found that the best writing practice has three aspects:

Deliberate . Writing whatever you feel like may be cathartic, but it's not an effective way to become a better writer or build your writing skills. You'll get better faster by practicing a specific technique or aspect of the writing process each time you sit down to write.

This is why we have a new lesson about the writing process each day on The Write Practice, followed by a practice prompt at the end so you can put what you learned to use immediately.

Timed . It's no secret writers struggle with focus. There are just too many interesting distractions—Facebook, email, Kim Kardashian's Instagram feed (just kidding about that last one, sort of)—and writing is just too hard sometimes.

Setting a timer, even for just fifteen minutes, is an easy and effective way to stay focused on what's important.

This is why in our writing practice prompt at the end of each post we have a time limit, usually with a link to an online tool egg timer , so you can focus on deliberate practice without getting distracted.

Feedback . Getting feedback is one of the requirements to deliberately practice writing or any other craft. Feedback can look like listening to the reactions of your readers or asking for constructive criticism from editors and other writers.

This is why we ask you to post your writing practice after each lesson, so that you can get feedback from other writers in The Write Practice community. It's also why we set up The Write Practice Pro community , to provide critique groups for writers to get feedback on each finished piece of writing.

How to practice writing

Our 100+ Best Creative Writing Practice Exercises and Lessons

Now that you know how we practice writing at The Write Practice, here are our best writing practice lessons to jumpstart your writing skills with some daily writing exercises, for beginner writers to even the most expert writers:

All-Time, Top 10 Writing Lessons and Exercises

These ten posts are our most viewed articles to boost your writing practice:

1. What is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot and How to Use Them . Great stories use similar elements in wildly different ways to build page-turning stories. Click here to read what they are and learn how to start using them !

2. Top 100 Short Story Ideas . Here are over a hundred writing prompts in a variety of genres. If you need ideas for your next story, check this out!

3. How To Use Neither, Nor, Or, and Nor Correctly . Even good writers struggle figuring out when to use neither/nor and either/or. In this post, our copy-queen Liz Bureman settles the confusion once and for all. Click to continue to the writing exercise

4. Ten Secrets To Write Better Stories . How does Pixar manage to create such great stories, year after year? And how do you write a good story? In this post, I distill everything I've learned about how to write a good story into ten tips. Click to continue to the writing exercise

5. 35 Questions To Ask Your Characters From Marcel Proust . To get to know my characters better, I use a list of questions known as the Proust Questionnaire, made famous by French author, Marcel Proust. Click to continue to the writing exercise

6. How a Scene List Can Change Your Novel-Writing Life . Creating a scene list changed my novel-writing life, and doing the same will change yours too. Includes examples of the scene lists from famous authors. Click to continue to the writing exercise

7. Why You Need to be Using the Oxford Comma . Most people I've met have no idea what the Oxford comma is, but it's probably something that you have used frequently in your writing. Click to continue to the writing exercise

8. Six Surprising Ways to Write Better Interview Questions.  The interview is the most-used tool in a journalist's bag. But that doesn't mean novelists, bloggers, and even students can't and don't interview people. Here's how to conduct a great interview. Click to continue to the writing exercise

9. Why You Should Try Writing in Second Person . You've probably used first person and third person point-of-view already. But what about second person? This post explains three reasons why you should try writing from this point-of-view. Click to continue to the writing exercise

10. The Secret to Show, Don't Tell . You've heard the classic writing rule, “Show. Don't Tell.” Every writing blog ever has talked about it, and for good reason. Showing, for some reason, is really difficult. Click to continue to the writing exercise.

Book Idea Worksheet

12 Exercises and Lessons To Become a Better Writer

How do you become a better writer? These posts share our best advice:

  • Want to Be a Better Writer? Cut These 7 Words
  • What I Mean When I Say I Am A Writer
  • How to Become a Writer: 3 Simple Steps
  • 72% of Writers Struggle With THIS
  • 7 Lies About Becoming a Writer That You Probably Believe
  • 10 Questions to Find Your Unique Writing Voice
  • The Best Writing Book I’ve Ever Read
  • The Best Way to Become a Better Writer
  • The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Tools You Can’t Write Without
  • Should You Write More or Write Better: Quantity vs Quality
  • How to Become a Better Writer in One, Simple Step
  • 11 Writing Tips That Will Change Your Life

6 Lessons and Exercises from Great Writers

If you want to be a writer, learn from the great writers who have gone before you:

  • 23 Essential Quotes from Ernest Hemingway About Writing
  • 29 Quotes that Explain How to Become a Better Writer
  • 10 Lessons Dr. Seuss Can Teach Writers
  • 10 Writing Tips from Ursula Le Guin
  • Once Upon a Time: Pixar Prompt
  • All the Pretty Words: Writing In the Style of Cormac McCarthy

12 Genre and Format Specific Writing Lessons and Exercises

Here are our best writing lessons for specific types of writing, including essays, screenplays, memoir, short stories, children's books, and humor writing:

  • Writing an Essay? Here Are 10 Effective Tips
  • How To Write a Screenplay: The 5 Step Process
  • How to Write a Great Memoir: a Complete Guide
  • How to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish
  • How to Write a Thriller Novel
  • How to Write a Children's Book
  • How to Write a Love Story
  • How to Write a Coming of Age Story or Book
  • How to Write an Adventure Book
  • 5 Key Elements for Successful Short Stories
  • 4 Tips to Write a Novel That Will Be Adapted Into a Movie
  • Humor Writing for People Who Aren’t Funny

14 Characterization Lessons and Exercises

Good characters are the foundation of good fiction. Here are our best lessons to create better characters:

  • Character Development: How to Create Characters Audiences Will Love
  • Writing Villains: 9 Evil Examples of the Villain Archetype
  • How NOT to Introduce a New Character
  • The Strongest Form of Characterization
  • The Most Important Character Archetype
  • How Do You Build A Strong Character In Your Writing?
  • 75+ Antihero Examples and How to Use Them
  • How to Explore Your Characters’ Motivations
  • 8 Tips for Naming Characters
  • The Protagonist: How to Center Your Story
  • Heroes vs. Anti-Heroes: Which Is Right For Your Story?
  • The Weakest Form of Characterization
  • How to Write With an Accent
  • How To Create a Character Sketch Using Scrivener

15 Grammar Lessons and Exercises

I talk to so many writers, some of whom are published authors, who struggle with grammar. Here are our best writing lessons on grammar:

  • Is It Okay To End A Sentence With A Preposition?
  • Contractions List: When To Use and When To Avoid
  • Good vs. Well
  • Connotation vs. Denotation
  • Per Se vs. Per Say
  • When You SHOULD Use Passive Voice
  • When Do You Use “Quotation Marks”
  • Polysyndeton and Asyndeton: Definition and Examples
  • The Case Against Twilight
  • Affect Versus Effect
  • Stop Saying “Literally”
  • What Is a Comma Splice? And Why Do Editors Hate Them?
  • Intra vs. Inter: Why No One Plays Intermural Sports
  • Alright and Alot: Words That Are Not Words
  • The Poor, Misunderstood Semicolon

5 Journalism Lessons and Exercises

Want to be a journalist? Or even use techniques from journalism to improve your novel, essay, or screenplay? Here are our best writing lessons on journalism:

  • Six Ways to Ask Better Questions In Interviews
  • How to Conduct an Author Interview
  • Interview In Person or Via Email?  
  • What If They Don’t Want to Talk to You?
  • Eleven Habits of a Highly Effective Interviewers

16 Plot and Structure Lessons and Exercises

Want to write a good story? Our top plot and structure lessons will help:

  • The Nine Types of Story and How to Master Them
  • Points of a Story: 6 Plot Points Every Story Needs
  • How to Shape a Story: The 6 Arcs
  • 7 Keys To Write the Perfect First Line of a Novel
  • The Secret to Creating Conflict
  • 4 Tips to Avoid Having Your Short Story Rejected by a Literary Magazine
  • 7 Steps to Creating Suspense
  • 5 Elements of Storytelling
  • 3 Important Rules for Writing Endings
  • A Writer’s Cheatsheet to Plot and Structure
  • Overcoming the Monster
  • How to Satisfy Your Reader With a Great Ending
  • Pow! Boom! Ka-Pow! 5 Tips to Write Fight Scenes
  • The Dramatic Question and Suspense in Fiction
  • How to Write a Memorable Beginning and Ending
  • How to Write the Perfect First Page

6 Lessons and Exercises to Beat Writer's Block

Writer's block is real, and it can completely derail your writing. Here are six lessons to get writing again:

  • How To Write Whether You Feel Like it Or Not
  • This Fun Creative Writing Exercise Will Change Your Life
  • When You Should Be Writing But Can't…
  • What to do When Your Word Count is Too Low
  • 7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower
  • When You Don’t Know What to Write, Write About Your Insecurities

7 Literary Technique Lessons and Exercises

These writing and storytelling techniques will teach you a few tricks of the trade you may not have discovered before:

  • 3 Tips to “Show, Don’t Tell” Emotions and Moods
  • 3 Reasons to Write Stream of Consciousness Narrative
  • 16 Observations About Real Dialogue
  • Intertextuality As A Literary Device
  • Why You Should Use Symbolism In Your Writing
  • 6 Ways to Evoke Emotion in Poetry and Prose
  • 3 Tips To Write Modern Allegorical Novels
  • Symbol vs. Motif: What’s the Difference

3 Inspirational Writing Lessons and Exercises

Need some inspiration? Here are three of our most inspiring posts:

  • Why We Write: Four Reasons
  • You Must Remember Every Scar
  • 17 Reasons to Write Something NOW

3 Publishing Blogging Lessons and Exercises

If you want to get published, these three lessons will help:

  • The Secret to Writing On Your Blog Every Day
  • How to Publish Your Book and Sell Your First 1,000 Copies
  • How to Submit a Short Story for Publication

11 Writing Prompts

Need inspiration or just a kick in the pants to write. Try one of our top writing prompts :

  • Grandfathers [writing prompt]
  • Out of Place [writing prompt]
  • Sleepless [writing prompt]
  • Longing [writing prompt]
  • Write About Yourself [writing prompt]
  • 3 Reasons You Should Write Ghost Stories
  • Road Trip [writing prompt]
  • Morning [writing prompt]
  • The Beach [writing prompt]
  • Fall Writing Prompts
  • How to Use Six-Word Stories As Writing Prompts

Is It Time To Begin Your Writing Practice?

It's clear that if you want to become a writer, you need to practice writing. We've created a proven process to practice your writing at The Write Practice, but even if you don't join our community, I hope you'll start practicing in some way today.

Personally, I waited  far  too long to start practicing and it set my writing back years.

How about you? Do you think practicing writing is important?  Let me know in the comments section .

Choose one of the writing practice posts above. Then, read the lesson and participate in the writing exercise, posting your work in the Pro Practice Workshop . And if you post, please give feedback to your fellow writers who also posted their practices.

Have fun and happy practicing!

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Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

9 Types of Stories

Work with Joe Bunting?

WSJ Bestselling author, founder of The Write Practice, and book coach with 14+ years experience. Joe Bunting specializes in working with Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, How To, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Mystery, Nonfiction, Science Fiction, and Self Help books. Sound like a good fit for you?

50 Comments

Kristen

You have THE BEST content for writing on this blog!!

Joe Bunting

Thank you, Kristen. This made my morning. 🙂

Mitch Hamilton

Thanks Mitch. 🙂

George McNeese

I can’t remember when I started following this website. I have to look in my notebooks because that’s where I did these practices. I didn’t have access to a computer when I did them, so I wrote them out, setting the time limit. But even when I do get to a computer, I have my reservations about putting my practices on the page. even though it’s practice, I want them to be the best, almost perfect. But I know it won’t be. I’ve gotten feedback before that says so. It still gets to me that I didn’t put something together that not everyone liked. I need to get over it. After all, that is what these practices are about: to learn and improve on our craft.

I don’t know either, George, but it’s been several years. Perfectionism is something so many of us face, and it’s made worse when you don’t have a critique community as warm and encouraging as ours is. I hope you and everyone here are always willing to try something new, even if it comes out a little messed up, because you know we’ll support you and try to make you better.

Elizabeth Varadan

What a great share! Thanks so much!

You’re so welcome, Elizabeth. Thank you for commenting.

Patience

when I ran writing classes I wrote. when I am “a member of writing classes” the teacher/leader/facilitator is NOT MY AUDIENCE and so I don’t write as well/as much. I don’t get the feedback I need from fellow students because most of them have never run their own writing projects/workshops. So many people expect you to write their story for them. I’ve actually got quite a few stories of me own. I have finally decided I like owning them. 😉

It sounds like you need a new critique group, Patience! Hope you can find a place where you get the feedback you need.

Stephanie Ward

Wow! Terrific round-up of resources. 🙂

Thanks Stephanie. 🙂

Carrie Lynn Lewis

Practice is necessary, period. It doesn’t matter what you want to learn. If you want to improve, practice is vital.

It’s odd. I’ve known and applied that principle for years on a variety of things. Painting. Drawing. Blogging. Gardening. Laundry.

But never writing.

Like you, I had the notion that just writing every day was all it took to improve. Why not the same level of dedication to writing?

Perhaps it’s time to change that!

I can relate, Carrie. It’s easy to confuse the craft of writing with journaling, thinking that you can just write whatever you feel like and you’ll get better, write something worth reading. The truth is that writing interesting things to read is a skill, but the good news is that you can get better at it with practice. Thanks for practicing with us! 🙂

Debra johnson

I love these suggestions , and have set Writing Practice as my homepage so the first 15 minutes of my day is spent writing, whether its a practice or exercise here or another that is sprinkled through out this site, Thank you for all you do everyone here at The Write Practice

marlita

This is great Debra. I want to write the first 15 minutes of my day too!

I agree with Joe, Do it. Could be your to do list… ( that could lead to something else story wse later)

I love that, Debra. Such a good way to start your day.

Thanks Joe!

Hyacinth Fidelis Joaquin

The best! Thank you so much for this.

You’re very welcome!

nobody geek

I simply LOVE all the tips and suggestions given on this blog. They are super helpful!

THANK you. We love sharing them with you. 🙂

Thiago d'Evecque

Hi! You forgot the link to How to Write a Story a Week: A Day-by-Day Guide.

Thanks a lot for your work! This post is amazing.

It’s a great post Thiago. Definitely one of our most shared. Thanks for mentioning it! BTW here’s the link:

https://thewritepractice.com/a-story-a-week/

Harsh Rathour

Wow!! There are so many exercises…. I just love it..! I am gonna really enjoy it..!

Awesome! Thank you for reading and practicing with us. 🙂

Macau Mum

I only read halfway , My tootie is jumping all over me, and typing this is a struggle when a 3yr old wants his Toy Story movie on Youtube in this computer. Thank you for this article, will come back later to finish reading.

I know the feeling! Good luck!

Beth

Can’t wait to get stuck in with this! 🙂

LaCresha Lawson

Very helpful! Thank you!

strictlynoelephant

I’ve just bookmarked this page. Thanks for this wonderful list.

fireandparchment

This is awesome! So many helpful tips. I will be coming back to this often. Thanks for posting this!

Jessica M

Wow, so many goodies! Thank you for always providing such amazing content!!

Jacqueline Nicole

I have enjoyed all these articles. Thank you for the help an inspiration to get my writing on its way. My creativity is boosting with confidence. Tootle loo.

Emmanuel Ajayi Adigun

Amazing contents for beginners like me Joe. I am highly inspired by your commitment. Thank you.

Hey, thanks!

Sondra

Although I have only read half of thisc article, the practice exercises are excellent. Some of them are exactly what a beginning writer like myself needs. I am committing to at least try ALL of them. Thanks Joe!!

Kbee E. Betancourt

very helpful! thank you..

Celia Costa

Amazing articles! Thanks so much for sharing!

The Black Hearth

My god this article made me love this site . You know it’s kinda hard for a beginner writer, who don’t know where to start and fixing goals, even samll ones give us a direction . A place to go , an aim for our creativity so thanks you , this community and this site. Love you all . At your pens ! 😉

carmelle

Wow. This is great. I find all your posts informative, but this one is the best for me to use as a guide to get my self starting to write….Thank you.

aurora1920

I’m an old lady who wants to publish one more book before I die — have published several, all non-fiction, and done two under contract to a major publisher (reference books). So help me, the BIGGEST problem I have all along, is keeping track of the damned paper work and research that goes into a book!!! Yet I never ever see articles on something as simple as “How to file” — Oh I know, there’s wonderful software these days so probably I will never find a way to get paper organized — everybody will use software and do it on the computer. I’m too old for that — just one look at the learning curve for software, even putting the damned stuff into computer files is even MORE frustrating than paper!! Oh well, somehow I managed in the past to get books published, I may be able to do it one more time.

Hamzah Ramadan

you enjoy writing more than anything else and you do indeed care to help others write. I love writing but translation from Arabic into English and English into Arabic is taking all of my time from the early hours of the morning till the evening. I will soon get all of your books in order to read them as soon as possible. One thing I am sure of. You know what you are doing very well. Hamzah

Dusan

Excellent! Many useful tips. Many thanks!

Mark Bono

Liz and Joe, I have only looked at a few exercises. Already, I am convinced that your site is one of the best sites out there. Thank your for sharing your wisdom.

aparna WWeerakoon

Wow, these are the best lessons and exercises for writing. Actually i’m participating in a compitition this wendsday. so, i’m quite nervous and exited. this helped me a lot

Mehedi

Magnificent post ever I have read. This article will help me a lot to write a right way. Thank you.

Alexiss Anthonyy Murillo

i need your help to improve to become a better writer please. i think i usually commit moist of these errors and i don;t pay attention to many advices too.

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8 Tips to Write Better Essays in English

Learning a foreign language is an overwhelming experience, especially if it’s one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – English.

Many people are under the impression that learning to read and speak in English is enough without realizing that written English skills are an equally vital asset to have.

From improving academics to boosting career prospects – the ability to write in English not only lets you communicate and express yourself better in today’s globalized world but also makes you more confident.

An effective way to improve your writing skills is to write essays. Wondering where to begin? We bring you eight useful tips to write better essays in English.

1. Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

Using the right vocabulary is an essential element of writing essays. When you make efforts to expand your vocabulary, you will be able to pick accurate words to take your writing to the next level.

Instead of coming across new words and forgetting about them, it’s a good idea to make a note of them in your vocabulary notebook. Doing this helps you remember the meanings of new words and you can also refer to it while writing essays.

So, give yourself a target to learn at least ten new words every day, which you can jot down in your diary and take baby steps in building a strong vocabulary.

2. Refer to Credible Sources

Research forms the first step in writing any kind of essay. The stronger your research, the better is the quality of your essay.

At a time when we have access to a wide range of data, it’s important to evaluate research sources carefully and only refer to credible ones. For example, Wikipedia is not a reliable source and should not be attributed to while writing essays.

Take the effort to read through published journals, research studies, scholarly papers, academic databases, and encyclopedias published within the last 10-15 years. It’s also important to assess the credibility of the author while evaluating the source.

3. Draft a Basic Outline

Once you’ve done your research, don’t rush to write. Take a moment to draft a basic outline for your essay and organize your research and findings.

“Is that necessary,” you ask? Very much.

Working on an outline lets you approach the essay in an organized manner. It serves as the skeleton of your paper while ensuring you’re not missing out on any information and that your points flow logically.

Most essays are categorized into – introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction is where you introduce the topic and give context. The body paragraphs need to include your arguments and research methodology (if any). The conclusion needs to reiterate the thesis statement and tie all the points together.

4. Hook the Reader

With attention spans getting shorter with time, it’s become all the more important to start with a bang and hook the reader from the beginning to ensure they are invested in your writing.

Essay hooks refer to the first one or two sentences of your essay which have the power to make or break the reader’s interest. The key is to write a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and reels them in.

From an alarming statistic and relevant quote to using humor and asking a rhetoric question – there are various tactics you can employ to keep the reader engaged.

If you’re unable to think of an impactful essay hook, don’t waste too much time on it. Finish the rest of your essay and come back to write a compelling hook later.

5. Use the Pomodoro Technique

It’s not easy to write an essay in one go, especially if it’s not in your first language.

A smart way to approach essay writing is to use the Pomodoro technique. This technique asks you to set a timer for 25 minutes to finish your task in question and then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles of repeating this, you get to take an extended 20-minute break.

So, start with breaking down the assignment into smaller tasks such as research, outlining, writing the different paragraphs, citing references and proofreading. You can then set the timer, start working on the essay as per the technique and track your progress.

Using this technique keeps distractions at bay and helps you stay more focused.

6. Pay Attention to Grammar Rules

You may raise interesting points in your essay, but poor grammar disrupts the reading experience and should be avoided at all costs.

Be careful when adding punctuations, check your sentence formations, avoid passive voice as much as possible and know the difference between adjectives, adverbs, nouns and verbs.

So  abide by grammar rules to deliver a well-written and cohesive essay.

7. Write with Clarity

You might be tempted to use complex metaphors and jargons to impress the reader, but the truth is, none of that guarantees “good” writing.

One of the most important ingredients of effective writing is clarity. You don’t want to leave the reader confused and puzzled after reading your essay. So, use simple words, stop beating around the bush and explain concepts with the help of examples because clear writing always wins.

8. Reread the Essay

Finally, make it a point to proofread your essay (multiple times) to ensure you have covered all the aspects, cited references accurately and not made any silly errors.

It’s a good idea to read your essay out loud so you’re able to identify errors and awkwardly formed sentences with ease. You should also get a friend or family member to read your essay, to spot mistakes or discrepancies that you may have overlooked.

You may also like:

  • I Don’t Understand, Do You?
  • Simple English Videos
  • Listen&Learn: The Berlin Wall

35 comments

Thanks a lot all we can derive from reading is the technique to write with clarity, good research and involvement of readers in writing.

Thank a lot dear EnglishClub, it’s help me a lot

I think it is very good site for learn essay writing

As a teacher trainer this contribution is helpful

Thanks for the tips! I’ll have an essay tomorrow and this will surlely prepare me!

Thank you so much

Thanks Please I will like to know more

thank you so much for your amazing informations

encyclopedias

encyclopaedias

Nice one but I don’t understand yet

Knowledge supporter is who u are, keep d good work nd ur reward is from God nd thanks.

thanks alot for your tips…your tips will help me alot while examss!!!

Thank you so much for information ☺️

Thank you ☺️

Thank you 💯💯💯💯💯💯

My hobby is home garden

ur intentinon and thoughts was very nce its useful to somny pepole to learn english tysomuch adela belin

Thanks you for helping

This did help a lot! Thank you very much 🥰

Good tips, I should give it a try, after all, we all improve by exercising hard so I’ll just do the same thing, but right now I gotta focus on what matters, and what I need now is to read as much as I can to know how to spell the words right. Is grammar so important in this task, I mean can’t I just pick the things up because of my experience in listening skill ?

Thanks for the information!

This is a nice explanation ,,,,,proud of you!

Is very interesting for me I really apreicete you help

Thanks so much for these useful tips!! Now, I need to start preparing my essay (“starting” has been always the stone on my way :$)

Please, what is the difference between an essay and an article?

Are they same?

Thanks in advance,

Thanks & best regards English Club

Helpful updated tips to share with our students!! thankssss

I want to know if it is only at the University or if we may take the course online.

Thank you verry much for important advices

thank for your key points, this is really helpful

Thank you and best wishes,

Very pragmatic and helpful essay. Thank so much English club

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How to Improve Essay Writing

Last Updated: December 28, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 43,916 times.

Do your teachers always mark up your essays with red ink? Are you eager to learn how to express yourself clearly and effectively? If so, there are plenty of steps you can take to improve your essay writing skills. Improve your grammar, refine your style, and learn how to structure a well-organized essay. Since academic essays are especially tricky, learn the ins and outs of formal, scholarly writing. Be sure to read as much as possible; seeing how other authors use language can improve your own writing.

Improving Your Grammar and Style

Step 1 Review basic grammar...

  • For example, while writing, you might not know whether to use “who” or “whom,” so you check the rule online. You’d use “who” for a person doing an action (called a subject), and “whom” for someone who gets something done to them (called an object). “Who called you,” and “Whom did you call” are grammatically correct.
  • Find a general guide on grammar at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/index.html .
  • If you’re a student, see if your school has a writing lab. If so, they’ll have useful resources on grammar and tutors who can help you improve basic writing skills.

Step 2 Write in the active voice whenever possible.

  • That said, some exceptions apply. If you’re discussing a scientific study, “The subjects were divided into control and experimental groups,” is better than “Researchers divided the subjects into control and experimental groups.” This is because passive voice emphasizes the object of the action rather than the subject. In scientific writing, the object is more important than the subject.

Step 3 Choose concise words and phrases.

  • For example, “The author of the selection establishes the foundation of the work’s controlling metaphor in the initial stanza,” is packed with unnecessary words. A cleaner version of this example could be, “The author introduces the poem’s controlling metaphor in the first stanza.”
  • Instead of “The animal sleeps during the day and is active at nighttime,” write “The animal is nocturnal.”
  • Rather than "The fox ran very fast," write "The fox sprinted."
  • In the sentence, “The argument is compelling and convincing,” compelling and convincing are close enough in meaning. Using one would get the point across, but using both is repetitive.

Step 4 Use punctuation to set your writing’s rhythm.

  • Keep in mind the clause that follows a semicolon needs to be a complete sentence. It should also continue the idea conveyed in the clause before the semicolon. Proper use would be, “The platter dates to 1790; examples of British transfer-ware from this period are rare.”
  • Use punctuation strategically. A complicated sentence, like this one, with too much, or confusing, or misplaced, punctuation is hard, for most readers, to follow. Aim instead for clear, easy-to-read writing.

Step 5 Vary your sentence structure.

  • For example, “The platter dates to 1790. It is in pristine condition. There are no nicks or cracks,” are choppy and repetitive.
  • Better phrasing would be, “An impressed back-stamp indicates that the platter was made in 1790. With no nicks, cracks, or discoloration, its condition is pristine; few pieces of this age and quality exist.”
  • Keep in mind repetitive sentences aren’t necessarily choppy. For instance, “Since the platter has a maker’s mark, accurately determining its age is possible. Since it has no nicks or marks, it is in excellent condition,” are repetitive sentences, even if they’re not short and choppy.

Using Academic Language

Step 1 Avoid slang, contractions, and other informal expressions.

  • For example, instead of, “I think it’s pretty crazy how the artist made the painting so detailed,” write, “The artist achieves an impressive level of detail.”
  • Note that you can use the first person and contractions in less formal essays, such as an autobiographical sketch or college application essay. However, your writing still shouldn’t be too casual. “I found myself questioning my assumptions” is fine but, in most cases, “I was like wow I didn’t know what I was talking about” is too casual.

Step 2 Use objective, specific language instead of making generalizations.

  • Say you’re writing an essay about school uniforms. “Uniforms are good because they make it easier to get ready in the morning,” might be a fair point, but it's not the strongest argument you could make. Backing up your point with objective evidence would be more convincing.
  • On the other hand, “According to a 2017 study, schools reported an average of 44% fewer disciplinary referrals the year after implementing mandatory uniforms,” cites a specific, concrete fact.
  • Additionally, use specific quantities whenever possible. In this example, “an average of 44% fewer disciplinary referrals,” is more effective than “a significant decrease.” [5] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Step 3 Build your knowledge of your discipline’s vocabulary.

  • Learning how to properly use subject-specific terminology can help you express yourself clearly and effectively. Academic writing is a dialogue, and learning the language of a scholarly dialogue is essential.
  • For instance, if you’re writing a literary analysis, you might discuss how an author makes a comparison. While technically correct, the word “comparison” isn’t as precise as literary terms such as “metaphor” or “simile.”

Step 4 Include big words and technical terms only when it’s necessary.

  • Using convoluted jargon or big words just for the sake of it will make your writing clunky. Furthermore, you’ll lose credibility if you misuse a complex word or technical term.
  • For instance, “By utilizing efficacious examples, the author elucidates an irrefutable argument” is verbose. Simpler phrasing would be, “The author presents a convincing argument by using effective examples.”

Mastering the Writing Process

Step 1 Analyze your essay question or prompt.

  • Note that an essay prompt’s keywords have distinct meanings. Analyze, for example, doesn’t mean to describe; it means to pull apart and examine something’s structure.
  • Suppose you have to analyze an argument. Your essay needs identify the argument's rhetorical elements, such as pathos (appeals to emotion), logos (employing reason or logic), or ethos (relying on authority or credibility). After breaking down the argument's structure, you'll then need to explain how the author uses these devices to make their case.

Step 2 Research...

  • Remember to check your sources’ credibility. If you’re writing about a former president, find the biography scholars consider most authoritative. Check the authoritative biography’s footnotes and references, which will help you track down more reputable sources.
  • You won't conduct thorough research if you’re writing an essay for a test. Instead, read the sources provided with the exam. For example, if a literature essay test requires you to analyze an excerpt, read the passage carefully.

Step 3 Develop a succinct,...

  • For instance, “Schools should implement mandatory uniforms because they reduce disciplinary issues, help students focus on learning, and promote school spirit,” is clear and specific.
  • The thesis, “Mandatory uniforms are beneficial, so schools should implement them,” makes a claim, but “beneficial” is vague. It doesn’t convey why uniforms are good, so it’s not a strong thesis.

Step 4 Create an outline...

  • For the next Roman numerals, write the subtopics, citations, and other details that you’ll cover in each body paragraph.
  • In the following example, Roman number II. would be an essay section, and letters A. through D. are body paragraphs that each focus on a sub-topic: II. Uniforms reduce disciplinary issues   A. 44% decrease in detentions after introducing uniforms (Smith, 2017)   B. Suspension decreased by 60% (Smith, 2017)   C. Absenteeism and tardiness decreased (Pew, 2013)   D. 66% of students report less bullying (Ohio Board of Education, 2016)

Step 5 Use the TEEL...

  • Topic sentence: School uniforms may reduce the number of serious behavioral problems.
  • Explain: Evidence suggests dressing alike lowers peer pressure, promotes discipline, and prevents the display of controversial or offensive imagery.
  • Evidence: For example, according to the Ohio Board of Education, schools that introduced uniforms reported 44% fewer disciplinary referrals, such as detentions and suspensions. Furthermore, 66% of surveyed students said they witnessed fewer bullying incidents after they started wearing uniforms.
  • Link: These findings suggest that implementing uniforms is an effective way to foster a disciplined school environment.

Step 6 Address a counterargument to strengthen your claim.

  • A counterargument could be, “Opponents claim that mandatory uniforms stifle self-expression and lower self-esteem. Although uniforms do prevent personal expressions of style, studies show they actually improve confidence and encourage the expression of ideas. Rather than harm self-image, research suggests that uniforms positively impact mental health. In a 10-year Oxford University study, a majority of students reported that wearing uniforms boosts their self-esteem. With a level playing field, they worry less about choosing clothes that fit the norm.”

Step 7 Give yourself ample time to revise your draft.

  • First, revise your essay’s content. Check for unclear language, unorganized spots, awkward sentences, and weak word choices. Next, proofread your work and fix any spelling or grammatical errors.
  • For important essays, like a term paper or an admissions essay, have someone read your work and offer feedback.
  • In general, try to leave a day for edits at the bare minimum. For a big research paper, scheduling a week or more is ideal.
  • For a quick, paragraph-long assignment that’s due the next day, you might only need 15 or 20 minutes for revisions. If you're taking a timed essay test, set aside the last 5 to 10 minutes to check your work.

Expert Q&A

  • To improve your writing, read as much as you can. Reading a mix of fiction, newspaper articles, and scholarly works will help you learn new ways to structure sentences, refine your grammar skills, and improve your vocabulary. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • You might not have to conduct thorough research or develop a scholarly thesis if you’re writing an informal essay. However, basic elements such as strong word choices, varied sentence structures, and concise language still apply. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/passive-voice/
  • ↑ https://slc.berkeley.edu/nine-basic-ways-improve-your-style-academic-writing
  • ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/academic_style.pdf
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/sciences/
  • ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/vocabulary.pdf
  • ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/Essay_writing_process_accessible_2015.pdf
  • ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/super%20essay.pdf
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis
  • ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/paragraph-structure

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Mastering the art of essay writing – tips, tricks, and strategies.

My essay writing

If you want to enhance your essay writing abilities, remember to:

1. Practice regularly: The key to becoming a better writer is to write consistently. Set aside time each day to write and refine your craft.

2. Read extensively: Reading a variety of genres and styles can help you develop your own voice and improve your vocabulary.

3. Get feedback: Share your essays with peers, teachers, or writing mentors to receive constructive criticism and learn from your mistakes.

4. Outline your ideas: Before you start writing, create a structured outline to organize your thoughts and ensure your essay flows logically.

5. Edit and proofread: Always review your work for errors in grammar, punctuation, and coherence. Revision is key to polishing your essays to perfection.

Develop a Strong Thesis

One of the most important aspects of essay writing is crafting a strong thesis statement. Your thesis serves as the main argument of your essay and sets the tone for the rest of your paper. Here are some tips to help you develop a strong thesis:

  • Be Clear and Specific: Your thesis should clearly state your position and provide a roadmap for your readers to follow.
  • Be Concise: Keep your thesis statement concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words or vague language.
  • Be Original: Your thesis should be original and reflect your own ideas and insights on the topic.
  • Be Supportable: Make sure your thesis is supported by evidence and examples throughout your essay.

By developing a strong thesis statement, you can create a foundation for a well-structured and coherent essay that effectively communicates your ideas to your audience.

Conduct Thorough Research

Conduct Thorough Research

One of the key elements of writing a high-quality essay is conducting thorough research. To ensure that your essay is well-informed and credible, follow these tips:

  • Utilize credible sources: Make sure to use reliable sources such as scholarly articles, academic journals, and books to gather information for your essay.
  • Explore different perspectives: It is important to consider various viewpoints on the topic and incorporate them into your essay to provide a well-rounded argument.
  • Take detailed notes: Keep track of important information, quotes, and references during your research to make it easier to refer back to them when writing your essay.
  • Verify your information: Double-check the accuracy of the facts and data you include in your essay to ensure that your arguments are backed up by reliable sources.
  • Give credit where it’s due: Make sure to properly cite the sources you use in your essay to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.

By conducting thorough research, you can enhance the quality and credibility of your essay, making it more compelling and engaging for your readers.

Organize Your Ideas

Once you have gathered all your research and brainstormed your thoughts, it’s crucial to organize your ideas before you start writing. Creating a clear and logical structure for your essay will help you convey your argument effectively.

One effective way to organize your ideas is to create an outline. Start by outlining the main points you want to cover in your essay. This will help you see the overall structure and flow of your essay.

Consider using bullet points or numbering to clearly outline each section of your essay. This will make it easier for you to focus on each point individually and ensure that your ideas are presented in a coherent manner.

Remember to check your outline to ensure that your ideas are presented in a logical order and that your argument flows smoothly from one point to the next. This will help you create a well-structured and cohesive essay that is easy for your readers to follow.

Use Clear and Concise Language

Use Clear and Concise Language

When writing essays, it is essential to use clear and concise language to effectively communicate your ideas to the reader. Avoid using unnecessary words or overly complex sentences that may confuse your audience. Instead, focus on conveying your thoughts in a straightforward manner.

One way to ensure clarity in your writing is to use simple and direct language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms unless they are essential to your topic. Instead, opt for words that are easy to understand and convey your message clearly.

Additionally, make sure to structure your sentences in a way that is easy to follow. Start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph, and then provide supporting details in a logical order. This will help your reader easily comprehend your argument and follow your line of thought.

By using clear and concise language in your essays, you will make your writing more accessible and engaging for your audience. Remember, the goal is to effectively communicate your ideas, so keep it simple and to the point!

Revise and Edit Carefully

Once you have finished writing your essay, it is important to revise and edit it carefully before submitting it. Editing plays a crucial role in improving the quality of your writing.

1. Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and grammatical errors that may have gone unnoticed.

2. Check for Consistency: Ensure that your arguments and ideas flow logically throughout the essay. Check for consistency in tone, style, and formatting.

3. Proofread for Spelling and Grammar: Carefully proofread your essay for spelling and grammar mistakes. Use tools like spell check and grammar check, but also manually review each word and sentence.

4. Get Feedback: Ask a friend, classmate, or teacher to review your essay and provide constructive feedback. Another set of eyes can catch errors or suggest improvements that you might have missed.

By revising and editing your essay carefully, you can ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, and error-free, making a strong impression on your audience.

Seek Feedback and Learn from it

Receiving feedback is an essential part of improving your essay writing skills. Whether it’s from your teachers, peers, or online writing communities, feedback can provide valuable insights into your writing style, structure, and clarity.

When seeking feedback, be open to constructive criticism and actively listen to suggestions for improvement. Pay attention to areas where you may have weaknesses or areas for growth. Taking the feedback into consideration and incorporating it into your writing can help you enhance your skills and become a better writer.

Join writing groups or workshops where you can exchange feedback with other writers and learn from their expertise.

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Essential words to improve vocabulary

Enhancing your vocabulary is a powerful way to improve how you express yourself and engage with others. Whether you're writing essays, delivering presentations, or simply conversing, having rich vocabulary skills allows you to communicate with precision and impact. Here’s a guide to essential words that can help elevate your vocabulary from average to advanced.

Understanding vocabulary levels

Before exploring the words, it's useful to understand different vocabulary levels :

  • Basic : Words that most native speakers know, can include overused words and phrases.
  • Intermediate : Words needed for professional fluency and nuanced expression.
  • Advanced : Complex words used in specialized or academic contexts.

Essential words for an advanced vocabulary

Advancing your vocabulary involves adopting words that not only enhance your language but also allow you to express ideas more clearly and accurately. Here are several categories and examples of essential words that can enrich your vocabulary:

Words that express magnitude

  • Colossal : Extremely large or great.
  • Minute : Extremely small.
  • Plethora : A large or excessive amount of something.

These words help you describe quantities and sizes with greater accuracy and impact.

Words for describing feelings and emotions

  • Euphoric : Intensely happy or confident.
  • Melancholic : Sad, typically with no obvious cause.
  • Apathetic : Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Using precise emotional descriptors can make your stories and explanations more engaging and empathetic.

Descriptive adjectives

  • Pristine : In its original condition; unspoiled.
  • Surreptitious : Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
  • Volatile : Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.

Rich adjectives like these can deepen your descriptions and offer clearer, more detailed imagery.

Verbs to express action

  • Galvanize : Shock or excite (someone) into taking action.
  • Mitigate : Make less severe, serious, or painful.
  • Usurp : Take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force.

Dynamic and specific verbs can invigorate your sentences, making them more powerful and memorable.

Strategies to incorporate new words into your vocabulary

Read widely and often.

Reading a variety of genres and styles is an effective way to encounter new vocabulary. Challenge yourself with materials that go beyond your current level to discover new and useful words. And if you find yourself in a rush for time, you can count on Elevate’s reading games as a time-sensitive substitute.

Use a vocabulary journal

Maintain a journal where you record new words, their definitions, and example sentences. Regular review will help reinforce your memory of these terms.

Practice using new words

Make an effort to use new vocabulary in your everyday communication. This practice helps integrate new words into your active vocabulary, making them more familiar and easier to recall.

Engage with interactive learning tools

Consider using apps like Elevate, which provide engaging exercises and vocabulary games designed to enhance your speech systematically and enjoyably.

Your guide to a richer vocabulary

Becoming more articulate is a journey of continuous learning and application. By focusing on key words that elevate your language skills and actively using them, you can significantly enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication and learn to speak eloquently .

Ready to expand your vocabulary and transform your communication skills? Download the Elevate app today and start improving with every word you learn!

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Dread writing an essay? It’s probably one of the toughest aspects of student life. Students worldwide face the difficult task of gathering their thoughts and penning them down on paper to draft an essay that gets them an A. But won’t it be great if you can find out whether your essay is impressive before your teacher grades it? Essay graders can help you do exactly that! 

We have compiled a list of the best essay graders in this article, including some artificial intelligence (AI) essay graders. If you search “ai essay grader free”, you’ll be swamped with options, but here are the 10 best essay graders you can use for free. 

Here are 10 popular essay graders: 

  • Class X’s AI Essay Grader
  • Grammarly Free Essay Checker
  • QuillBot’s Free AI-powered Essay and Paper Checker
  • Essay-Grader.AI
  • Perfect Essay Writer.ai
  • ProWritingAid’s Essay Checker
  • EduBirdie’s Essay Grader
  • PlagiarismSearch’s Free Essay Grader
  • Plagiarism Detector.net

Let us review these free essay graders in detail. 

Explore top-notch essay editing and proofreading services. Learn more

Ten popular essay graders of 2024

1. paperrater.

PaperRater is a free online essay grader that helps students improve their writing by checking essays and papers. It corrects grammar mistakes , including spelling and punctuation . It also gives suggestions to improve word choice and style, providing an overall assessment.

To use the essay grader online, paste your text into their online tool or upload a file, select the right options, and click “Get Report”. The tool then analyzes the text and provides a detailed report with feedback. 

For those who need advanced features, PaperRater offers a premium service at $11.21/month or $71.55/year.

2. Class X’s AI Essay Grader

Class X offers a free essay grader where students can paste their essays, stating the class in which they study along with the essay’s subject line. The tool grades their essay at the click of a button, giving them detailed feedback on the write-up. It also displays the score, showing the “Criteria”, “Score”, and “Explanation” for each element. 

Class X’s premium essay grading services are chargeable but offer extensive services to support the educational endeavors of both students and teachers. With a Premium or Pro membership, you can get rid of advertisements and enjoy multiple benefits, including interactive exercises and media. 

Premium services are available for $72/year, while Pro can be purchased for $152 annually. 

3. Grammarly Free Essay Checker

Grammarly’s free essay checker is a great college essay grader that can help you polish your essay before submitting it for your teacher’s final review. All you need to do is paste the content of your essay and check Grammarly’s suggestions. 

The free version masks some suggestions, which are only available through Grammarly Premium. It costs $12/month, while Grammarly Business is available for $15/member/month. 

4. QuillBot’s Free AI-powered Essay and Paper Checker

QuillBot’s free essay checker is a game-changer for students. Apart from the standard grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks , it offers a suite of benefits to elevate your writing, including detailed feedback. 

Using QuillBot is simple! Paste your content in the space provided upon clicking the “Essay Checker” option and get suggestions for modifications and language corrections. You can accept or ignore the suggested changes. You can even write your essay on the website directly and have it formatted, too. 

The company also offers Premium service options, with a best-value annual plan costing $8.33/month.

5. Essay-Grader.AI

If you are a teacher struggling to grade essays due to the sheer number of submissions every month, Essay-Grader.AI is your chance to leave the stress behind. Essay-Grader.AI offers a host of services that help teachers perform several key tasks to empower students on their academic journey. 

The platform’s AI-enabled grading tools assist teachers in sharing comprehensive feedback with students. Teachers can focus on student development, offering personalized guidance and instruction through a quality feedback mechanism across various teaching modes.  

While the free version is quite useful and effective, Essay-Grader.AI has Premium and Pro versions that cost $12.99/month and $7.99/month, respectively. The Premium version offers the maximum benefits, such as the facility to grade 250 essays every month with a word count limit of 5000 words per essay.

6. Perfect Essay Writer.ai

This online essay grader is perfect for high school, college, master’s, and doctoral students. Once you paste your essay in the textbox provided on the platform and hit “Generate”, it will offer a detailed report on how your essay might fare upon submission. 

For a comprehensive assessment of your essays with detailed input on structure , clarity, and grammar, Perfect Essay Writer.ai is a great tool! 

You can also hire a writer using the “Hire Human Writer” option available on the site. It costs $11 to get a one-page essay (around 300 words) written by a human writer. These writers take care of formatting, bibliography, and proofreading , among other things. 

7. ProWritingAid’s Essay Checker

ProWritingAid’s free essay grader gives useful suggestions to help you improve your essay. You can accept or reject these suggestions based on your understanding and judgment. This tool can be added to your browser, too, as an extension. So, you get better grades than before and become a better writer with each passing day—what more could anyone ask for? 

If you are looking for unlimited word count usage, style guide input, citations , unlimited storage capacity, and critique, among other services, the website also offers Premium and Premium Pro packages. To get the Premium package, you will need to pay $10/month; it will cost you $12/month for Premium Pro services. 

8. EduBirdie’s Essay Grader

EduBirdie is a comprehensive writing platform that offers various services like essay writing , dissertation writing and editing, research paper editing , application essay writing , term paper writing, etc. The site has a very easy-to-use interface, making essay grading a cakewalk. 

Like Perfect Essay Writer.ai, you can hire a human writer. The best part is that you can select one after reading reviews and considering their finished paper numbers. Depending on the writer you select and the writing specifications (word count, essay type , etc.), the platform will charge your account upon placing an order. 

9. PlagiarismSearch’s Free Essay Grader

This free online essay grader allows you to upload files from Dropbox, OneDrive, or your computer, or you can paste content directly into the textbox for analysis. It can help students at different levels, including high school, college, university, master’s, and doctoral. 

Teachers, universities, and organizations will find these services useful and reasonable as they boost productivity. 

The paid version of this service under “Paper Analysis” starts at $4.50 and goes up to $9.50 or more based on different specifications entered while ordering these services. 

The website rates papers from any discipline and offers round-the-clock support. Qualified writers deliver polished documents to ensure your paper receives the best grade possible. 

10. Plagiarism Detector.net

Plagiarism Detector.net does not place a cap on the number of essays that can be graded on its user-friendly platform. This free online essay grader allows you to grade as many essays as you want and assures the confidentiality and security of your essays by not saving them in its database. 

It checks for issues under the following heads: Consistency and Style, Formatting Errors, Repetition, Misused Words, and Unnecessary Capitalization.

While the platform has paid plans for plagiarism detection , the essay checker feature is free for all users. If you are interested in the paid version, try the Basic plan that costs $20/month and allows you to check around 72,000 words. 

Why should you use a free essay grader online? 

A Pew Research Center report says that almost 19% of students acquainted with ChatGPT have used it while working on school assignments. So, is it possible to keep AI away from academics? It does not seem so! Besides, AI has been helping students and teachers learn faster and perform better than before. 

AI-assisted teaching and learning might be a good solution, where humans use AI models to improve education. 

Here are some compelling reasons why you should use a free essay grader online:

  • Feedback mechanism: Free essay graders display detailed feedback. 
  • Objective approach: Free online essay graders offer an unbiased evaluation.
  • Writing skills: These tools help improve your writing skills by suggesting corrections.
  • Time management: Online essay graders help you save essay correction time. 
  • Grammar and style: Essay graders enable you to fix grammar and stylistic errors.

Still worried that your essay might not receive a good grade? Check out PaperTrue’s essay editing and proofreading services and get your essay edited by experts. Here are some other articles that might interest you: 

  • Top 10 Essay Checkers in 2024 (Free & Paid)
  • Top 10 Essay Writing Tools in 2024 | Plan, Write, Get Feedback
  • Top AI Essay Writers in 2024: 10 Must-Haves
  • How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay (Examples Included!)
  • Essay Proofreading | Options, Cost & Checklist

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How to Improve Your SAT Writing Score with Effective Revision

The SAT Writing and Language section can be challenging, but with the right strategies and effective revision, you can significantly improve your score. Whether you’re aiming for a perfect score or just looking to boost your current performance, understanding how to revise your work is key. This article will guide you through essential tips and techniques to enhance your SAT Writing score through effective revision.

Key Areas to Focus on During Revision in SAT Writing Section

When revising for the SAT Writing section, focus on the following key areas:

  • Grammar and Usage: Ensure that you have a strong understanding of grammar rules. Common issues include subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, pronoun usage, and parallel structure. Revising these areas can help you avoid frequent errors.
  • Sentence Structure: Pay attention to sentence structure and variety. Avoid run-on sentences and fragments. Ensure that your sentences are clear and logically organized. Revising for sentence structure can improve the flow and readability of your writing.
  • Punctuation: Proper punctuation is essential for clarity. Review the rules for using commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes. Correct punctuation errors can enhance the precision of your writing.
  • Word Choice: Choose words that convey your message clearly and accurately. Avoid using overly complex words that might confuse the reader. Revising for word choice can help you express your ideas more effectively.
  • Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure that your writing is clear and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words or overly complex sentences. Revising for clarity and conciseness can make your writing more impactful.

Effective Revision Techniques for the SAT Writing Section

Now that you know what to focus on, here are some effective revision techniques to improve your SAT Writing score:

Practice with Official SAT Questions

One of the best ways to revise is by practicing with official SAT Writing questions. The College Board provides sample questions and practice tests that closely mirror the actual exam. Practicing with these questions helps you familiarize yourself with the test format and identify areas where you need improvement.

Review Common SAT Writing Errors

Certain errors are commonly tested in the SAT Writing section. These include issues like misplaced modifiers, faulty parallelism, and incorrect verb forms. By reviewing these common errors, you can learn to spot them quickly and avoid making similar mistakes on test day.

Use the Process of Elimination

When revising your answers, use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices. Identify the incorrect answers first, which can help you focus on the correct option. This technique is particularly useful for questions where multiple answers seem plausible.

Time Yourself

Effective revision also involves practicing under timed conditions. The SAT Writing and Language section is time-limited, so it’s important to manage your time effectively. Practice completing questions within the allotted time to build your speed and accuracy.

Analyze Your Mistakes

After completing practice questions or tests, take the time to analyze your mistakes. Understand why you got a question wrong and how you can avoid similar errors in the future. This reflective practice can be one of the most powerful revision tools.

Seek Feedback

If possible, seek feedback on your writing from teachers, tutors, or peers. They can provide valuable insights into areas where you might need improvement. Constructive feedback can help you refine your revision strategy and focus on your weak points.

Use Revision Checklists

Create a revision checklist based on the common errors and areas you need to work on. As you revise, tick off each item on the list to ensure that you’ve covered all the important aspects of your writing. Checklists can help you stay organized and focused during revision.

Incorporate Reading into Your Revision

Reading high-quality writing, such as editorials, articles, and literature, can indirectly improve your SAT Writing score. Exposure to well-written material can help you develop a stronger sense of grammar, sentence structure, and style, which you can apply to your own writing.

Revise Regularly

Consistent revision is key to improvement. Set aside dedicated time each week to revise for the SAT Writing section. Regular practice will reinforce your learning and help you retain important concepts.

Additional Tips for Last-Minute Revision

If you’re close to your test date, here are some last-minute revision tips to help you maximize your score:

Focus on Your Weakest Areas

In the final days leading up to the exam, concentrate on revising your weakest areas. Whether it’s grammar rules or sentence structure, targeting these areas can help you make the most significant improvements in a short time.

Use Flashcards for Quick Revision

Create flashcards with key grammar rules, common errors, and tips for improving writing clarity. Review these flashcards in the days before your exam for a quick refresher.

Practice with Timed Tests

Take at least one full-length, timed practice test in the days before your exam. This will help you gauge your timing and identify any last-minute areas that need attention.

Stay Calm and Focused

Finally, it’s important to stay calm and focused during your revision. Stress can hinder your ability to retain information and perform well on the test. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to keep your mind clear and focused.

Also Read: Recent 100+ SAT Exam Math Questions 2024: Download Free Practice Test Top 10 SAT Tips to Help You Study and Ace the Exam in 2024 SAT Math Formulas You MUST Know Lowest SAT Score Accepted 2024 | Minimum SAT Score Requirements for Top Colleges

Improving your SAT Writing score is achievable with the right approach to revision. By focusing on key areas like grammar, sentence structure, and clarity, and by employing effective revision techniques, you can enhance your writing skills and perform better on test day. Remember that consistent practice and reflection on your mistakes are essential to your progress. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to boost your SAT Writing score and achieve your target.

How to Improve Your SAT Writing Score-FAQs

How can i improve my sat essay score.

1: State Your Thesis Clearly. 2: Don’t Forget to Include a Conclusion and an Introduction. 3: Make Sensible Word and Language Choices. 4: Utilize Only Details Found in the Passage. 5: Concentrate on Important Information in Your Essay. 6: Before reading the passage, read the prompt.

Is it possible to get 800 in SAT English?

Additionally, the separate Reading and Writing test scores are combined to create the single 800 Reading + Writing score on the SAT. Strictly speaking, the 800 Reading and Writing score requires a flawless 40/40 exam result, which is what I mean when I talk about a perfect Reading test score.

What is a good SAT writing score?

It’s safe to say that if you score a 3 or below, your essay score is definitely lower than average; if you score a 4-6, your score is pretty average; and if you score a 7 or above, your score is significantly higher than average because so many people score in the middle on the SAT Essay Reading and Writing exam.

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