Putting pen to paper is never easy. However, it is a typical part of our life, especially if it is presented as an assignment in school. We already know the basic rules for writing an essay that starts with a thesis statement and ends with an amazing, unforgettable conclusion. But is it really that simple? Certainly, it isn’t. People still dread submitting their work to others because they cannot be sure they can identify all the areas of the essay that need improvement. Here are some of the common mistakes and the solutions to overcome them.

 

• Failure to directly respond to the posed question

An essay’s purpose is NOT simply to list all that one knows about the subject in question either. It’s to make a case for what you have been asked to show in the question you have been given.  Writing an essay without knowing the content of the question 100% is another wrong approach that has to be avoided. So always use essay writing examples. Moreover, always be clear on the keyword in your essay – the directives (doing words) such as describe, evaluate, critically analyze, illustrate…etc.

 

• Writing without any preconceived ideas at all

Writing techniques can also be divided into two categories: planning their work and planning on working as they write. When you don’t plan you’re also likely to lose focus and come up with half-baked answers, incorporate wrong information, and present weaker arguments because you have not planned your evidence which will eventually result in low marks. Incorporate time in search of essay writing examples for the next essay so you can sieve out whatever is irrelevant and then plot a logical sequence that you’ll take the reader –your tutor – through to your answer.

 

• If your points are in random order

Another typical misstep when writing an essay is that your points and arguments are presented randomly. It can make it more difficult for your tutor to follow your line of reasoning. And if they can’t understand your arguments… you’ll hardly get many points. Rather, you should view your essay as a trip and approach it in the same manner. You wish your ideas to follow one another logically, progressing from one paragraph to the next and from sensible to conclusion.

• Plagiarism

When it comes to doing essays, plagiarism is also a mistake that one can often commit. It is a big no from the university if the student has plagiarized in the assignment. They can penalize the student and can expel them from the university.  This can be as simple as using someone’s work without citing, copying some sentences or some paragraphs from the internet or someone else’s work to include in one’s work to being as serious as copying an entire work. So if you have been guilty of plagiarism in the past – work towards improving yourself in the skills of citing and referencing as well as paraphrasing by having good essay writing examples. And if you are a deliberate plagiarizer – then now is the best time to stop. You CAN do this by yourself.

• Leaving grammatical errors

Of course, word processors have a spellchecker, but using it too frequently constitutes one of the basic mistakes of essay writing. Bad grammar makes it difficult for your tutor to comprehend what you are trying to tell him. Your readers will not appreciate your powerful arguments if they do not understand your words. As such, ensure that you master the grammar, spelling, and punctuation of your essay.

• Failing to write for the required number of words

Word counts are set for a reason so it is one of the big essay writing mistakes to hand in a piece of work that is far from the set limit. Take more of your time in the conceptualizing stage before you begin to write. Reread all your notes and your materials to come up with as many ideas, concepts, and examples that you would like to put into your paper, and make sure that the argumentation process is critical.

• Hiding from feedback

Often, they glance through their mark and then skim through the rest of the comments – all in case they do not like what they see. However, it is a common mistake to overlook the feedback. It is a very helpful tool when it comes to enhancing your writing and achieving better grades next time. It is important not to view feedback and constructive criticism as a personal insult to you but as an opportunity to enhance your skill in writing and presenting work in a manner that will warrant a better grade next time.