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10 Ways To Hinder Your Essay This article was originally written for college applicants, however the writing tips are valuable for other types of writing as well. One Size Fits All
Creating one essay to fit all schools is not a recipe for success. In addition to reflecting your individuality, your essay must reflect the individuality of the school(s) to which you are applying. Simply changing the school’s name, and a couple of other pieces of information is not enough to accomplish this task. Admissions officers can often spot the “form” essay for what it is, a lack of serious interest in their particular school. To add insult to injury, many students mistakenly leave the wrong college’s name somewhere in the body of their essays. Image is Everything
Avoid focusing on money, power, or glamour as a reason for your interest in a school’s program. To do so puts you at risk of appearing immature and shallow. While rankings or the average salary of alumni are important to many students, it is absolutely inappropriate material for an application essay. Image is everything; so make sure not to taint yours with a blatant lack of depth. Thesaurus Abuse
Augmenting your prose with bombastic embellishments originating from voluminous manuscripts of an etymological nature will result in either an alacritous exodus from the stack of contention or an existence of jocularity but of no great consequence. Plus, it will sounds un-natural, stiff, impersonal, and juvenile. All Praise to Me
While you may be the pinnacle of academic existence - valedictorian, class president, voted most popular, 99% SAT scores, etc., using your essay as a boast sheet may leave your reader with the impression that you are dishonest or insincere. You may be one of the best candidates for admission that your reader will see this year, but a little humility will go a long way. Besides, you are more than the sum total of your accomplishments. So be sure to show them who you are, not just what you’ve done. Would You Like Some Cheese with that Whine?
No one likes to read something that is filled with negativity, complaining, whining, and excuses. So, don’t use your entire essay to explain deficiencies, complain about the world, or wallow in self-pity. If you need to explain deficiencies, put it in a brief addendum, or subtly address the topic within a more positive framework. If life has been hard on you, save it for your therapist, or find a way to show how you have transcended your difficulties. Rebel Without a Cause
Rebellious anti-establishment rhetoric is cool for poetry night at the local coffee shop, but it may put off an otherwise agreeable admissions counselor. A desire to change the world for the better is admirable, however an overwhelming anger toward it leaves the impression of naiveté and immaturity. If you have strong convictions about something that you don’t like, save them for your graduation thesis, or find a way to express your convictions in a positive manner. Remember, you are applying to an institution of higher education. If I had a Nickel for every Cliché
Birds of a feather are worth two in the hand, and you should never rock the ship over troubled waters. In all seriousness, you should avoid using clichés for you run the risk of sounding trite, or worse yet, misusing the cliché. The Borrowed Pen
Using someone else’s essay, slightly changing someone’s essay and using it, or letting someone else write your essay for you is unethical, endangers your application, and can never reflect your potential the way your own work can. It is wise to seek inspiration, guidance, and advice from others, but do not let anyone write your essay for you! You are my Therapist
Writing about something overly personal can give the admissions committee something by which to remember you - the heebeegeebees. They do want to know the real you, but not the stomach churning, heartbreaking, gory details. As a prospective student you must convey an image of strength and promise, so refrain from writing an essay that appears directed toward a diary, therapist, or clergy member. No Structure/Bad Grammar
Spelling and grammar errors run on sentences Rambling, no intro, topic sentences, conclusion are bad if you want to succeed in getting admission and going to the school of your choice. Forgetting to proofread. That can be bad. Spellcheck is grate butt can miss things two. Sea what we mean? Need professional writing? Inquire about DivaDesignWorld's affordable copywriting services.
About the Author: Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency, DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services. She is also the founder of divadirectories.com,a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of female business owners throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Northwest.
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