common mistakes in narrative essay

Useful Links

6 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Narrative Essay

Wondering how can you write the best narrative essay? Apart from setting scene and character development, there are more things you need to get right for writing a perfect one.

That being said, this interesting blog post focuses on common mistakes a writer makes when writing a narrative essay. Let’s analyze those shortcomings in detail below.

Table of Contents

Common Mistakes A Writer Needs to Avoid While Writing a Narrative Essay

Lack of clear structure.

Weak Introduction:  Steer clear of those tired old sayings and sweeping generalizations. Hook your reader from the get-go with something interesting or gripping.

Incoherent Flow:  Make sure your transitions between paragraphs and thoughts flow nicely, creating a story that all fits together.

Ignoring Character Development

Underdeveloped Characters:  Your characters should have lots of different sides to them. Try to make sure that you show their different qualities, feelings and what drives them to do the things they do.

Lack of Dialogue:  Chatting can really bring your characters to life and make the story pop. It’s a great way to show who they are and progress the plot.

Neglecting Descriptive Elements

Sparse Description:  Get the reader to really feel what’s happening by painting a detailed picture of the surroundings, emotions, and actions.

Overloading with Details:  Don’t go overboard with too many details that could end up confusing the reader. Pick out the most important bits to make the story really stand out.

Forgetting the Theme or Message

Unclear Purpose:  Make sure what you’re writing has a point or a moral to it. You should have a lesson or something valuable that the reader can learn from the story.

Inconsistent Theme:  Keep your eye on the main idea throughout the story. Don’t go off on any unrelated detours.

Weak Conclusion

Abrupt Endings:  Wrapping up the essay, give a brief overview of the main ideas or tie the story up with a resolution.

No Reflection:  Include a reflection or insight gained from the experience narrated. It helps in reinforcing the significance of the story.

Grammatical and Structural Errors

Spelling and Grammar Mistakes:  Check your essay for mistakes. Make sure you have the right punctuation, that all your verbs are in the same tense, and that your sentences are structured properly.

Run-on Sentences or Fragments:  Make sure your sentences aren’t too long or broken up. Keep it balanced so it’s easy to read.

Examples to Understand the Common Mistakes in Narrative Essay

Let’s create a scenario of a narrative essay that exhibits some of these common mistakes:

Title:  “The Adventure”

I’m a huge fan of the outdoors. Last summer, I went on a camping trip and it was an amazing experience that really changed my life.

We got to the campsite and it was gorgeous. We got our tents all setup and then took a hike. It was a pretty lengthy walk and we were worn out afterwards. We caught a glimpse of some wildlife which was pretty cool.

All of a sudden, the memory of my grandpa’s tale flashed into my head. It got me reflecting on existence. We cooked up some grub and cozied up near the blaze. It felt real nice. Afterward, we hit the sack.

I got up the following day and it was a beautiful day. We got all our stuff together and hit the road. That’s all folks!

Mistakes Highlighted

Weak Introduction: Rather than beginning with an interesting opening line, the essay kicks off with a pretty generic statement about how much I love the great outdoors.

Incoherent Flow: There doesn’t seem to be any kind of order to the story; it goes from camping to hiking all of a sudden, without any smooth changes.

Underdeveloped Characters: The people in the story (including the storyteller) aren’t all that interesting. There’s no details or feelings shared about any of them.

Sparse Description: There’s not much detail about the campsite, the hike, or the whole experience, so it’s tough for the reader to really imagine what it’s like.

Lack of Theme or Message: The narrator mentions some story their grandpa told, but they don’t really discuss what the story meant or what it was trying to say.

Abrupt Conclusion: The essay stops suddenly without thinking back on what happened or giving any deep understanding.

Example no. 2:

Title: “ A Day at the Park”

I went to the park last weekend. It was nice.

I spotted some ducks in the pond and they were adorable! After that, I had a blast on the swings and then I had a delicious sandwich.

As I headed out, I was reflecting on how beneficial parks can be for people. They’re really calming. Parks are definitely something to treasure.

Mistakes Highlighted:

Weak Introduction: The essay jumps right in without wasting any time to draw the reader in or set the mood.

Lack of Descriptive Elements: There’s not much detail about the park, how it looks or feels, so it’s hard for the reader to get a mental picture.

Underdeveloped Reflection: The last part of the piece barely touches on how important parks are without going into much depth or providing any meaningful understanding of the experience.

Sparse Character Development: It doesn’t look like the narrator has a lot of emotional depth to them or much to offer in terms of meaningful insight, they just skim the surface and don’t weave it into anything bigger.

Example no.3:

Title:  “The Adventure in the Woods”

I decided to go into the woods. It was okay.

I went for a walk and saw some tall trees. Then, I heard a noise which I think was an animal. It kinda scared me, so I decided to turn back.

As I was on my way back, I couldn’t help but consider how important it is to protect nature. It’s such a gift.

Weak Introduction: The essay jumps right in with an unexpected choice without giving any backstory or anything to spark the reader’s curiosity.

Lack of Descriptive Detail: Not giving much info on the woods, the surroundings, or what it’s like doesn’t give you a good idea of what it’s like.

Underdeveloped Conflict or Resolution: Not providing a lot of detail about the woods, the environment, or the experience doesn’t give you a clear image.

Superficial Reflection: In the end, it just quickly mentions how important nature is, but doesn’t give any personal experiences or thoughts.

Expert Tips for Avoiding these Mistakes

Crafting a strong introduction.

Start with a Hook:  Start off strong by grabbing your reader’s attention right away. Draw them in with something captivating, a thought-provoking query, or a fascinating detail.

Set the Scene:  Give readers a glimpse of the world they’re about to explore. Who are the characters, where are they, and what kind of trouble are they in? Let them know what’s at stake and why they should keep reading.

Structuring the Narrative

Outline Your Story : Figure out what needs to happen in your story and make a plan of the order it should go in before you start writing. This will help you keep the storytelling going smoothly.

Use Transitions:  Using words or phrases to link one thought to the next is a great way to make sure your ideas, events, and paragraphs flow together seamlessly.

Developing Characters and Descriptions

Character Depth:  Give your characters depth by including details about their traits, feelings, goals, and struggles. Show what’s happening instead of just telling it.

Vivid Descriptions : Make sure to use vivid language to really draw the reader in and give them a sense of the setting, feelings, and events. Include as many details as possible to create an immersive experience.

Conveying a Theme or Message

Identify the Purpose:  Figure out what main idea or point you’re trying to get across in the story.

Show Reflection:  Think back on what you went through and figure out what you learned from it, emphasizing how important the story is.

Crafting a Strong Conclusion

Summarize and Reflect : To sum it up, the main points of the narrative are clear. We can see the impact that the experience had, and what we can learn from it. To bring things to a close, it’s important to reflect on what we’ve taken away from this and how it can help us in the future.

Leave an Impression : Make sure the ending sticks with the reader by emphasizing the moral or point of the story.

Review and Revision Process

Multiple Drafts:  Try writing multiple versions of your story to really get it honed in. Revising it will help make it more interesting and give it a better flow.

Seek Feedback:  Send your essay to some friends, teachers, or writing groups for different ideas and feedback that can help you improve it.

Continuous Improvement

Read Widely:  Check out different kinds of stories and types of writing to broaden your way of telling tales.

Practice Writing:  Regularly practice crafting narratives, and experimenting with different styles, structures, and themes to enhance your storytelling skills.

Crafting an interesting narrative essay requires a blend of good storytelling and a good structure. If you can steer clear of these usual mistakes, you can make your story really stand out and have a lasting impression on the reader.

Get Your Custom Essay Writing Solution From Our Professional Essay Writer's

Timely Deliveries

Premium Quality

Unlimited Revisions

Calculate Your Order Price

Related blogs.

Connections with Writers and support

Privacy and Confidentiality Guarantee

Average Quality Score

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/narrative-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write an expository essay, how to write a descriptive essay | example & tips, how to write your personal statement | strategies & examples, what is your plagiarism score.

How to Write a Perfect Narrative Essay (Step-by-Step)

By Status.net Editorial Team on October 17, 2023 — 10 minutes to read

• Understanding a Narrative Essay Part 1
• Typical Narrative Essay Structure Part 2
• Narrative Essay Template Part 3
• Step 1. How to Choose Your Narrative Essay Topic Part 4
• Step 2. Planning the Structure Part 5
• Step 3. Crafting an Intriguing Introduction Part 6
• Step 4. Weaving the Narrative Body Part 7
• Step 5. Creating a Conclusion Part 8
• Step 6. Polishing the Essay Part 9
• Step 7. Feedback and Revision Part 10

Part 1 Understanding a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a form of writing where you share a personal experience or tell a story to make a point or convey a lesson. Unlike other types of essays, a narrative essay aims to engage your audience by sharing your perspective and taking them on an emotional journey.

• To begin, choose a meaningful topic . Pick a story or experience that had a significant impact on your life, taught you something valuable, or made you see the world differently. You want your readers to learn from your experiences, so choose something that will resonate with others.
• Next, create an outline . Although narrative essays allow for creative storytelling, it’s still helpful to have a roadmap to guide your writing. List the main events, the characters involved, and the settings where the events took place. This will help you ensure that your essay is well-structured and easy to follow.
• When writing your narrative essay, focus on showing, not telling . This means that you should use descriptive language and vivid details to paint a picture in your reader’s mind. For example, instead of stating that it was a rainy day, describe the sound of rain hitting your window, the feeling of cold wetness around you, and the sight of puddles forming around your feet. These sensory details will make your essay more engaging and immersive.
• Another key aspect is developing your characters . Give your readers an insight into the thoughts and emotions of the people in your story. This helps them connect with the story, empathize with the characters, and understand their actions. For instance, if your essay is about a challenging hike you took with a friend, spend some time describing your friend’s personality and how the experience impacted their attitude or feelings.
• Keep the pace interesting . Vary your sentence lengths and structures, and don’t be afraid to use some stylistic devices like dialogue, flashbacks, and metaphors. This adds more depth and dimension to your story, keeping your readers engaged from beginning to end.

Part 2 Typical Narrative Essay Structure

A narrative essay typically follows a three-part structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Introduction: Start with a hook to grab attention and introduce your story. Provide some background to set the stage for the main events.
• Body: Develop your story in detail. Describe scenes, characters, and emotions. Use dialogue when necessary to provide conversational elements.
• Conclusion: Sum up your story, revealing the lesson learned or the moral of the story. Leave your audience with a lasting impression.

Part 3 Narrative Essay Template

• 1. Introduction : Set the scene and introduce the main characters and setting of your story. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture for your reader and capture their attention.
• Body 2. Rising Action : Develop the plot by introducing a conflict or challenge that the main character must face. This could be a personal struggle, a difficult decision, or an external obstacle. 3. Climax : This is the turning point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak and the main character must make a critical decision or take action. 4. Falling Action : Show the consequences of the main character’s decision or action, and how it affects the rest of the story. 5. Resolution : Bring the story to a satisfying conclusion by resolving the conflict and showing how the main character has grown or changed as a result of their experiences.
• 6. Reflection/Conclusion : Reflect on the events of the story and what they mean to you as the writer. This could be a lesson learned, a personal realization, or a message you want to convey to your reader.

Part 4 Step 1. How to Choose Your Narrative Essay Topic

Brainstorming ideas.

Start by jotting down any ideas that pop into your mind. Think about experiences you’ve had, stories you’ve heard, or even books and movies that have resonated with you. Write these ideas down and don’t worry too much about organization yet. It’s all about getting your thoughts on paper.

Once you have a list, review your ideas and identify common themes or connections between them. This process should help you discover potential topics for your narrative essay.

Narrowing Down the Choices

After brainstorming, you’ll likely end up with a few strong contenders for your essay topic. To decide which topic is best, consider the following:

• Relevance : Is the topic meaningful for your audience? Will they be able to connect with it on a personal level? Consider the purpose of your assignment and your audience when choosing your topic.
• Detail : Do you have enough specific details to craft a vivid story? The more detail you can recall about the event, the easier it’ll be to write a compelling narrative.
• Emotional impact : A strong narrative essay should evoke emotions in your readers. Choose a topic that has the potential to elicit some emotional response from your target audience.

After evaluating your potential topics based on these criteria, you can select the one that best fits the purpose of your narrative essay.

Part 5 Step 2. Planning the Structure

Creating an outline.

Before you start writing your narrative essay, it’s a great idea to plan out your story. Grab a piece of paper and sketch out a rough outline of the key points you want to cover. Begin with the introduction, where you’ll set the scene and introduce your characters. Then, list the major events of your story in chronological order, followed by the climax and resolution. Organizing your ideas in an outline will ensure your essay flows smoothly and makes sense to your readers.

Detailing Characters, Settings, and Events

Taking time to flesh out the characters, settings, and events in your story will make it more engaging and relatable. Think about your main character’s background, traits, and motivations. Describe their appearance, emotions, and behavior in detail. This personal touch will help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Also, give some thought to the setting – where does the story take place? Be sure to include sensory details that paint a vivid picture of the environment. Finally, focus on the series of events that make up your narrative. Are there any twists and turns, or surprising moments? Address these in your essay, using vivid language and engaging storytelling techniques to captivate your readers.

Writing the Narrative Essay

Part 6 step 3. crafting an intriguing introduction.

To start your narrative essay, you’ll want to hook your reader with an interesting and engaging opening. Begin with a captivating sentence or question that piques curiosity and captures attention. For example, “Did you ever think a simple bus ride could change your life forever?” This kind of opening sets the stage for a compelling, relatable story. Next, introduce your main characters and provide a bit of context to help your readers understand the setting and background of the story.

Part 7 Step 4. Weaving the Narrative Body

The body of your essay is where your story unfolds. Here’s where you’ll present a series of events, using descriptive language and vivid details.

Remember to maintain a strong focus on the central theme or main point of your narrative.

Organize your essay chronologically, guiding your reader through the timeline of events.

As you recount your experience, use a variety of sensory details, such as sounds, smells, and tastes, to immerse your reader in the moment. For instance, “The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as my friends and I excitedly chattered about our upcoming adventure.”

Take advantage of dialogue to bring your characters to life and to reveal aspects of their personalities. Incorporate both internal and external conflicts, as conflict plays a crucial role in engaging your reader and enhancing the narrative’s momentum. Show the evolution of your characters and how they grow throughout the story.

Part 8 Step 5. Creating a Conclusion

Finally, to write a satisfying conclusion, reflect on the narrative’s impact and how the experience has affected you or your characters. Tie the narrative’s events together and highlight the lessons learned, providing closure for the reader.

Avoid abruptly ending your story, because that can leave the reader feeling unsatisfied. Instead, strive to create a sense of resolution and demonstrate how the events have changed the characters’ perspectives or how the story’s theme has developed.

For example, “Looking back, I realize that the bus ride not only changed my perspective on friendship, but also taught me valuable life lessons that I carry with me to this day.”

Part 9 Step 6. Polishing the Essay

Fine-tuning your language.

When writing a narrative essay, it’s key to choose words that convey the emotions and experiences you’re describing. Opt for specific, vivid language that creates a clear mental image for your reader. For instance, instead of saying “The weather was hot,” try “The sun scorched the pavement, causing the air to shimmer like a mirage.” This gives your essay a more engaging and immersive feeling.

Editing for Clarity and Concision

As you revise your essay, keep an eye out for redundancies and unnecessary words that might dilute the impact of your story. Getting to the point and using straightforward language can help your essay flow better. For example, instead of using “She was walking in a very slow manner,” you can say, “She strolled leisurely.” Eliminate filler words and phrases, keeping only the most pertinent information that moves your story forward.

Proofreading for Typos

Finally, proofread your essay carefully to catch any typos, grammatical errors, or punctuation mistakes. It’s always a good idea to have someone else read it as well, as they might catch errors you didn’t notice. Mistakes can be distracting and may undermine the credibility of your writing, so be thorough with your editing process.

Part 10 Step 7. Feedback and Revision

Gathering feedback.

After you’ve written the first draft of your narrative essay, it’s time to gather feedback from friends, family, or colleagues. Share your essay with a few trusted people who can provide insights and suggestions for improvement. Listen to their thoughts and be open to constructive criticism. You might be surprised by the different perspectives they offer, which can strengthen your essay.

Iterating on the Draft

Once you have collected feedback, it’s time to revise and refine your essay. Address any issues or concerns raised by your readers and incorporate their suggestions. Consider reorganizing your story’s structure, clarifying your descriptions, or adding more details based on the feedback you received.

As you make changes, continue to fine-tune your essay to ensure a smooth flow and a strong narrative. Don’t be afraid to cut out unnecessary elements or rework parts of your story until it’s polished and compelling.

Revision is a crucial part of the writing process, and taking the time to reflect on feedback and make improvements will help you create a more engaging and impactful narrative essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i create an engaging introduction.

Craft an attention-grabbing hook with a thought-provoking question, an interesting fact, or a vivid description. Set the stage for your story by introducing the time, place, and context for the events. Creating tension or raising curiosity will make your readers eager to learn more.

What strategies help develop strong characters?

To develop strong characters, consider the following:

• Give your characters distinct traits, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Provide a backstory to explain their actions and motivations.
• Use dialogue to present their personality, emotions, and relationships.
• Show how they change or evolve throughout your story.

How can I make my story flow smoothly with transitions?

Smooth transitions between scenes or events can create a more coherent and easy-to-follow story. Consider the following tips to improve your transitions:

• Use words and phrases like “meanwhile,” “later that day,” or “afterward” to signify changes in time.
• Link scenes with a common theme or element.
• Revisit the main characters or setting to maintain continuity.
• Introduce a twist or an unexpected event that leads to the next scene.

What are some tips for choosing a great narrative essay topic?

To choose an engaging narrative essay topic, follow these tips:

• Pick a personal experience or story that holds significance for you.
• Consider a challenge or a turning point you’ve faced in your life.
• Opt for a topic that will allow you to share emotions and lessons learned.
• Think about what your audience would find relatable, intriguing, or inspiring.

How do I wrap up my narrative essay with a strong conclusion?

A compelling conclusion restates the main events and highlights any lessons learned or growth in your character. Try to end on a thought-provoking note or leave readers with some food for thought. Finally, make sure your conclusion wraps up your story neatly and reinforces its overall message.

• How to Write a Perfect Project Plan? [The Easy Guide]
• How to Write a Thoughtful Apology Letter (Inspiring Examples)
• 5 Main Change Management Models: ADKAR vs Kubler Ross vs McKinsey 7S vs Lewin's vs Kotter’s 8 Step
• How to Write a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
• How to Write an Effective Performance Review (Essential Steps)
• How to Write Scope of Work - 7 Necessary Steps and 6 Best Practices

Narrative Essay

Personal Narrative Essay

Writing a Personal Narrative Essay: Everything You Need to Know

13 min read

People also read

Share this article

Writing a personal narrative essay can be a difficult task, but it's also an incredibly rewarding form of self-expression and a valuable tool in education. 

Whether you're a high school student preparing for college applications or a college student, focused on improving your narrative writing skills, this blog has everything you need. 

This blog will guide you through the process, providing expert tips and examples to help you succeed.

So let’s get right into it!

• 1. Understanding Personal Narrative Essays
• 2. 6 Steps on How to Write a Personal Narrative Essay
• 3. Personal Narrative Essay Examples
• 4. Expert Tips for Writing Personal Narrative Essays
• 5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Personal Narrative Essays

Understanding Personal Narrative Essays

A narrative essay may include the option to create fictional narratives or stories. However, a personal narrative essay involves sharing personal experiences or recounting stories from a first-person perspective.

Personal narratives allow the writer to reflect on their experiences and share insights, while also connecting with the reader on a personal level. 

This genre encourages self-expression and enhances one's storytelling and communication skills.

6 Steps on How to Write a Personal Narrative Essay

Writing a personal narrative essay involves several key factors. Let's delve into the essential steps of crafting a compelling personal narrative essay:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Topic

Selecting the perfect essay topic is a critical first step in the writing process. It will help you focus on the specific topic and maintain the flow; 

Here are some strategies to help you decide:

• Reflect on Personal Experiences: Start by considering your life experiences, especially those that have deeply impacted your thoughts, feelings, or personal growth.
• Identify a Lesson Learned: Go for a topic that involves a valuable lesson or transformative moment. This could be an insightful realization or an experience that left a lasting impression.
• Resonate with Your Reader: Ensure that your chosen topic not only resonates with you but can also connect with your audience. 

Here is a list of personal narrative essay topics you can choose from to get an idea:

• A Life-Changing Journey: Reflect on a travel experience that transformed your perspective.
• Overcoming a Fear: Share the story of how you conquered a significant fear or phobia.
• The Day Everything Changed: Describe a pivotal day in your life that had a profound impact.
• Lessons from Failure: Discuss a time when you faced failure and the valuable lessons you learned.
• An Unforgettable Family Event: Write about a memorable family gathering or celebration.
• A Milestone Achievement: Reflect on a significant achievement in your life and the journey to reach it.
• A Childhood Memory: Revisit a cherished childhood memory that continues to influence you.
• Navigating a Personal Challenge: Share the story of how you tackled a personal obstacle or adversity.
• An Unexpected Act of Kindness: Write about a time when someone's kindness made a lasting impression on you.
• A Cultural Experience: Discuss an encounter with a different culture that expanded your understanding of the world.

Take a look at this list of narrative essay topics to get inspiration for your essay. 

Step 2: Creating a Compelling Introduction

The introduction of your personal narrative essay is the reader's first encounter with your story. 

Here is what you should keep in mind while creating the introduction:

• Engage the Readers: An introduction can help engage your readers with a hook . Your opening should spark their interest and make them eager to read on.
• Starting Effectively: Provide an engaging anecdote, posing a thought-provoking question, or presenting a compelling fact related to your story.
• Thesis Statement: This brief yet impactful sentence guides your narrative, giving readers a sneak peek into your story's main point.  

Let’s take a look at the example below to help you have a better understanding:

The introduction effectively captures the reader's attention. It introduces the central theme and purpose of the narrative. It also sets the stage for the forthcoming story.

Step 3: Developing the Plot

The development of your narrative's plot is an important part of your personal narrative essay. 

Follow these guidelines:

• Structured Narrative : A clear sequence of events is crucial to make your story relatable and understandable. It ensures that your narrative flows smoothly.
• Readable Storyline: A well-developed plot has an easy-to-follow storyline. This enhances the credibility and relatability of your narrative, making it more engaging.

Let’s take a look at the example of the body paragraph to help you have a better understanding:

This paragraph smoothly transitions from the anticipation of a journey to the moment of boarding the train and then to the changing landscape, creating a smoother flow of events.

Step 4: Character Development

Enhancing your storytelling through character development is crucial for a captivating personal narrative essay. 

This element adds depth and relatability to your story, making it more engaging for readers. 

Here's how you can achieve it:

• Characterizing the Writer and Others: Portray yourself and other individuals in your narrative with authenticity and complexity. This makes the characters relatable and captivating.
• Influence on the Essay's Impact: Understand that character development shapes how readers perceive and understand your experiences. This can profoundly impact the essay's overall effect.

Let’s look at this example to understand how character development can be achieved:

This example effectively illustrates how character development can be a powerful tool in a personal narrative essay. It transforms a simple adventure story into a deeper exploration of personal growth and the dynamics between individuals. 

Step 5: Using Descriptive Language

To make your personal narrative more immersive, focus on these techniques:

• Vivid and Descriptive Language: Use vivid and descriptive words and phrases to create mental images and evoke emotions, allowing readers to step into your narrative.
• Sensory Details: Engage readers' senses - sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell - to bring your story to life.

This example portrays these techniques effectively:

This descriptive language creates a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. By engaging the senses, readers can step into the author's experience, making the story more engaging and memorable.

Step 6: Crafting a Memorable Conclusion

Your conclusion leaves a lasting impression. Consider these key aspects:

• Purpose of a Strong Conclusion: A strong conclusion ties up loose ends, provides insight, or conveys a meaningful message, resonating with readers.
• Leaving a Lasting Impression: Reflect on lessons learned, offer a thought-provoking statement, or leave readers with a powerful image or emotional impact.

Here is an example to help you have a better understanding:

This conclusion provides insight by emphasizing the transformative nature of the journey. It resonates with the reader through a reflection on life's unpredictabilities and the beauty of embracing the unknown.

Personal Narrative Essay Examples

Examples are incredibly helpful in understanding the art of personal narrative essay writing. 

Let's take a look at the personal narrative essay examples for inspiration and to help you understand the points made previously:

Here are some more examples you should consider:

High School Personal Narrative Essay

Personal Narrative Essay Example High School

College Personal Narrative Essay

Personal Narrative Essay Example College

Personal Narrative Essay 750 Words

Example of Personal Narrative Essay About Yourself

Take a look at some more narrative essay examples to have a better understanding of structuring your essays. 

Expert Tips for Writing Personal Narrative Essays

Here are some expert tips for writing personal narrative essays:

• Choose a Unique Perspective: Find a unique angle or perspective for your personal narrative essay. Whether it's a specific moment, a lesson learned, or a personal growth experience, a unique perspective can make your essay stand out.
• Stay True to Your Voice: While it's essential to follow the rules of writing, don't lose your unique voice. Personal narrative essays are about self-expression, so let your personality shine through in your writing.
• Reflect and Analyze: Don't just recount events; reflect on their significance and analyze how they shaped you. Mention what you learned from the experience and the insights you gained. 
• Show, Don't Tell: Instead of simply telling your readers about your experiences, show them through vivid descriptions and sensory details. 
• Use Dialogue Sparingly: Incorporate dialogue to make your story more dynamic and realistic. However, use it judiciously, focusing on the most crucial conversations that drive the plot or reveal character traits.
• Consider Your Audience: Keep your audience in mind while writing. Tailor your language and style to the intended readers to ensure your narrative resonates with them.
• Seek Feedback: Share your essay with peers, teachers, or mentors for constructive feedback. An outside perspective can help you refine your narrative and identify areas for improvement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Personal Narrative Essays

Here are common mistakes to avoid when writing personal narrative essays:

• Lack of Reflection: Failing to reflect on the significance of the events can make your narrative feel superficial. Don't just narrate; analyze and share insights or lessons learned.
• Neglecting Structure: A disorganized narrative can confuse readers. Ensure a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end. Use transitions to guide the reader through the story.
• Ignoring the Editing Process: Rushing to publish your essay without thorough editing can lead to grammar and spelling mistakes, as well as unclear or confusing passages. Take time to revise and proofread your work.
• Overly Complicated Language: Avoid using overly complex language or jargon that may alienate readers. Clear and concise language is often more effective.
• Inconsistency in Verb Tenses: Stick to one verb tense throughout the essay. Shifting between past and present tense can disrupt the narrative's flow.

So there you have it!

By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to write compelling personal narrative essays. You can craft compelling, meaningful stories that engage and resonate with your audience.

Are you in search of the best online essay writing service ? We have got you covered.

Our narrative essay writing service has experienced writers skilled in crafting high-quality essays. Whether it's a narrative essay or any other type, we're here to provide top-notch results.

So, get in touch with us today and experience the difference.

Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Best Narrative Essay Topics 2023 for Students

10+ Interesting Narrative Essay Examples Plus Writing Tips!

Crafting a Winning Narrative Essay Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

Top 20 Errors in Undergraduate Writing

Main navigation.

The Top Twenty: A Quick Guide to Troubleshooting Your Writing

Readers judge your writing by your control of certain conventions, which may change depending on your audience, purpose, and writing situation.  For example, your instructor may or may not mark errors in your paper if he’s more concerned with its argument or structure than he is with sentence-level correctness; he could also decide an error is not serious.  Some instructors may even see the errors listed below as stylistic options. However, a large-scale study by Andrea Lunsford and Karen Lunsford (2008) found that these errors are the most likely to attract readers’ negative attention.  Before handing in your papers, proofread them carefully for these errors, which are illustrated below in the sentences in italics.  

THE TOP TWENTY

1. wrong word.

Wrong word errors take a number of forms. They may convey a slightly different meaning than you intend ( compose instead of comprise ) or a completely wrong meaning ( prevaricate  instead of procrastinate ). They may also be as simple as a wrong preposition or other type of wrong word in an idiom.

Use your thesaurus and spell checker with care. If you select a word from a thesaurus without knowing its precise meaning or allow a spell checker to correct spelling automatically, you may make wrong-word errors. If prepositions and idioms are tricky for you, look up the standard usage.

Here are a couple of wrong word examples:

Did you catch my illusion to the Bible?

Illusion means “an erroneous perception of reality.” In the context of this sentence,  allusion was needed because it means "reference.”

Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene is a magnificent sixteenth-century allergy.

A spell checker replaced allegory with allergy.

2. Missing Comma after an Introductory Element

Use a comma after every introductory element—whether word, phrase or clause—to clarify where it ends and the rest of the sentence begins. When the introductory element is very short, you can skip the comma, but including it is never wrong.

Without a comma after the introductory element, it’s hard to see the location of the subject (“they”) in this sentence:

Determined to make their flight on time they rose at dawn.

3. Incomplete or Missing Documentation

Documentation practices vary from discipline to discipline.  But in academic and research writing, it’s a good idea to always cite your sources: omitting documentation can result in charges of plagiarism.

The examples below follow MLA style.  In this example, the page number of the print source for this quotation must be included.

The Social Media Bible defines social media as the “activities, practices, and behaviors among communities of people who gather online to share information, knowledge, and opinions using conversational media.”

And here, the source mentioned should be identified because it makes a specific, arguable claim:

According to one source, it costs almost twice an employee’s salary to recruit and train a replacement. 

Cite each source you refer to in the text, following the guidelines of the documentation style you are using. 

4. Vague Pronoun Reference

A pronoun (e.g., he, this, it) should refer clearly to the noun it replaces (called the antecedent).  If more than one word could be the antecedent, or if no specific antecedent is present, edit to make the meaning clear.

In this sentence, it possibly refers to more than one word:

If you put this handout in your binder, it may remind you of important tutoring strategies .

In some pronoun usage, the reference is implied but not stated.  Here, for example, you might wonder what which refers to:

The authoritarian school changed its cell phone policy, which many students resisted.

To improve this sentence, the writer needs to make explicit what students resisted.

5. Spelling

Even though technology now reviews much of our spelling for us, one of the top 20 most common errors is a spelling error.  That’s because spell checkers cannot identify many misspellings, and are most likely to miss homonyms (e.g., presence/presents), compound words incorrectly spelled as separate words, and proper nouns, particularly names. After you run the spell checker, proofread carefully for errors such as these:

Vladmir Putin is the controversial leader of Russia.

Every where she walked, she was reminded of him.

6. Mechanical Error with a Quotation

When we quote other writers, we bring their voices into our arguments.  Quotation marks crucially show where their words end and our own begin. 

Quotation marks come in pairs; don’t forget to open and close your quotations.  In most documentation styles (e.g., MLA Style), block quotations do not need quotations marks.  Consult your professor’s preferred style manual to learn how to present block quotations. 

Follow conventions when using quotation marks with other punctuation. Here, the comma should be placed inside the quotation marks:

"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction", Virginia Woolf argues.

7. Unnecessary Comma

We often have a choice about whether or not to use a comma.  But if we add them to our sentences when and where they are not needed, then we may obscure rather than clarify our meaning.

Do not use commas to set off restrictive elements that are necessary to the meaning of the words they modify.  Here, for example, no comma is needed to set off the restrictive phrase  of working parents , which is necessary to indicate which parents the sentence is talking about.

Many children, of working parents, walk home from school by themselves.

Do not use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet) when the conjunction does not join parts of a compound sentence.  In this example, no comma is needed before the word  and  because it joins two phrases that modify the same verb, applies.

  This social scourge can be seen in urban centers, and in rural outposts.

Do not use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series.

The students asked their TAs to review, the assignment rubric, a sample paper and their comments, before the end of the quarter.

Do not use a comma between a subject and verb.

Happily, the waiters, sat down during a break.

Do not use a comma between a verb and its object or complement.

On her way home from work, she bought, a book at the bookstore.

Do not use a comma between a preposition and its object.

On her way home from work, she bought a book at, the bookstore.

8. Unnecessary or Missing Capitalization

Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives, the first words of sentences, and important words in titles, along with certain words indicating directions and family relationships. Do not capitalize most other words. When in doubt, check a dictionary.

Financial Aid is a pressing concern for many University Students.

9. Missing Word

If you read your work outloud before submittingit, you are more likely to notice omitted words.  Be particularly careful not to omit words from quotations.

Soccer fans the globe rejoiced when the striker scored the second goal.

10. Faulty Sentence Structure

If a sentence starts out with one kind of structure and then changes to another kind, it will confuse readers.

The information that families have access to is what financial aid is available and thinking about the classes available, and how to register.

Maintain the grammatical pattern within a sentence.  Each sentence must have a subject and a verb, and the subjects and predicates must make sense together.  In the example above, thinking about the classes available does not help the reader understand the information families have access to.  Parallel structures can help your reader see the relationships among your ideas.  Here’s the sentence revised:

Families have access to information about financial aid, class availability, and registration.

11. Missing Comma with a Nonrestrictive Element

A nonrestrictive phrase or clause provides additional information that is not essential to the basic meaning of the sentence.  Use commas to set off a nonrestrictive element.

David who loved to read history was the first to head to the British Library.

The clause  who loved to read history does not affect the basic meaning of the sentence.  The clause could be taken out and the reader would still understand that David was the first to head to the British Library.  

12. Unnecessary Shift in Verb Tense

Verbs that shift from one tense to another with no clear reason can confuse readers.

Martin searched for a great horned owl.  He takes photographs of all the birds he sights.

13. Missing Comma in a Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses.  When the clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), use a comma before the conjunction to indicate a pause between the two thoughts.

Miranda drove her brother and her mother waited at home.

Without the comma, a reader may think at first that Miranda drove both her brother and her mother.

14. Unnecessary or Missing Apostrophe (including its/it's)

To make a noun possessive, add either an apostrophe and an s (Ed's phone) or an apostrophe alone (the girls’ bathroom). Do not use an apostrophe in the possessive pronouns ours, yours, and hers. Use its to mean belong to it; use it's only when you mean it is or it has.

Repeated viral infections compromise doctors immune systems.

The chef lifted the skillet off it’s hook.  Its a fourteen-inch, copper skillet.

15. Fused (run-on) Sentence

A fused sentence (also called a run-on) joins clauses that could each stand alone as a sentence with no punctuation or words to link them. Fused sentences must be either divided into separate sentences or joined by adding words or punctuation.

The house was flooded with light, the moon rose above the horizon.

He wondered what the decision meant he thought about it all night.

16. Comma Splice

A comma splice occurs when only a comma separates clauses that could each stand alone as a sentence. To correct a comma splice, you can insert a semicolon or period, connect the clauses with a word such as and/or/because, or restructure the sentence.

The students rushed the field, they tore down the goalposts. 

17. Lack of pronoun/antecedent agreement

Pronouns typically must agree with their antecedents in gender (male or female, if appropriate) and in number (singular or plural). Many indefinite pronouns, such as everyone and each, are always singular.  However,  they can be used to agree with a singular antecedent in order to use inclusive or gender-neutral language.  When antecedents are joined by or or nor, the pronoun must agree with the closer antecedent. A collection noun such as team can be either singular or plural, depending on whether the members are seen as a group or individuals.

Every guest left their shoes at the door.

18. Poorly Integrated Quotation

Quotations should be logically and smoothly integrated with the writing around them, the grammar of the quotation complementing the grammar of the neighboring prose.  They usually need to be introduced (with a signal phrase) rather than dropped abruptly into the writing.

An award-winning 2009 study of friendship "understanding social networks allows us to understand how indeed, in the case of humans, the whole comes to be greater than the sum of its parts" (Christakis and Fowler 26).

"Social networks are intricate things of beauty" (Christakis and Fowler xiii). Maintaining close friendships is good for your health.

19. Missing or Unnecessary Hyphen

A compound adjective requires a hyphen when it modifies a noun that follows it.

This article describes eighteenth century theater.

A two-word verb should not be hyphenated. 

The dealers want to buy-back the computers and refurbish them.

20. Sentence Fragment

A sentence fragment is part of a sentence that is presented as if it were a complete sentence.  The following illustrate the ways sentence fragments can be created:

Without a subject

The American colonists resisted British taxation.  And started the American Revolution.

No complete verb

The pink geranium blooming in its pot.

Beginning with a subordinating word

We visited the park. Where we threw the Frisbee.

These 20 most common errors can be avoided in your writing if you reserve time to proofread your final draft before submission.

Works Cited

Lunsford, Andrea A. and Karen J. Lunsford.  “Mistakes are a Fact of Life: A National Comparative Study.”   CCC 59 (2008) 781-806.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 3 great narrative essay examples + tips for writing.

General Education

A narrative essay is one of the most intimidating assignments you can be handed at any level of your education. Where you've previously written argumentative essays that make a point or analytic essays that dissect meaning, a narrative essay asks you to write what is effectively a story .

But unlike a simple work of creative fiction, your narrative essay must have a clear and concrete motif —a recurring theme or idea that you’ll explore throughout. Narrative essays are less rigid, more creative in expression, and therefore pretty different from most other essays you’ll be writing.

But not to fear—in this article, we’ll be covering what a narrative essay is, how to write a good one, and also analyzing some personal narrative essay examples to show you what a great one looks like.

What Is a Narrative Essay?

At first glance, a narrative essay might sound like you’re just writing a story. Like the stories you're used to reading, a narrative essay is generally (but not always) chronological, following a clear throughline from beginning to end. Even if the story jumps around in time, all the details will come back to one specific theme, demonstrated through your choice in motifs.

Unlike many creative stories, however, your narrative essay should be based in fact. That doesn’t mean that every detail needs to be pure and untainted by imagination, but rather that you shouldn’t wholly invent the events of your narrative essay. There’s nothing wrong with inventing a person’s words if you can’t remember them exactly, but you shouldn’t say they said something they weren’t even close to saying.

Another big difference between narrative essays and creative fiction—as well as other kinds of essays—is that narrative essays are based on motifs. A motif is a dominant idea or theme, one that you establish before writing the essay. As you’re crafting the narrative, it’ll feed back into your motif to create a comprehensive picture of whatever that motif is.

For example, say you want to write a narrative essay about how your first day in high school helped you establish your identity. You might discuss events like trying to figure out where to sit in the cafeteria, having to describe yourself in five words as an icebreaker in your math class, or being unsure what to do during your lunch break because it’s no longer acceptable to go outside and play during lunch. All of those ideas feed back into the central motif of establishing your identity.

The important thing to remember is that while a narrative essay is typically told chronologically and intended to read like a story, it is not purely for entertainment value. A narrative essay delivers its theme by deliberately weaving the motifs through the events, scenes, and details. While a narrative essay may be entertaining, its primary purpose is to tell a complete story based on a central meaning.

Unlike other essay forms, it is totally okay—even expected—to use first-person narration in narrative essays. If you’re writing a story about yourself, it’s natural to refer to yourself within the essay. It’s also okay to use other perspectives, such as third- or even second-person, but that should only be done if it better serves your motif. Generally speaking, your narrative essay should be in first-person perspective.

Though your motif choices may feel at times like you’re making a point the way you would in an argumentative essay, a narrative essay’s goal is to tell a story, not convince the reader of anything. Your reader should be able to tell what your motif is from reading, but you don’t have to change their mind about anything. If they don’t understand the point you are making, you should consider strengthening the delivery of the events and descriptions that support your motif.

Narrative essays also share some features with analytical essays, in which you derive meaning from a book, film, or other media. But narrative essays work differently—you’re not trying to draw meaning from an existing text, but rather using an event you’ve experienced to convey meaning. In an analytical essay, you examine narrative, whereas in a narrative essay you create narrative.

The structure of a narrative essay is also a bit different than other essays. You’ll generally be getting your point across chronologically as opposed to grouping together specific arguments in paragraphs or sections. To return to the example of an essay discussing your first day of high school and how it impacted the shaping of your identity, it would be weird to put the events out of order, even if not knowing what to do after lunch feels like a stronger idea than choosing where to sit. Instead of organizing to deliver your information based on maximum impact, you’ll be telling your story as it happened, using concrete details to reinforce your theme.

3 Great Narrative Essay Examples

One of the best ways to learn how to write a narrative essay is to look at a great narrative essay sample. Let’s take a look at some truly stellar narrative essay examples and dive into what exactly makes them work so well.

A Ticket to the Fair by David Foster Wallace

Today is Press Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, and I’m supposed to be at the fairgrounds by 9:00 A.M. to get my credentials. I imagine credentials to be a small white card in the band of a fedora. I’ve never been considered press before. My real interest in credentials is getting into rides and shows for free. I’m fresh in from the East Coast, for an East Coast magazine. Why exactly they’re interested in the Illinois State Fair remains unclear to me. I suspect that every so often editors at East Coast magazines slap their foreheads and remember that about 90 percent of the United States lies between the coasts, and figure they’ll engage somebody to do pith-helmeted anthropological reporting on something rural and heartlandish. I think they asked me to do this because I grew up here, just a couple hours’ drive from downstate Springfield. I never did go to the state fair, though—I pretty much topped out at the county fair level. Actually, I haven’t been back to Illinois for a long time, and I can’t say I’ve missed it.

Throughout this essay, David Foster Wallace recounts his experience as press at the Illinois State Fair. But it’s clear from this opening that he’s not just reporting on the events exactly as they happened—though that’s also true— but rather making a point about how the East Coast, where he lives and works, thinks about the Midwest.

In his opening paragraph, Wallace states that outright: “Why exactly they’re interested in the Illinois State Fair remains unclear to me. I suspect that every so often editors at East Coast magazines slap their foreheads and remember that about 90 percent of the United States lies between the coasts, and figure they’ll engage somebody to do pith-helmeted anthropological reporting on something rural and heartlandish.”

Not every motif needs to be stated this clearly , but in an essay as long as Wallace’s, particularly since the audience for such a piece may feel similarly and forget that such a large portion of the country exists, it’s important to make that point clear.

But Wallace doesn’t just rest on introducing his motif and telling the events exactly as they occurred from there. It’s clear that he selects events that remind us of that idea of East Coast cynicism , such as when he realizes that the Help Me Grow tent is standing on top of fake grass that is killing the real grass beneath, when he realizes the hypocrisy of craving a corn dog when faced with a real, suffering pig, when he’s upset for his friend even though he’s not the one being sexually harassed, and when he witnesses another East Coast person doing something he wouldn’t dare to do.

Wallace is literally telling the audience exactly what happened, complete with dates and timestamps for when each event occurred. But he’s also choosing those events with a purpose—he doesn’t focus on details that don’t serve his motif. That’s why he discusses the experiences of people, how the smells are unappealing to him, and how all the people he meets, in cowboy hats, overalls, or “black spandex that looks like cheesecake leotards,” feel almost alien to him.

All of these details feed back into the throughline of East Coast thinking that Wallace introduces in the first paragraph. He also refers back to it in the essay’s final paragraph, stating:

At last, an overarching theory blooms inside my head: megalopolitan East Coasters’ summer treats and breaks and literally ‘getaways,’ flights-from—from crowds, noise, heat, dirt, the stress of too many sensory choices….The East Coast existential treat is escape from confines and stimuli—quiet, rustic vistas that hold still, turn inward, turn away. Not so in the rural Midwest. Here you’re pretty much away all the time….Something in a Midwesterner sort of actuates , deep down, at a public event….The real spectacle that draws us here is us.

Throughout this journey, Wallace has tried to demonstrate how the East Coast thinks about the Midwest, ultimately concluding that they are captivated by the Midwest’s less stimuli-filled life, but that the real reason they are interested in events like the Illinois State Fair is that they are, in some ways, a means of looking at the East Coast in a new, estranging way.

The reason this works so well is that Wallace has carefully chosen his examples, outlined his motif and themes in the first paragraph, and eventually circled back to the original motif with a clearer understanding of his original point.

When outlining your own narrative essay, try to do the same. Start with a theme, build upon it with examples, and return to it in the end with an even deeper understanding of the original issue. You don’t need this much space to explore a theme, either—as we’ll see in the next example, a strong narrative essay can also be very short.

Death of a Moth by Virginia Woolf

After a time, tired by his dancing apparently, he settled on the window ledge in the sun, and, the queer spectacle being at an end, I forgot about him. Then, looking up, my eye was caught by him. He was trying to resume his dancing, but seemed either so stiff or so awkward that he could only flutter to the bottom of the window-pane; and when he tried to fly across it he failed. Being intent on other matters I watched these futile attempts for a time without thinking, unconsciously waiting for him to resume his flight, as one waits for a machine, that has stopped momentarily, to start again without considering the reason of its failure. After perhaps a seventh attempt he slipped from the wooden ledge and fell, fluttering his wings, on to his back on the window sill. The helplessness of his attitude roused me. It flashed upon me that he was in difficulties; he could no longer raise himself; his legs struggled vainly. But, as I stretched out a pencil, meaning to help him to right himself, it came over me that the failure and awkwardness were the approach of death. I laid the pencil down again.

In this essay, Virginia Woolf explains her encounter with a dying moth. On surface level, this essay is just a recounting of an afternoon in which she watched a moth die—it’s even established in the title. But there’s more to it than that. Though Woolf does not begin her essay with as clear a motif as Wallace, it’s not hard to pick out the evidence she uses to support her point, which is that the experience of this moth is also the human experience.

In the title, Woolf tells us this essay is about death. But in the first paragraph, she seems to mostly be discussing life—the moth is “content with life,” people are working in the fields, and birds are flying. However, she mentions that it is mid-September and that the fields were being plowed. It’s autumn and it’s time for the harvest; the time of year in which many things die.

In this short essay, she chronicles the experience of watching a moth seemingly embody life, then die. Though this essay is literally about a moth, it’s also about a whole lot more than that. After all, moths aren’t the only things that die—Woolf is also reflecting on her own mortality, as well as the mortality of everything around her.

At its core, the essay discusses the push and pull of life and death, not in a way that’s necessarily sad, but in a way that is accepting of both. Woolf begins by setting up the transitional fall season, often associated with things coming to an end, and raises the ideas of pleasure, vitality, and pity.

At one point, Woolf tries to help the dying moth, but reconsiders, as it would interfere with the natural order of the world. The moth’s death is part of the natural order of the world, just like fall, just like her own eventual death.

All these themes are set up in the beginning and explored throughout the essay’s narrative. Though Woolf doesn’t directly state her theme, she reinforces it by choosing a small, isolated event—watching a moth die—and illustrating her point through details.

With this essay, we can see that you don’t need a big, weird, exciting event to discuss an important meaning. Woolf is able to explore complicated ideas in a short essay by being deliberate about what details she includes, just as you can be in your own essays.

Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

On the twenty-ninth of July, in 1943, my father died. On the same day, a few hours later, his last child was born. Over a month before this, while all our energies were concentrated in waiting for these events, there had been, in Detroit, one of the bloodiest race riots of the century. A few hours after my father’s funeral, while he lay in state in the undertaker’s chapel, a race riot broke out in Harlem. On the morning of the third of August, we drove my father to the graveyard through a wilderness of smashed plate glass.

Like Woolf, Baldwin does not lay out his themes in concrete terms—unlike Wallace, there’s no clear sentence that explains what he’ll be talking about. However, you can see the motifs quite clearly: death, fatherhood, struggle, and race.

Throughout the narrative essay, Baldwin discusses the circumstances of his father’s death, including his complicated relationship with his father. By introducing those motifs in the first paragraph, the reader understands that everything discussed in the essay will come back to those core ideas. When Baldwin talks about his experience with a white teacher taking an interest in him and his father’s resistance to that, he is also talking about race and his father’s death. When he talks about his father’s death, he is also talking about his views on race. When he talks about his encounters with segregation and racism, he is talking, in part, about his father.

Because his father was a hard, uncompromising man, Baldwin struggles to reconcile the knowledge that his father was right about many things with his desire to not let that hardness consume him, as well.

Baldwin doesn’t explicitly state any of this, but his writing so often touches on the same motifs that it becomes clear he wants us to think about all these ideas in conversation with one another.

At the end of the essay, Baldwin makes it more clear:

This fight begins, however, in the heart and it had now been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair. This intimation made my heart heavy and, now that my father was irrecoverable, I wished that he had been beside me so that I could have searched his face for the answers which only the future would give me now.

Here, Baldwin ties together the themes and motifs into one clear statement: that he must continue to fight and recognize injustice, especially racial injustice, just as his father did. But unlike his father, he must do it beginning with himself—he must not let himself be closed off to the world as his father was. And yet, he still wishes he had his father for guidance, even as he establishes that he hopes to be a different man than his father.

In this essay, Baldwin loads the front of the essay with his motifs, and, through his narrative, weaves them together into a theme. In the end, he comes to a conclusion that connects all of those things together and leaves the reader with a lasting impression of completion—though the elements may have been initially disparate, in the end everything makes sense.

You can replicate this tactic of introducing seemingly unattached ideas and weaving them together in your own essays. By introducing those motifs, developing them throughout, and bringing them together in the end, you can demonstrate to your reader how all of them are related. However, it’s especially important to be sure that your motifs and clear and consistent throughout your essay so that the conclusion feels earned and consistent—if not, readers may feel mislead.

5 Key Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Narrative essays can be a lot of fun to write since they’re so heavily based on creativity. But that can also feel intimidating—sometimes it’s easier to have strict guidelines than to have to make it all up yourself. Here are a few tips to keep your narrative essay feeling strong and fresh.

Develop Strong Motifs

Motifs are the foundation of a narrative essay . What are you trying to say? How can you say that using specific symbols or events? Those are your motifs.

In the same way that an argumentative essay’s body should support its thesis, the body of your narrative essay should include motifs that support your theme.

Try to avoid cliches, as these will feel tired to your readers. Instead of roses to symbolize love, try succulents. Instead of the ocean representing some vast, unknowable truth, try the depths of your brother’s bedroom. Keep your language and motifs fresh and your essay will be even stronger!

Use First-Person Perspective

In many essays, you’re expected to remove yourself so that your points stand on their own. Not so in a narrative essay—in this case, you want to make use of your own perspective.

Sometimes a different perspective can make your point even stronger. If you want someone to identify with your point of view, it may be tempting to choose a second-person perspective. However, be sure you really understand the function of second-person; it’s very easy to put a reader off if the narration isn’t expertly deployed.

If you want a little bit of distance, third-person perspective may be okay. But be careful—too much distance and your reader may feel like the narrative lacks truth.

That’s why first-person perspective is the standard. It keeps you, the writer, close to the narrative, reminding the reader that it really happened. And because you really know what happened and how, you’re free to inject your own opinion into the story without it detracting from your point, as it would in a different type of essay.

Stick to the Truth

Your essay should be true. However, this is a creative essay, and it’s okay to embellish a little. Rarely in life do we experience anything with a clear, concrete meaning the way somebody in a book might. If you flub the details a little, it’s okay—just don’t make them up entirely.

Also, nobody expects you to perfectly recall details that may have happened years ago. You may have to reconstruct dialog from your memory and your imagination. That’s okay, again, as long as you aren’t making it up entirely and assigning made-up statements to somebody.

Dialog is a powerful tool. A good conversation can add flavor and interest to a story, as we saw demonstrated in David Foster Wallace’s essay. As previously mentioned, it’s okay to flub it a little, especially because you’re likely writing about an experience you had without knowing that you’d be writing about it later.

However, don’t rely too much on it. Your narrative essay shouldn’t be told through people explaining things to one another; the motif comes through in the details. Dialog can be one of those details, but it shouldn’t be the only one.

Use Sensory Descriptions

Because a narrative essay is a story, you can use sensory details to make your writing more interesting. If you’re describing a particular experience, you can go into detail about things like taste, smell, and hearing in a way that you probably wouldn’t do in any other essay style.

These details can tie into your overall motifs and further your point. Woolf describes in great detail what she sees while watching the moth, giving us the sense that we, too, are watching the moth. In Wallace’s essay, he discusses the sights, sounds, and smells of the Illinois State Fair to help emphasize his point about its strangeness. And in Baldwin’s essay, he describes shattered glass as a “wilderness,” and uses the feelings of his body to describe his mental state.

All these descriptions anchor us not only in the story, but in the motifs and themes as well. One of the tools of a writer is making the reader feel as you felt, and sensory details help you achieve that.

What’s Next?

Looking to brush up on your essay-writing capabilities before the ACT? This guide to ACT English will walk you through some of the best strategies and practice questions to get you prepared!

Part of practicing for the ACT is ensuring your word choice and diction are on point. Check out this guide to some of the most common errors on the ACT English section to be sure that you're not making these common mistakes!

A solid understanding of English principles will help you make an effective point in a narrative essay, and you can get that understanding through taking a rigorous assortment of high school English classes !

Need more help with this topic? Check out Tutorbase!

Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect person for your needs.

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

ORDER YOUR PAPER

15% off today

from a verified trusted writer

Narrative essay writing: common mistakes to avoid

Show your audience-don't tell them, lack of suspense and foreshadowing, information overload, mistakes with dialogue, our top writers.

Master's in Project Management, PMP, Six Sigma

7196 written pages

2401 orders

2257 a+ papers

My Master’s degree and comprehensive writing experience allow me to complete any order fast and hit the nail on the head every time.

MBA, PMP, ITIL

934 written pages

283 a+ papers

I am experienced writer with an MBA, PMP, ITIL, that consistently delivers unique, quality papers. I take pride in my experience and quickness.

MS in Human Resource Management

1791 written pages

552 a+ papers

I hold a MS degree in Human Resource and my goal is to help students with flawless, unique papers, delivered on time.

RN, MSN, PCN, PHN

4536 written pages

719 a+ papers

As Registered Nurse (RN, PCN), I can quickly deal with any medical paper. My expertise and writing skills are perfect for this job.

22869 written pages

2287 orders

2104 a+ papers

I have MPA, MHA degrees but, most importantly, experience and skills to provide unique, well-written papers on time.

DNP, BA, APN, PMHNP-BC

4142 written pages

365 a+ papers

I can write about multiple areas and countless topics, as I have a DNP and BA degrees. High-quality writing is my second name.

PhD in American History

6271 written pages

824 a+ papers

A PhD in American history comes handy. Unique papers, any topics, swift delivery — helping with academic writing is my passion.

MA, PsyD, LMFT

15458 written pages

3867 orders

3635 a+ papers

Incredibly fast PsyD writer. Efficient paper writing for college. Hundreds of different tasks finished. Satisfaction guaranteed.

MEd, NCC, LPC, LMFT

2029 written pages

484 a+ papers

Top-ranked writer with tons of experience. Ready to take on any task, and make it unique, as well as objectively good. Always ready!

MSW, LICSWA, DSW-C

5609 written pages

539 a+ papers

Experienced Social Work expert focused on good writing, total uniqueness, and customer satisfaction. My goal — to help YOU.

• Stats & Feedback

Have your tasks done by our professionals to get the best possible results.

NO Billing information is kept with us. You pay through secure and verified payment systems.

All papers we provide are of the highest quality with a well-researched material, proper format and citation style.

Our 24/7 Support team is available to assist you at any time. You also can communicate with your writer during the whole process.

You are the single owner of the completed order. We DO NOT resell any papers written by our expert

All orders are done from scratch following your instructions. Also, papers are reviewed for plagiarism and grammar mistakes.

You can check the quality of our work by looking at various paper examples in the Samples section on our website.

Thank you for the research paper on Saudi legal system. It was rather good and only some parts needed revision. The writer was attentive and fixed the paper when I requested. your support is amazing as well!

HI there! This was my first order. I had only 9 hours to submit paper and no time to finish it. Some personal problems, you know=) So I have decided to use your service. And you know what guys? You really saved my...hmm....reputation??!!! Thanks!

• High School $11.23 page 14 days
• College $12.64 page 14 days
• Undergraduate $13.2 page 14 days
• Graduate $14.08 page 14 days
• PhD $14.59 page 14 days

Free samples of our work

There are different types of essays: narrative, persuasive, compare\contrast, definition and many many others. They are written using a required citation style, where the most common are APA and MLA. We want to share some of the essays samples written on various topics using different citation styles.

• Essay Writing
• Term Paper Writing
• Research Paper Writing
• Coursework Writing
• Case Study Writing
• Article Writing
• Article Critique
• Annotated Bibliography Writing
• Research Proposal
• Thesis Proposal
• Dissertation Writing
• Admission / Application Essay
• Editing and Proofreading
• Multiple Choice Questions
• Group Project
• Lab Report Help
• Statistics Project Help
• Math Problems Help
• Buy Term Paper
• Term Paper Help
• Case Study Help
• Complete Coursework for Me
• Dissertation Editing Services
• Marketing Paper
• Bestcustomwriting.com Coupons
• Edit My Paper
• Hire Essay Writers
• Buy College Essay
• Custom Essay Writing
• Culture Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• Citation Styles
• Cause and Effect Essay
• 5 Paragraph Essay
• Paper Writing Service
• Help Me Write An Essay
• Write My Paper
• Research Paper Help
• Term Papers for Sale
• Write My Research Paper
• Homework Help
• College Papers For Sale
• Write My Thesis
• Coursework Assistance
• Custom Term Paper Writing
• Buy An Article Critique
• College Essay Help
• Paper Writers Online
• Write My Lab Report
• Mathematics Paper
• Write My Essay
• Do My Homework
• Buy a PowerPoint Presentation
• Buy a Thesis Paper
• Buy an Essay
• Comparison Essay
• Buy Discussion Post
• Buy Assignment
• Deductive Essay
• Exploratory Essay
• Literature Essay
• Narrative Essay
• Opinion Essay
• Take My Online Class
• Reflective Essay
• Response Essay
• Custom Papers
• Dissertation Help
• Buy Research Paper
• Criminal Law And Justice Essay
• Political Science Essay
• Pay for Papers
• College Paper Help
• How to Write a College Essay
• High School Writing
• Personal Statement Help
• Book Report
• Report Writing
• Cheap Coursework Help
• Literary Research Paper
• Essay Assistance
• Academic Writing Services
• Coursework Help
• Thesis Papers for Sale
• Coursework Writing Service UK

I have read and agree to the Terms of Use , Money Back Guarantee , Privacy and Cookie Policy of BestCustomWriting.com

Use your opportunity to get a discount!

To get your special discount, write your email below

Best papers and best prices !

Want to get quality paper done on time cheaper?

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Avoid Common Essay Mistakes

Last Updated: October 11, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 7,645 times.

No matter what field you're in, you will need to write an essay at some point in your life. Essays can be written in a variety of fields of study, styles, and genres. The amount of time dedicated to constructing an essay varies greatly from one assignment to the next. However, one of the ways that you can cut down on the amount of time spent writing an essay is to avoid common essay mistakes by learning how to compose an essay properly.

Pre-Writing

• For example, you do not want to compare all of Africa to all of Asia because that topic would be too broad or too general. Instead, you might write an essay that compares the Great Wall of China and the Great Pyramids of Giza, which is focused and specific topic, and which would provide you with enough information to craft an essay that is an appropriate length.

• Reading books on your selected topic.
• Browsing scholarly peer-reviewed articles on your topic. These articles can be found through your school’s library online databases and through search engines like Google Scholar.
• Reading magazine and news articles on your topic.
• Listening to radio interviews or podcasts about your topic.

• Wikipedia [4] X Research source
• Personal Blogs
• Vlogs or video blogs
• Satirical websites
• If you do read an article from a site like Wikipedia, check out the citations provided at the end of the article. Use those sources, rather than the Wikipedia article, in your essay.

• An introduction
• A thesis (your main argument or the main point of your essay)
• Supporting examples
• A conclusion

• An example of an arguable thesis would be: The government should decriminalize all drug use and rather than implementing punishment for people caught using drugs, a drug rehabilitation program should be put into place.

• Avoid ambiguous words, or words that shift in meaning depending on context. [11] X Trustworthy Source US Department of Health and Human Services Federal department responsible for improving the health and well-being of Americans Go to source
• Use words that have force or urgency by using active voice and avoiding passive voice. [12] X Research source
• Avoid professional jargon, highly technical terminology, or overly specialized terms, unless the audience has background knowledge on the subject. If you end up using a technical term or jargon for an article intended to be understood by anyone, be sure to define and explain it in simple terms.
• Utilize words that are understandable to a wide range of readers to avoid creating a document with an exclusionary readership, which will alienate all other readers.
• Avoid clichés. [13] X Research source You might like the idea of a cliché because it is easy to use, but clichés are frowned upon in essays. Clichés are old and overused turns of phrase. [14] X Research source Rather than using a cliché, you should be inventive and consider a new way to say what you might have otherwise communicated as a cliché. Consider avoiding the following:

• For example, if you are writing an essay on why the sky is blue, your essay would read very differently depending upon whether you are writing it for a college professor or for a class of elementary school children. Despite the fact that the reason for the sky being blue remains the same, your writing style and the included content (technical information, citations, explanation, and examples) should differ between the two audiences.

• Do I follow the appropriate structure?
• Do I have a strong thesis statement/main argument at the end of my introduction paragraph?
• Does everything that follows my thesis statement work to support it?
• Have I used enough outside sources?
• Have I properly incorporated my sources into my work?
• Have I properly cited my sources?
• Is my essay specific in its argumentation and logic?
• Is my writing clear and concise enough for a reader to follow without issue?

Editing and Proofreading

Expert Q&A

• Avoid clichés. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Avoid generalizations. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Procrastination will result in stress and frustration when you have a looming deadline. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure that you understand the assignment before you begin working on it to avoid confusion. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be a great essay writer immediately. Success comes with practice. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Never hand in your first draft as a completed essay. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://canuwrite.com/essay_topic.php
• ↑ http://young.scot/information/learning/how-to-do-research-for-an-essay/
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2010/march/The-Top-10-Reasons-Students-Cannot-Cite-or-Rely-on-Wikipedia.html
• ↑ http://www.jessicatiffin.org/common-student-essay-errors/
• ↑ https://www.sterling.edu/documents/academics/ThesisStatement.pdf
• ↑ http://www.jessicatiffin.org/common-student-essay-errors/#2
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/
• ↑ http://www.hhs.gov/web/building-and-managing-websites/web-requests/write-in-plain-language/index.html
• ↑ http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CCS_activevoice.html
• ↑ http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/10-tips-to-bypass-cliche-and-melodrama
• ↑ http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/how-to-avoid-clichés
• ↑ http://www.gbcnv.edu/documents/ASC/docs/00000057.pdf
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ http://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/vocabulary/

About this article

Did this article help you?

• About wikiHow
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

BibGuru Blog

Be more productive in school

• Citation Styles

Common essay writing mistakes and how to avoid them

Whether you’re writing a research paper , an argumentative essay , or an exploratory essay , there are some key mistakes that you want to avoid. In this post, we discuss common essay writing mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Failing to stay on topic

One common mistake when writing essays is failing to stay on topic. It's important to stay focused on the main idea and avoid introducing tangential information that does not contribute to the overall argument.

The best way to counteract this is by revising your work throughout the writing process. If you revise your work systematically, you will catch those places in your paper where you might be going off topic.

2. Not properly citing sources

Another common mistake is not properly citing your sources. It's important to give credit to the authors of any sources that you use in your essay, whether you’re quoting directly from a source or simply paraphrasing it.

Not citing your sources can lead to plagiarism , which can have serious consequences. To help avoid plagiarism, use an accurate citation generator like BibGuru . A citation app like BibGuru will also save you time.

3. Poor structure and organization

Because academic essays are often written in multiple steps, papers can become disorganized and disconnected. It's essential to have a clear introduction , body, and conclusion in your paper, and to make sure that each paragraph is focused on a specific point that supports your overall argument.

To combat poor structure or organization, try creating an outline and reading your drafts aloud. These methods will help you construct a more organized paper.

4. Quoting too much

Another mistake to avoid is relying too heavily on quotes, without providing your own analysis or interpretation. While it's necessary to support your arguments with evidence, it's also important to demonstrate your own understanding and critical thinking skills.

Choose quotes wisely and be sure to provide adequate analysis. A basic rule of thumb is that your analysis should be at least as long as the quote that you’re analyzing.

5. Not supporting claims with evidence

Whenever you make a claim in your essay, you need to support it with proper evidence and analysis. Many writers make the mistake of making claims that are not backed up by research. To avoid this, make a clear outline that connects each claim with accompanying evidence from your sources.

You should always strive to avoid making generalizations that cannot be properly proved. Also, choose the best possible evidence from your research, not simply the first few results from Google or an academic database .

6 . Not proofreading

One of the biggest mistakes that academic writers make is not planning enough time to properly proofread their papers. Make time for proofreading your work before you turn it in.

Watch out for spelling or grammar mistakes and make note of places in your essay that may be confusing or overwritten. Aim for a tone that is appropriate for the audience and purpose of your essay.

7 . Procrastination

Finally, avoid procrastination. Writing an essay can be a time-consuming process and waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed and poorly written work. Make a plan and set aside dedicated time for researching, outlining, and writing your essay.

The bottom line

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve the quality of your essays and achieve better grades. Remember to give yourself enough time to plan, research, and write your essay, and to seek feedback from others to help improve your writing skills.

Frequently Asked Questions about common essay writing mistakes

Firstly, you should avoid procrastinating when you’re writing an essay. Other things to avoid include plagiarism, poor organization, and not proofreading.

A bad essay is poorly organized, full of grammar and spelling mistakes, wordy and digressive, and/or plagiarized.

Common essay writing mistakes include: failing to stay on topic, not properly citing sources, poor organization, quoting too much, not providing enough evidence and analysis, not proofreading, and procrastination.

The best essays have a well-written introduction, a clearly identifiable thesis, strong signposts, a state of the field or literature review, solid body paragraphs that present evidence and analysis, a clear conclusion, and an accurate bibliography.

Different types of essays may be harder to write than others. However, many writers struggle to come up with a clear and defendable thesis statement. Students also struggle with creating accurate citations and bibliographies.

Make your life easier with our productivity and writing resources.

For students and teachers.

Productivity

Productivity tips

Write better: The 10 most common writing mistakes you should avoid

A former editor of mine once described wordy article introductions as "throat-clearing," as in, this person doesn't know yet what they're trying to say, so they're hemming and hawing before getting to the point.

You could chalk it up to writers liking to explain things or the need to dramatically set up the scene, but when it comes to everyday non-fiction writing—especially on the web—it's usually better to get to the hook as quickly as possible. The clock is ticking.

(Already I've spent too much time on this intro.)

If you want to polish your prose—whether you're writing a blog post, an email, or a report for your team—the next time you get to typing, consult this checklist of common writing mistakes. It'll help you communicate more clearly and put the focus on what you're saying rather than on stray commas or needless words.

Thanks to the editors, writers, and readers who chimed in with their advice for this post, which no doubt has several errors in it. Let's just consider them Easter eggs.

Table of contents

Explanations are handwavy or lacking backup

Passive voice

Too many words

The conclusion doesn't conclude or doesn't exist

Homophone confusion

Apostrophe catastrophes

Comma and semicolon confusion

Repetitive words

Misused words

The most common m ajor writing mistakes

When approaching a piece of writing, most editors first check for the big picture to do "macro edits." Here, we're dealing with the content of the story—how it flows, if it all makes sense, if the tone is appropriate, and if there are any questions we didn't answer that readers might have. I like to call this "defensive editing," much like defensive driving.

After that, we can get into "micro editing" for the nitty gritty of editing for mechanics and language issues (see the next section if you, too, nerd out on words).

1. The intro is unnecessarily long

Get to the point. The example above isn't as bad as my initial attempt at the lede (the first couple of paragraphs that introduce an article), but, at 152 words, it's long by most web content standards.

To remember the urgent need to get to the point, keep in mind this excerpt from former Guardian editor Tim Radford's advice for journalists (emphasis added):

1. When you sit down to write, there is only one important person in your life. This is someone you will never meet, called a reader. 

2. You are not writing to impress the scientist you have just interviewed, nor the professor who got you through your degree, nor the editor who foolishly turned you down, or the rather dishy person you just met at a party and told you were a writer. Or even your mother. You are writing to impress someone hanging from a strap in the tube between Parson’s Green and Putney, who will stop reading in a fifth of a second, given a chance.

The lede is one of the most challenging parts of writing an article, report, blog post, or even an email or memo —and also one of the most important. Advice from all the writers and editors I talked to? Just write the thing and then after the piece is done, rewrite it as much as needed, which might be several times.

[Re: Writing the lede first or last:] I usually write it first, then delete it, then write it last, then delete it, then delete everything, then drink some tea and contemplate my life choices, then I write something else entirely, and then I write it first again. So... first, then rewrite later. — Joe Yaker (@joeyaker) March 12, 2018

Questions to ask as you're writing or editing the lede: Does the lede make sense—explain briefly what's to come? Is it supported by the rest of the document? Does it quickly hook the reader to continue reading? Bonus if you write for the web: Does the lede have the keywords you're targeting for SEO?

2. Explanations are handwavy or lacking backup

That same editor who introduced me to "throat-clearing" ledes also taught me the word "handwavy," similar to how  magicians wave their hands to draw attention away from the actions behind the magic trick. It's not that we're trying to fool the reader when we're handwavy; it's that we haven't provided the reader all the facts or steps they need to understand what we're trying to explain.

So, for example, if I'm writing an article for the general public about transferring files between computers over the internet, I should explain what SFTP is when first mentioning it, since most people might not know that SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol and that it's a way to transfer and manage files between computers over a secure connection. In the same vein, here at Zapier, we try not to assume the reader knows what Zapier is when they first come to our blog or what "Zaps" (our word for automated workflows) are.

Pro tip: Just avoid jargon, unless you're going to explain that jargon. No one wants to feel like an outsider. Try the Hemingway app to test writing for readability.

Similarly, you need details to prove your point. If I state that exercise helps prevent colds, I'd best link those statements to research proving that point or to experts, such as doctors, who would back up that claim.

It's about being clear to your readers and also making sure your content doesn't have any "holes," so you can establish trust. As Radford writes: "If in doubt, assume the reader knows nothing. However, never make the mistake of assuming that the reader is stupid. The classic error in journalism is to overestimate what the reader knows and underestimate the reader's intelligence."

Questions to ask as you're writing or editing: Are terms most people don't commonly use explained or linked to definitions? Are claims all linked to relevant research or backed by authoritative sources? If you were the target audience for this content, would it make sense to you?

3. The content was written in passive voice

Passive voice is used too often by writers. Writers use passive voice too often. Active voice, as in the previous sentence, is more direct and stronger because the subject (writers) is doing something (using passive voice), rather than the subject taking a backseat.

Alan Henry , Special Projects Editor at WIRED , said:

By far, the most common thing I wind up editing out or changing is passive voice. It's fairly simple to identify once you understand it, but it can be deceptively difficult to many writers to pick out of their own work, even if they go back and review their writing when they're finished. If the subject isn't clear, undefined, or you're using verb tenses that struggle to describe the action taken by a person or party not named in the sentence, you're probably using passive voice. In the same vein, I find many writers rely too heavily on present participles (-ing words, for example) when the simple present version will work better, and engage a reader more directly. For example, "Bill was setting the table" is fine, but "Bill set the table" is more direct, active, and engaging, which is critical to make sure your reader sticks with you, your story, or your article all the way through—and derives value from what they just read for their own use!

Whitson Gordon , Senior Manager of Marketing Content (Gaming) at ASUS, added:

Passive voice isn't always the worst thing in the world, but when it makes a sentence incredibly wordy, you're doing a disservice to your readers. If you catch yourself saying "One of the reasons for this is," or something similar, you should probably rethink what the subject of that sentence is.

That said, sometimes using passive voice does make more sense than the active voice. When the action is more important than who's doing the action, passive voice is totally acceptable. For example: "My computer was stolen yesterday" is more fitting than "Someone stole my computer yesterday," since it puts more emphasis on the event versus an unknown perpetrator.

Here are some examples of when the passive voice is the right option. Rewriting these sentences in active voice would make them decidedly awkward.

Passive: Sergeant Smith was wounded in Vietnam. 

Active: Someone wounded Sergeant Smith in Vietnam. 

Passive: Joey was hurt during the soccer game.

Active: The soccer game hurt Joey.

Passive: I've been bamboozled!

Active: Someone bamboozled me!

Questions to ask as you're writing or editing: Is the sentence natural and clear? Will active or passive voice make the sentence more direct and engaging? Try to rewrite with as few "to be" verbs as possible and default to active verbs and tangible nouns.

4. Too many words

If you're familiar with the Zapier blog, you've probably noticed that our articles are sometimes more like novellas than blog posts. While we're fans of long-form content, we try not to be wordy .

It's similar to the long lede issue: Wordiness within the body of the piece is beating around the bush. From Strunk and White's seminal guide The Elements of Style :

Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.

Common culprits? Overused adverbs and adjectives , such as "very" or "actually" or "quite." Emily Triplett Lentz , Senior Manager of Content Marketing at Calendly, said:

Your writing will be more concise and persuasive when you lose the overused adverbs and adjectives that ultimately detract from the meaning you wish to impart. Does the first of the following two sentences honestly convey any more meaning than the second?

T wo-factor authentication is very important technology. OR Two-factor authentication is important technology.

To take it a step further: Any time you’ve modified a noun or verb with "very," you can probably choose a more precise word, which leads to more powerful writing:

Two-factor authentication is critical technology.

Just like many people use "uh" and "um" to fill space when they're thinking of what to say next, when we write, we often use filler words—or, as Smart Blogger calls them, "grammar expletives." Look for the words "here," "there," and "it" to spot them in your writing: "Common constructions include it is, it was, it won’t, it takes, here is, there is, there will be ." Before-and-after examples:

It's fun to edit – Editing is fun

It takes time to write – Writing takes time

There are many people who write – Many people write

There's nothing better than blogging – Nothing's better than blogging

Here are some things to consider: – Some things to consider are:

Also, you can probably cut "that" from most sentences without changing their meaning, said Bryan Clark , VP of Editorial at Graphite. For example, "I think that waffles are better than pancakes" could just be "I think waffles are better than pancakes," or even better: "Waffles are better than pancakes" (it's assumed that's what you think). (In the previous sentence, "just" could be edited out also. But I'm leaving it in for tone and color—but watch out how often you use "just" in a piece.)

And it's not just about repeating words—repeating ideas across multiple sentences is another easy trap to fall into. Be concise.

Questions to ask as you're writing or editing: Does this word or sentence add anything to the meaning or the flow of the piece? Can you read the sentence without running out of breath?

5. The conclusion doesn't conclude or doesn't exist

If the lede is meant to hook readers and convince them to keep reading, the conclusion is meant to neatly tie up the piece, so readers come away satisfied. Often, though, I see drafts where the piece abruptly stops, as if the writer expended all their energy on the meat of the post and had no room left for the conclusion (the dessert, in this analogy).

Conclusions can be tricky: How do you tie up everything in a way that makes a lasting impression? Triplett Lentz's advice:

When you don’t know how to conclude a piece of writing, try answering the "so what?" question. Why should anyone care about this? How does your idea apply to the reader as a human being? Can you situate your thesis in a broader context? If your post is about how to work a 40-hour week , for example, use the conclusion to address why that's a goal worth pursuing, or discuss the widespread problems that our culture of overwork creates.

The conclusion is an opportunity to ask readers to engage with you further, direct them to relevant content, or give them more to ponder.

Questions to ask as you're writing or editing: What's the takeaway for the reader, and is that expressed in the conclusion? Bonus points if you don't use "Conclusion" for your header for this section.

Micro writing mistakes we all make

Now that we have the major writing issues out of the way, let's talk about micro issues—the punctuation, word choices, and other things that copy editors usually catch, if you're lucky to have a good one. They're little things like using "their" when you mean "there" or "would of" instead of "would've" (a contraction of would have).

Nitpicky as the Grammar Police might be, grammatical and mechanical errors that are easy to overlook can make your readers do a double-take and perhaps doubt your authority.

It would take years to cover every grammatical mistake or point of contention, so for now, we'll just go over the most common mistakes and point you toward more resources for diving deeper.

6. Heed the homophones

Pro tip: The best way to deal with homophones is to create a mnemonic or memory aid to remember when to use which word. For example, I remember the affect/effect example by thinking affect starts with a , which starts "action," while effect starts with e, which starts "end" (as in, the thing that happens at the end after the action).

Here's a list of more common culprits:

Accept/Except:  

Accept means to acknowledge or agree to receive; e.g., "I accept your proposal." 

Except means apart from or excluding; e.g., "Everyone was present except Jane."

Complement/Compliment:  

A complement is something that completes or matches something else; e.g., "That nail polish complements your eyes." 

A compliment is a flattering remark; e.g., "Thanks for the nice compliment on my article."

Principal/Principle:  

Principal can be a noun or adjective. As a noun, it refers to the person in charge of a school, college, or organization; e.g., "Roger was called into the principal's office." As an adjective, it means main, or most important; e.g. "The principal reason for this meeting is to gather content ideas for Q2." 

Principle refers to a fundamental truth or belief; e.g., "Roger's educational principles are sound."

Stationary/Stationery:  

Stationary means not moving; e.g., "The car remained stationary."

Stationery refers to paper, pens, and other writing materials; e.g., "Simon looked for a blue ink pen in the stationery section."

For more homophone fun, head to homophone.com , a site dedicated just to homophones.

7. Apostrophe catastrophes

We can blame many cases of homophone confusion on apostrophes, that pesky punctuation mark that turns "your" into "you're." The former, without the apostrophe, means you own something. The latter, with the apostrophe, means you are doing something or are something. Similarly with "its" versus "it's." "Its" means that thing owns something, while "it's" means "it is."

Pro tip: Any time you use an apostrophe in a contraction, where you're combining the verb with the noun (such as "it's" for "it is" or "here's" for "here is"), expand the contraction in your mind so you get the subject-verb agreement right. "Here's the best apps," for example, does not work when you expand the "here's" contraction—"here is the best apps." It should be "here are the best apps." Just don't use contractions in this case.

As usual, The Oatmeal has a fun graphic explainer on how to properly use apostrophes .

Here are a couple more common apostrophe mistakes:

Who's/Whose:

Who's is a contraction of "who is"; e.g., "Who's calling Alan at this hour?"

Whose is a possessive pronoun that means "belonging to [someone]"; e.g., "Alan, whose phone hadn't stopped ringing all morning, barely ate anything for breakfast."

Let's/Lets

Let's is a contraction of "let us"; e.g., "Let's consider another example of a writing mistake."

Lets means allows; e.g., "The key lets you open the door."

Pro tip: Check out The Little Book of Confusables for lots more examples of spelling and usage tips to help you avoid writing mistakes.

8. Comma and semicolon confusion

Semicolons are a point of contention on almost any content-minded team. You either love them or hate them. Use semicolons to connect two complete thoughts together—more of a pause than using a comma but less of a hard stop than using a period. I used to be on Team Hate and agreed with my former manager Danny Schreiber, who quipped: "A semicolon is just a confused period," but I've been coming around to this punctuation mark; my former teammate Jill Duffy pointed out Annie Dillard's essay "Total Eclipse" in The Atlantic , which has gems like this:

It had nothing to do with anything. The sun was too small, and too cold, and too far away, to keep the world alive. The white ring was not enough. It was feeble and worthless. It was as useless as a memory; it was as off-kilter and hollow and wretched as a memory. When you try your hardest to recall someone’s face, or the look of a place, you see in your mind’s eye some vague and terrible sight such as this. It is dark; it is insubstantial; it is all wrong.

(Hey, if you can write like Annie Dillard, do whatever you want with punctuation.)

That said, if you do use a semicolon, make sure the parts that come before and after the semicolon are both complete thoughts (with both a subject and a verb). "I love semicolons; but hate commas" is incorrect because the "but hate commas" part can't stand on its own, while "I love semicolons; but I hate commas" works—even if you're better off using a comma here. Which brings us to the next point:

Commas are the worst.

They're the trickiest punctuation mark to master and a cause of contention when it comes to style. Should you use the Oxford comma (a.k.a., serial comma) or not? The Oxford comma, if you recall, is the comma that's added before the last item in a list. So, for example: "X, Y, and Z" follows the Oxford comma rule, as opposed to "X, Y and Z" (missing that last comma). Those who are not in favor of the Oxford comma cite aesthetics and one fewer character needed. Those on the side of the Oxford comma cite clarity.

Basically, pick your side, and stick with it. But if you're on the fence, go with the Oxford comma: It can help you avoid a lawsuit that hinges on a single comma .

From our blog style guide, here are other guidelines for using commas correctly:

Remember the FANBOYS rule before adding a comma: If you're connecting two complete thoughts with a coordinating conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, or So), you should always use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. However, if only one part of that sentence is a complete thought, the comma is unnecessary.

Incorrect: "I'll order the cheeseburger, but don't want the pickles."

Correct: "I'll order the cheeseburger but don't want the pickles" OR "I'll order the cheeseburger, but I don't want the pickles."

"Don't want the pickles" wouldn't be used, in most cases, as a standalone sentence, so we don't need the comma. "I don't want the pickles" is complete with subject and verb, so we add the comma. (Alternatively, you could shorten the sentence to "I'll order the cheeseburger without pickles.")

Also, add a comma after "Also" at the beginning of a sentence, but don't add a comma after "Or" or any of the other FANBOYS unless it's followed by a parenthetical.

Incorrect: "Or, you could download this other to-do app."

Correct: "Or you could download this other to-do app" OR "Or, if you want more features, you could download this other to-do app."

Pro tip: Every time you want to add a comma or a semicolon, consider whether the words after the punctuation mark form a complete thought that could stand on its own.

9. Repetitive words repeat

According to Grammarly , one of the most common writing mistakes is using the same word often in a piece. Sometimes this can't be helped:

But other times repeating the same words or phrases is a sign that you're struggling to communicate or fully explain your topic without beating around the bush. Readers (that is, people) like variety, and, in some cases, the thesaurus is your friend.

Pro tip: Grammarly's advice: Read your piece out loud, then cut down or replace frequently used words. When writing, ask yourself if you've already made this statement before in your piece.

10. Misused words

Writing is all about choosing the right words in the right sequence to convey your thought or idea. Simple, right? The problem is there are so many words at your disposal and picking the "best" word is impossible. But some words are better than others when you want to get your point across and also be precise and accurate.

One of my pet peeves is when people use "less" when they should be using "fewer." As in, "I have less readers than I did when this post was published"—it should be "fewer." Use "fewer" when you can count whatever you're referring to (in this case, readers) and "less" when you can't, such as less readership or audience. Similarly, you'd say "less water" (not countable) but "fewer raindrops" (countable).

If you want to go down the word usage rabbit hole, here are the 58 most commonly misused words and phrases . One example I see a lot is the difference between "home in on" and "hone":

Home in on means zero in on (get closer to a target). 

Hone is what you do when you sharpen a knife (or a skill).

Pro tip: The next time you misuse a word and correct it (or your editor corrects it), come up with a mnemonic to remember the right word.

Fix your writing mistakes

While these are the 10 most common writing mistakes my colleagues and I run into, there's plenty more where they came from. One big mistake that's coming up a lot recently is over-relying on AI. While AI writing generators can help you write better technically speaking, they will absolutely not help you sound like a human . Use them for brainstorming, outlines, and refinement, but also be sure there's a human brain at the helm.

Related reading:

Free writing software: tools to help you create better content, faster

How to write great copy: 11 copywriting tips

How to self-edit: A 5-step process

This article was originally published in 2018. The most recent update, with contributions from David Hartshorne, was in November 2023.

Get productivity tips delivered straight to your inbox

We’ll email you 1-3 times per week—and never share your information.

Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola is a NY-based writer. Besides trying out new productivity systems, she enjoys cooking, playing video games with her family, and traveling. Follow her at @melaniepinola.

• Media and editorial

Related articles

How does ChatGPT choose its sources when browsing the web?

How does ChatGPT choose its sources when...

Meet your annual goals with consistent quarterly and monthly check-ins

Meet your annual goals with consistent...

6 bullet journal ideas to transform your bujo

6 bullet journal ideas to transform your...

8 meeting agenda examples and templates—and how to use them to write your own

8 meeting agenda examples and templates—and...

Improve your productivity automatically. Use Zapier to get your apps working together.

The top mistakes to avoid in essay writing

W riting is a difficult task. Even though it is a common aspect of our daily life, especially when it presents itself as a mandatory school task.

We’re familiar with the fundamental guidelines for composing an essay, starting with the thesis statement and concluding with a remarkable, unforgettable ending.

But is it really that straightforward?

Certainly, it isn’t. Individuals continue to fear sharing their work with others due to their lack of confidence in being able to recognize all aspects of the essay that require revision.

This is why we are going to assist you with some tips to edit your article in your own way. If you still have any question at the end of the article, you can ask the same in the comment section.

1: Not Working on the thesis statement

According to Ivory Research writing service , The introduction and the entire essay must include a thesis statement.

People often make the error of not incorporating this point into the introduction, which is the most engaging section of the essay. A thesis statement articulates your opinion or perspective on a topic, along with the reasoning behind it.

An unclear thesis statement does not clarify your perspective. Let me give you an example.

“Student studying in a high school must do a 6-month community service.”

This is quite unclear as it does not really explain why a high school student must do community service for six months. The proper way to phrase the thesis statement is as follows:

“High school students should be obligated to participate in community service before graduating as it aids in developing their ability to make a positive impact on society.”

2: Writing in an incohesive manner

A different frequent error is writing that lacks cohesion. Cohesive essays are simple and pleasant to read. If an essay lacks a clear narrative or connection between ideas, it can be distracting when it jumps around. The reader may question what is important and what they should focus on, diverting attention from the essay’s content and purpose.

There are two main ways in which writing can lack coherence. The initial issue arises when a writer fails to employ efficient transitions. These demonstrate the correlation between various thoughts to the reader and lacking them might lead to a chaotic and confusing essay. Transitions can range from just one or two sentences to an entire paragraph in length.

Inconsistent writing can also occur when the writer lacks coherence. Your essay must uphold consistent tense, point of view, and writing style throughout.

Avoid switching between highly complex vocabulary and very basic language within the same paragraph. If you write in your authentic style and voice, you’ll always be on the right track.

To assess the coherence of your writing, review your initial or subsequent draft and respond to the inquiry:

What is the primary concept being conveyed in this paragraph?

Is it in accordance with the main focus of the essay?

What is the connection to the preceding paragraph?

Should I depict the connection now or in a later section of the essay?

In what perspective is this written? What is the status of tenses?

3: Repeating your introduction

Individuals frequently echo the introduction at the conclusion of their essays. The final paragraph of your essay should not restate the introduction using different wording. This section of the essay is not just a place for repetition, it is crucial and should be given proper attention.

How can you avoid it?

The conclusion of a well-written essay should include a compelling statement about the essay’s findings or conclusions, leaving the reader with fresh thoughts.

Pose queries, delve into further consequences, or conclude your writing with a pertinent, captivating statement.

Avoid beginning your conclusion with the phrase ‘In conclusion’. When individuals reach the final paragraph, they will understand that it signifies the end of the essay.

4: Offering too much information

While you were instructed to produce thorough and significant essays, this doesn’t imply that you shouldn’t selectively present the information. Your goal is to introduce the subject to the reader by providing enough, yet focused details.

How Can You Avoid It?

Adhere to the essay’s prompt. Ensure to review the final draft before submitting the writing if it is complex.

Ensure to incorporate the essential details required for your essay.

Omit any unnecessary details and facts.

5: Writing something too hard-to-read

Many people confuse the core skill of essay writing with constructing a complicated framework. Instructors requesting students to write a topic that follows style guidelines do not expect the essay to be difficult to read. It means that the students must communicate the message clearly.

Please rephrase the text while maintaining the same meaning and word count.

Adhere to the primary concept of the essay.

Ensure the essay contains clear and concise constructions.

Utilize basic sentences to convey the information you wish to communicate.

6: Not supporting your claims with proper evidence

Every time you state something in your essay, you must back it up with appropriate evidence and analysis. Several writers frequently err by making assertions that are unsupported by research.

To prevent this from happening, create a rather concise structure that links each assertion with supporting proof from your references.

You must try to avoid making assumptions that cannot be adequately supported.

Furthermore, make sure to select the most reliable evidence from your investigation, instead of just relying on the initial search results from Google or an academic database.

7: Not proofreading properly

One common error academic writers often commit is not allocating sufficient time to thoroughly proofread their papers. Allocate some time for proofreading your work before submitting it.

Be cautious of errors in spelling and grammar and take note of sections in your writing that may be confusing or complex. Strive for a tone that suits the audience and purpose of your essay.

Professors and writers observe these recurring mistakes made by students every year. Ensure you keep these factors in mind while writing your next essay to avoid them.

Writing error-free may not be achievable.

Nevertheless, with practice and effort, you can reduce mistakes.

Writing without errors is important not only for getting good grades but also for improving your writing abilities. Understanding the guidelines for writing is crucial, including knowing what to write, how to write, and what to avoid writing.

Next time you write, be mindful of the mistakes you make. Make a note of them to prevent repeating the same errors later on.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Essays

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Jordan Sanchez in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Essay length, cohesive writing, reusing essays.

In this post, we discuss mistakes to avoid when writing your college essay . For more information, check out this post about how to write this year’s Common App essays . 

A common college essay mistake is writing an essay that’s too short. For example, the word limit for the Common App essay is 650 words, and you should try as hard as you can to reach that number. A 400-word essay is definitely too short. Make sure you’re using all the words available to you.

If you’re having difficulty meeting the word limit, your essay topic may be too specific. Also, you may not be including enough details or descriptive language. Conversely, if your essay is too long, you may have sections that could be simplified. Look for any areas where the writing may be repetitive or redundant. Consider whether your essay is too broad. Are you trying to cover multiple topics? It can be helpful to break down your essay paragraph by paragraph and ensure that everything you’ve written aligns with the goals of the essay.

Since supplemental essays tend to have low word limits, you can do more telling than showing when writing these. That said, while you don’t want to waste words, if there’s an opportunity to add a bit of personality to a supplemental essay, you should take it. 

Another common mistake is incohesive writing. Cohesive essays are easy and enjoyable to read. If an essay is jumping around and doesn’t have a clear narrative or connection between ideas, it can be distracting. The reader will be wondering what’s relevant and what they should be caring about, which takes attention away from the content and purpose of your essay.

Incohesive writing happens in two major ways. The first is when a writer doesn’t use effective transitions. These show the reader how different ideas are related, and without them, an essay can be disorganized and difficult to understand. Transitions can be as short as one or two sentences or as long as a whole paragraph.

Incohesive writing can also happen when the writer is inconsistent. Your essay should maintain the same tense, point of view, and writing style from beginning to end. Don’t use extremely complicated vocabulary in one paragraph and incredibly simple language in the next. Write in your natural style and voice, and you’ll never go wrong. 

To check the cohesion of your writing, go over your first or second draft and answer the following questions: “What is the main idea of this paragraph? Does it align with the central theme of the essay? How does this relate to the previous paragraph? Do I illustrate the connection here or later in the essay? What point of view is this written in? What about tense? Is it narrative or creative? Distant or close and engaging? Informative or persuasive?” Your answers should be the same or similar for each paragraph. 

It’s crucial to write your essay in the correct form. The Common App essay is similar to a narrative or memoir in that it’s a short personal story. Many students have little to no experience writing in this form, and if you’re one of them, that’s okay, you’re not alone.

Keep in mind that this is not a five-paragraph essay. You won’t have an introduction or conclusion in the traditional sense. Your introduction will be the hook of your essay, whether it comes in the form of dialogue, descriptive language, or imagery. The conclusion will be a short wrap-up, perhaps a few sentences in length. 

The essay isn’t a thought piece either. You shouldn’t be writing something speculative. You want to include specific personal details from your life. This will ground the essay so it doesn’t feel lofty, and it will help the reader get to know you better. 

Not sounding like yourself is a big issue in college essays. The admissions committee is not expecting the most beautiful prose or intelligent language. They want to read an essay by you and about you, so be sure to write your essay in your own voice.

Don’t include words in your essay that you don’t use regularly. You don’t need big, fancy words to impress admissions officers. Your character and your story will impress them for you. In the same vein, your essay should center around who you are today. It’s okay to write about something that happened in the distant past, but the bulk of your essay should be about events that occurred between 10th and 12th grade. Don’t talk too much about your past without connecting it back to who you are today. 

Throughout the college application process, you’ll write several essays, including personal statements and supplements. A few of these essays can be used in applications for several schools, but be careful not to reuse the wrong ones.

Admissions officers can tell when you’re reusing an essay that you shouldn’t. It shows carelessness and a lack of interest in the school and can lower your chances of admission. To avoid this mistake, before writing any of your supplemental essays, copy and paste all the prompts into a single document, and take inventory of how many you’ll actually have to write and how many you can reuse.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

liars liars liars

Mistakes to avoid when crafting a narrative essay.

Writing is one of the most crucial skills that both college and university students should have, especially when it comes to ESL learners. When assigned to create a narrative essay, students find out that it is more difficult to produce narrative essays than to write regular papers.

The point is that information is the number one ingredient that you need to have in order to write a strong personal essay. It is impossible to craft a top-notch piece without knowledge. At the same time, you have to avoid a range of mistakes that a lot of students make when attempting to write narrative essays for the first time. We’ve listed some of them below.

1. Too Much Information

Sometimes students include so many details in narrative essays that they fall into real trouble when trying to logically tell the story. Information overload will take the readability of your project to the lower level and make your work look cheap. Even if you make sure to develop great characters and come up with an extraordinary plot, your target readers will stop reading halfway if they find it too hard to get through all the details.

Resist the urge to add loads of events and characters to your story! Your readers should be able to deduct the key idea of the story without any extra help.

2.Taking too Long

When working on a narrative essay, it is better to dive right into things. Many students tend to take too long before getting to the core of their work.

Instead, choose to open up your narrative essay somewhere in the middle of your story and then get back to the beginning of it. Thus, your target readers will be hooked from the very beginning.

3. Mistakes with Pieces of Dialogues

A lot of undergrads push away their readers with access lot a bunch of dialogues throughout the narrative story. This becomes a real ‘turn off’ to your target audience. That is why it is recommended to use functional paragraphs and include short and logical dialogue segments to keep your readers interested in your story.

When it comes to a narrative story, dialogues are excellent tools to use. However, you have to do it wisely. There’s no need to explain every other detail in a dialogue! Instead, ensure to break up a long conversation into smaller chunks of dialogues. As a result, the whole story will become more powerful.

4. Don’t Tell – Show!

A lot of inexperienced writers tend to simply start throwing in facts, dialogues, descriptions, and figures without proper narration. When you write a narrative essay, it is essential to make it personal, while telling a story about what you felt, saw, experienced, and heard.

If you fail to add important details, your readers will get bored when reading it. After all, they are hoping to read an interesting story but not a business document or a portfolio.

5. Lack of Suspense

One of the reasons why many students decide to buy narrative essay from some trustworthy online custom writing company is that they fall short in hooking the readers because of a lack of suspense. It’s no doubt, online reps of a custom writing service can produce a top-notch paper for sale that you buy then.

They know how to create a narrative story with solid suspense building. But with some effort, you will provide your audience with an opportunity to guess and wonder at the unknown. Little by little, make sure to give slight clues and hints to your readers. When it’s time to end the narrative, you will reveal the full story.

6. You Fail to Take Your Readers Somewhere

A professionally written narrative essay is like a good road trip. In other words, it should go somewhere. In a perfect paper, your readers arrive somewhere different from the place they stated. However, it is important that you take your time with that ‘trip’ and its details. If the narrator simply jumps straight to the end of the story, s/he robs the readers of all the exciting details about the written piece. Ensure you reach your conclusions step by step.

The other mistakes that college students tend to make in narrative essays include:

• A character who happens to unexpectedly have certain knowledge or skills.
• An event that has zero connection with the preceding events.
• An event that is impossible to happen in the universe that you created.
• An event that occurs without any particular reason.
• A character that does/says something that has nothing to do with his or her personality – just because you want them to do it.

These are the most common mistakes students make when working on a narrative essay for college. As a result, the poor-quality piece doesn’t speed up their academic progress . If you take them into account, you will hone the manner in which you write this or any other type of essay.

Is Your Crypto Safe on an Exchange – 2024 Guide

Top 6 tips for maintaining laboratory equipment.

Martha Little

Related posts, what are the fundamentals of a good risk management advisory strategy, math problems be gone: say hello to cameramath that’ll make you a problem-solving pro, the 5 best ways for improving your blackjack game.

Text Response: Identifying and Correcting Common Essay Errors

Many students are taught ‘there is no right or wrong answer in English’; and to our disappointment, there are indeed unspoken rules that, when abided by, can impress teachers and assessors. If you are looking for a comprehensive list of common errors for each section of the essay, logically paired with actionable correction strategies that can be applied to your next practice essay, read this blog carefully and scroll down to the bottom of the page to download a printable version for revision purposes.

This blog will cover errors in introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions, using examples from various texts on the current study design. A printable PDF of this file is attached at the end of this blog!

Table of Contents:

Introductions

1. Lacking contextual details

2. Doesn’t outline how essay addresses prompt

3. Too long!

Body Paragraphs

4. Plot-based topic sentences

5. Not engaging with evidence

6. Missing a linking sentence

Conclusions

7. Too long

8. Too short

Overall Essay – Structure + Interpretations

9. Character-based paragraphs

10. Not considering authorial intent

11. Lacking depth and detail

12. Not closely connected to the topic

13. Too similar

Writing Fluency + Expression

14. Colloquial language

15. Repetitive vocabulary

16. Generic verbs

17. Tense usage

19. Not embedding evidence

20. Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar inaccuracy

21. Word choice

22. Handwriting clarity

23. Metalanguage

24. Referring to the text

25. Line formatting

Finally, a category of its own: time management

An effective introduction sets the stage for your essay, providing context and outlining how you plan to address the prompt. Common errors in introductions include lacking contextual details, not outlining how the essay addresses the prompt, and being too long or too short. By addressing these issues, your introduction will demonstrate your understanding of the text and establish a clear response to the topic.

Lacking contextual details

Error explanation: The introduction of an essay should demonstrate that you (the author) has an understanding of the text’s basic context. Without this, the intro appears lacking in detail and it undermines the reader’s confidence in your knowledge of the text.

Correction strategy: Ensure that you have included (1) the full name of the writer, (2) The time of publication/setting, (3) the genre, (4) the full title. Other details you may choose to include: the time the text is set, the place the text is set, any movements / contemporary events which influenced the text

Example: For the text We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson, the introduction’s contextual details should include:

• “Shirley Jackson” (author’s full name)
• “1962” (year of publication)
• “mystery” or “gothic fiction” (genre)
• “novella” (type of text)
• “We Have Always Lived In The Castle” (full title)

It could also mention that the novella is influenced by the movement of gothic literature / incorporates gothic tropes.

Doesn’t outline how essay addresses prompt

Error explanation: The primary goal of an essay’s introduction is to outline how you (the author) plans to address the prompt. In particular, pre-prepared introductions will appear generic and fail to effectively engage with the essay topic. This will be penalised in both SACs and the final exam.

Correction strategy: Ensure that your introduction addresses the following:

• The topic – what themes are core to the prompt you have been given?
• The text – in what ways does the text explore these themes?
• The contention – what does text propose is in its exploration of these themes

Example: Consider the following topic for the comparative pair Ransom and The Queen. “Compare how the two texts examine leadership and family.”

The introduction should identify that both leadership and family are explored in the texts, and identify a relationship between them. It should also touch on examples and broad trends of how these themes appear in the texts, and propose a contention as to what the texts claim about this relationship, e.g. that the isolating, dehumanising burden of leadership prevent individuals from connecting with their families.

Error explanation: The introduction to an essay serves an important function – to show that you fully understand the text, and outline a clear response to the topic – but it is one which can be achieved quickly. An introduction which is too long is likely including generic details, going overly in depth about examples, and most importantly, is detracting from the time which should be spent developing strong body paragraphs. Those are what ultimately demonstrate your understanding, and get you good marks.

Correction strategy:

• Make sure your introduction doesn’t include any pre-prepared sentences, which are generic and not nearly as useful as sentences which target the essay topic properly.
• For those contextual details which are necessary, include them within sentences that discuss thematic ideas
• Remove anything which isn’t directly relevant

Plot-based topic sentences

Error explanation: Topic sentences based on an event or character narrow the focus of the paragraph, and limit your ability to demonstrate a thematic understanding of the text. It also appears very simplistic, and wastes an opportunity to clearly establish where your analysis and essay is going.

Correction strategy: Make your topic sentences based around the conclusion of your analysis and overall contention. Ensure you are making a statement about their views and values.

Two ways to guarantee you’re creating views and values statements:

• Start the sentence or clause with the author’s name
• Use verbs of analysis to make sure you’re not restating plot e.g. portrays, conveys, suggests, questions, challenges, critiques, endorses, etc.
• “In Women of Troy, Hecuba is displayed as a strong and compassionate figure.”
• “One way Euripedes generates sympathy for Trojan women is through the symbol of Cassandra’s torch.”

Instead, frame around the author’s views + values:

• “Euripedes’ focus on the suffering of Trojan women condemns the atrocities committed in war.”
• “Throughout Women of Troy, Euripedes fosters admiration for humanity’s tenacity in the face of adversity.”

This allows you to then expand on this thematic statement, proving it by invoking examples of plot, characters, and techniques. It is the basis for a much stronger paragraph, and provides direction for where the analysis should lead.

Not engaging with evidence

Error explanation: Including quotes or evidence in your paragraph doesn’t guarantee that you’re engaging with evidence. If quotes are just summarising plot events, they’re limiting the depth of your analysis.

Correction strategy: When you include quotes, note more than just the plot they describe. What is the significance of the word choice? What images are being created? Are there metaphors, or other instances of figurative language?

With this in mind, throughout your study, build up a bank of quotes which allow you to draw comparisons and analyse language use.

Also, avoid using ‘this shows’ and ‘this is apparent’, as it lacks precision. Naming precisely what it is within the quote that evokes a certain feeling or generates a characterisation is much more effective analysis.

Example: (from Station Eleven) “Mandel’s characterisation of the corporate world as “full of ghosts” adds to the repeated metaphor of prep-pandemic society as lacking in life, conveying a disturbing absence of human connection in modern community”

This addresses both the specific language/technique which is used, and connects it to the views and values of the author. Therefore, the evidence is being fully engaged with and analysed.

Missing a linking sentence

Error explanation: It’s vital that the analysis provided in your body paragraphs is clearly linked to your essay’s contention. Therefore, you need a sentence at the end of each paragraph which demonstrates that link.

Correction strategy: Think of each linking sentence as a mini-conclusion for a body paragraph. It can be useful to use conjunctions which signify another layer of analysis (in this case, a link to your contention) – words like ‘therefore’, ‘thus’, and ‘consequently’. The linking sentence should refer back to the views + values of the author. Frame the sentence around the author’s name and se verbs of analysis such as portrays, conveys, etc.

Examples: (from Sunset Boulevard)

• “Therefore, Wilder conveys the devastating consequences of prioritising illusion over reality.”
• “Thus, Wilder condemns the vanity and superficiality of a culture which worships celebrity.”

Error explanation: Sometimes you just don't have the time. Especially because you’ve just finished writing the essay, and you definitely don’t want to sacrifice the end of the last body paragraph (or any other argumentative material) for a conclusion.

Correction strategy: If your conclusion restates material from your introduction, or your topic sentences, you’re doing it wrong. The assessor has already read those points – this should be something new. Simply summarise your key ideas, and focus on the views and values statements, to create a concise and effective conclusion.

Error explanation: One sentence is not enough!

Correction strategy: A conclusion is about more than just listing the arguments you’ve written down already. The conclusion should make a broader statement about the author, which goes beyond the world of the text, and addresses what they believe readers should do/think, how society should be, etc.

The following conclusion expands on the concrete analysis of the world of the text, to make overarching statements about the author’s worldview.

“The crumbling of civilisation in Mandel’s Station Eleven creates a post-apocalyptic setting which displays the tenacity of humanity through conflict. Mandel admires the human resilience required to survive and preserve, yet the novel extends on this, portraying the human capacity to use the remnants of civilisation to construct new communities, relationships and art. In this testament to human adaptability, Mandel places faith into the continued evolution of civilisation, as Station Eleven optimistically implies that, despite all challenges, community and beauty will prosper.”

Character-based paragraphs

Error explanation: An essay paragraph which revolves around a single character is always limiting your analysis, and prevents you from demonstrating a thorough understanding of the text.

Correction strategy: When planning, consider 3 ideas which link to your contention. Then, consider which characters connect to those big ideas. If you find yourself still gravitating towards character-based paragraphs, ask yourself: what is it that this character proves? Search for other characters and evidence which bolster this point, and frame the paragraph around that idea instead of the character.

Use evidence outside of main characters: Minor characters can often echo thematic ideas in the main storyline; Language devices and narrative techniques are also useful evidence.

Not considering authorial intent

Error explanation: To form a solid contention, you need to show consideration of why the author created the text. If an essay lacks consideration of bigger questions – what should society look like, how should people behave – then it will lack depth overall.

Correction strategy: Consider the following questions:

• What is the author’s goal in creating the text?
• What does he/she support?
• What does he/she thinks needs to be changed in society?
• Which characters are designed to be empathised with? What does this reveal about the author’s values?
• Which characters are designed to be condemned? What does this reveal about the author’s values?

This should allow you to formulate statements based on the author’s views and values, and work your essays towards those statements.

Lacking depth and detail

Error explanation: If your paragraphs are too short, or your analysis feels shallow, it can severely limit the quality of your writing. Even if you use plenty of words, that doesn’t guarantee that your analysis is engaging as fully with the text, and values of the author, as it could.

Correction strategy: There can be a few reasons why your essay lacks depth or detail.

• Ensure you are using at least two pieces of evidence, from different parts of the text, per paragraph
• Explain the following for each piece of evidence
• what it reveals within the text (the true feelings of a character, the nature of society, etc.)
• the broader statement of values it connects to
• Combine quotations which connect to each other – layering evidence strengthens a point
• Use choices the author makes about language features and structures as evidence – combining different types of evidence also adds depth
• Check that evidence has sufficient context – when is a quote said? by who? The characters or plot a piece of evidence connects to can provide additional paths for analysis.

Not closely connected to the topic

Error explanation: Every argument needs to clearly address the topic. Sometimes students stray because they bring in a ‘counter point’ in a second or third paragraph, and other times might choose to write out paragraphs they have already written because it’s more comfortable. However, unless the paragraph is entirely relevant and targeted towards the topic, it’s a waste of time.

Correction strategy: Plan clearly, and ensure that each of the three arguments address the topic individually. If you feel an argument is similar to something previously written, ask yourself how you can make this argument specifically to address the topic in front of you.

Too similar

Error explanation: Having two paragraphs which essentially explain the same idea severely weakens an essay. It basically shows that you only have two ideas, and doesn’t allow for enough depth of analysis.

• Use your reading time and a bit of writing time to plan – it may be the case that you’re not giving yourself enough time to think of three distinct points
• If this is a persistent problem, practice planning out essays under time constraints. It only takes ten minutes, and can be a useful exercise to sharpen your skills.

Colloquial language

Error explanation: Language which is too informal renders writing unprofessional, and can affect the accuracy of your writing.

Correction strategies:

• Avoid using cliches/idioms
• Avoid casual language, such as abbreviations or slang
• Write in the formal register – like an English teacher would
• Justice is not “served”, it is achieved
• He’s not a character “with a really hard life”, he has a traumatic upbringing

Repetitive vocabulary

Error explanation: Overusing words can make your writing appear simplistic, and is annoying to read.

• Note the words you overuse, look up synonyms, and use them in your writing
• Note alternative words other students use in their essays
• When you write practice pieces, scan your work to check for repeated words

Be especially careful that you don’t use a word in the essay topic over and over again. In planning time, brainstorm synonyms for key words of the topic.

Generic verbs

Error explanation: Verbs of analysis are, of course, incredibly common throughout text response essays. Words like ‘explore’ or ‘show’, ‘highlights’ or ‘says’ are very common.

Correction strategies: It’s better if you can use more precise verbs which also add flair and variety to your writing. These verbs all have slightly different meanings, so when writing, you need to select carefully.

• Instead of explores: reveals, exposes, warns, criticises, endorses, questions, condemns
• Instead of highlights: underscores, accentuates, emphasises
• Instead of says: states, reflects, claims, declares, suggests

Tense usage

Error explanation: Using the past tense, or worse, switching between tenses throughout the essay, hampers the fluency of writing.

Correction strategy: Use present tense in your essays.

Instead of: In Rainbow’s End, Harrison employed dreamy lighting to demonstrate the wonderful, yet tragic, impossibility of characters’ aspirations.

Write: In Rainbow’s End, Harrison employs dreamy lighting to demonstrate the wonderful, yet tragic, impossibility of characters’ aspirations.

Error explanation: If your writing is too verbose, it can be a struggle to get to the highest level of analysis in the given time limits. Being more concise will save time, and more efficient writing will make your analysis clearer.

Correction strategy: Avoid placeholder sentences – get to the point! This applies to unnecessary clauses and ‘pauses’ in writing.

Instead of: “Throughout the entire novel, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart shows men as being each other's “brothers”, even when they are not actually family, but only clansmen, and this characterisation makes those concepts appear equal, most of the time.”

Write: “Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart equates family and community, as clansmen refer to each other as “brothers”.”

Not embedding evidence

Error explanation: If quotations aren’t embedded, writing doesn't flow as well, and your command over the evidence is slightly undermined.

Correction strategy: Embed your quotations every time.

Example: (from In Cold Blood)

Instead of: “Perry says, “I don’t believe in capital punishment”, demonstrating…”

Write: “Perry “[does not] believe in capital punishment”, demonstrating…”

Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar inaccuracy

Error explanation: Inaccuracies in spelling, punctuation and grammar are harmful to the fluidity of your expression, and leave a bad impression on the reader.

• Request some support to identify spelling errors
• Correct any spelling errors using a good dictionary
• Read over sentences, checking for basic grammatical errors
• Check that your word forms are correct (e.g. “unjust” is an adjective, “injustice” is the noun)
• Write down any errors – keeping a record will help you identify frequent mistakes

Common errors to lookout for:

• Capitalisation – check that all proper nouns (place names, the name of the author, etc.) are capitalised
• Apostrophes – revise particularly in relation to possessions
• Pronouns – check that pronoun use isn't ambiguous
• Full stops and commas – check that these are not used interchangeably
• Ending clauses with ‘is’ or ‘are’ is a common grammatical mistake

Word choice

Error explanation: Often students attempt to use more ‘sophisticated’ words, but can end up with something jarring, because the connotations were a bit off, or just because it didn't suit their writing style. Prioritise precision: above all, your essay has to make sense.

• Check the definitions of any words you’re a little uncertain about.
• Practice using a hard-copy dictionary when you plan essays, as you are permitted to do this in SACs/the exam.
• Build up a glossary of terms that you’re comfortable with
• Remember that your essay can (and will) be impressive without using obscure vocabulary

Handwriting clarity

Error explanation: Assessors can only mark what they can read!

• Practice writing essays to time, and with a pen
• Change up the pen from time to time to see i it helps with clarity
• Time management will allow you to write at a more consistent pace throughout writing time

Metalanguage

Error explanation: Use of metalanguage is a way to demonstrate your knowledge of a text. Not using metalanguage enough, or worse, using it incorrectly, can harm the precision of your writing.

• Review terminology to ensure metalanguage is used accurately Glossaries, samples, and peer work can all be sources of new terms
• Incorporate metalanguage by learning the adjectival/verbal versions Many terms of metalanguage are nouns (e.g. symbolism) but can also be used as adjectives (symbolic) or verbs (symbolises)
• Avoid repeating metalanguage more than once in a paragraph, or more than a few times across an essay

Metalanguage relating to the form and structure of text:

• Omniscient third-person narrator
• Non-chronological narrative
• Non-linear plot

Metalanguage relating to language devices:

• Alliteration

Note that films have lots of metalanguage relating to camera angles and shots.

Referring to the text

Error explanation: The generally accepted format is to underline the full title of the text. Use this, and there is no need to use inverted commas or quotation marks.

In Station Eleven, Mandel…

In Sunset Boulevard, Wilder…

Line formatting

Error explanation: Line breaks are specifically ofr showing where paragraphs start and end.

Correction strategy: Leave one line between paragraphs. Not more, not less.

Additionally:

• Don’t start a new line within your paragraphs
• Don’t label sections of your essay like ‘introduction’ – that's what the line breaks signal for you

Possibly the biggest challenge of a 3 hour, 3 essay exam is cramming all of your best ideas and skills into such a short period of time. However, with enough practice, it won't feel so daunting by the end of the year.

Strategies: As well as practising whole essays within an hour, try the following:

• Writing plans in 5 minutes
• Writing introductions in 10 minutes
• Writing body paragraphs in 12-15 minutes
• Reading an article and planning an argument analysis essay in your head, during ‘reading time’
• Practice writing more by hand – it’s the only way your speed can be accurate, and the more you practise, the faster you get

Don’t forget that you don’t have to budget each essay to one hour. Many students may find Section C quicker to write, and so have a bit more time to dedicate to the other sections of the exam. Experiment to figure out what is comfortable for you.

Download PDF

Related posts

Your 2024 VCE English Cheat Sheet: Text Summaries, Key Themes and Approaches to Genre

Sample Essay: Analysing Arguments with a 50-study-scorer

A Pocket Guide to Argument Analysis

A Guide to Oral Presentation and Statement of Intention

Creative Responses and Written Commentary (SOIs) Explained

Introducing online resources

$45 per month • Free for current students

We are excited to launch an online library of best-in-class resources for VCE training. We are excited to launch an online library of best-in-class resources for VCE training.

• Business and Finance
• Careers Express

The top mistakes to avoid in essay writing

Writing is a difficult task. Even though it is a common aspect of our daily life, especially when it presents itself as a mandatory school task.

We’re familiar with the fundamental guidelines for composing an essay, starting with the thesis statement and concluding with a remarkable, unforgettable ending.

But is it really that straightforward?

Certainly, it isn’t. Individuals continue to fear sharing their work with others due to their lack of confidence in being able to recognize all aspects of the essay that require revision.

This is why we are going to assist you with some tips to edit your article in your own way. If you still have any question at the end of the article, you can ask the same in the comment section.

1: Not Working on the thesis statement  

According to Ivory Research writing service , The introduction and the entire essay must include a thesis statement.

People often make the error of not incorporating this point into the introduction, which is the most engaging section of the essay. A thesis statement articulates your opinion or perspective on a topic, along with the reasoning behind it.

An unclear thesis statement does not clarify your perspective. Let me give you an example.

“Student studying in a high school must do a 6-month community service.”

This is quite unclear as it does not really explain why a high school student must do community service for six months. The proper way to phrase the thesis statement is as follows:

“High school students should be obligated to participate in community service before graduating as it aids in developing their ability to make a positive impact on society.”

2: Writing in an incohesive manner  

A different frequent error is writing that lacks cohesion. Cohesive essays are simple and pleasant to read. If an essay lacks a clear narrative or connection between ideas, it can be distracting when it jumps around. The reader may question what is important and what they should focus on, diverting attention from the essay’s content and purpose.

There are two main ways in which writing can lack coherence. The initial issue arises when a writer fails to employ efficient transitions. These demonstrate the correlation between various thoughts to the reader and lacking them might lead to a chaotic and confusing essay. Transitions can range from just one or two sentences to an entire paragraph in length.

Inconsistent writing can also occur when the writer lacks coherence. Your essay must uphold consistent tense, point of view, and writing style throughout.

Avoid switching between highly complex vocabulary and very basic language within the same paragraph. If you write in your authentic style and voice, you’ll always be on the right track.

To assess the coherence of your writing, review your initial or subsequent draft and respond to the inquiry:

What is the primary concept being conveyed in this paragraph?

Is it in accordance with the main focus of the essay?

What is the connection to the preceding paragraph?

Should I depict the connection now or in a later section of the essay?

In what perspective is this written? What is the status of tenses?

3: Repeating your introduction  

Individuals frequently echo the introduction at the conclusion of their essays. The final paragraph of your essay should not restate the introduction using different wording. This section of the essay is not just a place for repetition, it is crucial and should be given proper attention.

How can you avoid it?  

The conclusion of a well-written essay should include a compelling statement about the essay’s findings or conclusions, leaving the reader with fresh thoughts.

Pose queries, delve into further consequences, or conclude your writing with a pertinent, captivating statement.

Avoid beginning your conclusion with the phrase ‘In conclusion’. When individuals reach the final paragraph, they will understand that it signifies the end of the essay.

4: Offering too much information  

While you were instructed to produce thorough and significant essays, this doesn’t imply that you shouldn’t selectively present the information. Your goal is to introduce the subject to the reader by providing enough, yet focused details.

How Can You Avoid It?  

Adhere to the essay’s prompt. Ensure to review the final draft before submitting the writing if it is complex.

Ensure to incorporate the essential details required for your essay.

Omit any unnecessary details and facts.

5: Writing something too hard-to-read  

Many people confuse the core skill of essay writing with constructing a complicated framework. Instructors requesting students to write a topic that follows style guidelines do not expect the essay to be difficult to read. It means that the students must communicate the message clearly.

Please rephrase the text while maintaining the same meaning and word count.

Adhere to the primary concept of the essay.

Ensure the essay contains clear and concise constructions.

Utilize basic sentences to convey the information you wish to communicate.

6: Not supporting your claims with proper evidence  

Every time you state something in your essay, you must back it up with appropriate evidence and analysis. Several writers frequently err by making assertions that are unsupported by research.

To prevent this from happening, create a rather concise structure that links each assertion with supporting proof from your references.

You must try to avoid making assumptions that cannot be adequately supported.

Furthermore, make sure to select the most reliable evidence from your investigation, instead of just relying on the initial search results from Google or an academic database.

7: Not proofreading properly  

One common error academic writers often commit is not allocating sufficient time to thoroughly proofread their papers. Allocate some time for proofreading your work before submitting it.

Be cautious of errors in spelling and grammar and take note of sections in your writing that may be confusing or complex. Strive for a tone that suits the audience and purpose of your essay.

Conclusion  

Professors and writers observe these recurring mistakes made by students every year. Ensure you keep these factors in mind while writing your next essay to avoid them.

Writing error-free may not be achievable.

Nevertheless, with practice and effort, you can reduce mistakes.

Writing without errors is important not only for getting good grades but also for improving your writing abilities. Understanding the guidelines for writing is crucial, including knowing what to write, how to write, and what to avoid writing.

Next time you write, be mindful of the mistakes you make. Make a note of them to prevent repeating the same errors later on.

Microsoft singles out Google’s competitive edge in generative AI

CM Guest Columnist

Related posts, moving how to change your car registration address like a pro, blockdag’s keynote dissects bdag’s journey to $600m as market experiences another surge with xrp & gala, algorand sets stage for march token unlock while chainlink ai challenger receives significant support, blockdag keynote: batch 3 is here finally xrp price analysis and arweave price prediction, ‘we should ask why there are so many medical schools’, emerge project successfully concludes.

• Cookies Policy
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies

Please read this Cookie Policy carefully as it contains important information on who we are and how we use cookies on our website. This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy   which sets out how and why we collect, store, use and share personal information generally, as well as your rights in relation to your personal information and details of how to contact us and/or the supervisory authorities in case you have any complaint.

This Cookie Policy applies to the access and use of the Cyprus Mail Website hosted at https://cyprus-mail.com/ (hereinafter referred to as the “ Website ”), which is operated by NEO CYMED PUBLISHING LIMITED (hereinafter the “ Company ”, “ we ” or “ us ”).

Our Company strives to protect personal data and apply high standards of conduct when it comes to privacy issues. We ensure that we provide our employees and staff with the appropriate training to handle personal data promptly and in accordance with the laws. Furthermore, we endeavour to ensure that any parties with whom we co-operate apply the same high standards when it comes to data protection and privacy as we do.

A cookie is a small text file which is placed onto your device (e.g. computer, smartphone or other electronic device) when you use our Website. We use cookies on our Website. These help us improve your experience and at the same time help us to support our security features i.e. detect for malicious visitors, recognize you and your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions .

For example, we may monitor . This information helps us to identify trusted web traffic, generate statistical and analytical data on how our visitors use our Website, our reach and click on links. We also uses cookies to personalize your online experience. Some of this data will be aggregated or statistical, which means that we will not be able to identify you individually.

For further information on our use of cookies, including a detailed list of your information which we and others may collect through cookies, please see below.

For further information on cookies generally, including how to control and manage them, visit the guidance on cookies published by the Office of the Commissioner of Personal Data Protection in Cyprus, or www.allaboutcookies.org/ .

Consent to use cookies and changing settings

We will ask for your permission ( Consent ) to place cookies or other similar technologies on your device, except where they are essential for us to provide you with a service that you have requested (enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the Website) and ensure the security of our website and users.

You may withdraw any consent provided regarding the use of cookies or manage any other cookie preferences by clicking on the Cookie Settings icon at the bottom end of any page on our Website. You can then adjust the sliders regarding the cookies as per your preferences . It may be necessary to refresh the page for the updated settings to take effect.

For more information on how you can change your preferences via browser settings please see ‘How to turn off all cookies and consequences of doing so’ below . It may be necessary to refresh the page for the updated settings to take effect.

Our use of cookies

Categories of Cookies:

• Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the Website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the Website, anonymously.
• Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the Website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
• Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the Website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
• Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website to improve user experience.
• Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
• Other uncategorized cookies are being analyzed and have not yet been categorized.

The table below provides more information about the cookies we use and why:

Third party access to the cookies

The cookies we use will only be accessed by us and those third parties named in the table above for the purposes referred to in this Cookie Policy. Those cookies will not be accessed by any other third party.

How to turn off all cookies and consequences of doing so

If you do not want to accept any cookies, you may be able to change your browser settings so that cookies (including those which are essential to the services requested) are not accepted. If you do this, please be aware that you may lose some of the functionality of our Website.

How to contact us

Please contact us if you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or the information we hold about you.

If you wish to contact us, please send an email to [email protected] ,  write to us at 195, Arch. Makariou III, Neocleous House, 1st-5th floor, 3030, Limassol, Cyprus, or call us at ++357 22818585.

Changes to this policy

This policy was last updated on 4/7/2023 .

We may change this policy from time to time, when we do so we will inform you via notification on our Website.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!