A+ Guide to Short Answer Essays (A+ Guides to Writing Book 4)

The argument s you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement. A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused. You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of direction.

Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument s , so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking you. Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of pages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it. Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing about general things that do not say much.

Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the surface. The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis too general with three possible revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic:. Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader understands exactly what you mean. These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what you mean by them.

Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. To avoid misunderstandings, be as specific as possible. Compare the original thesis not specific and clear enough with the revised version much more specific and clear:. Do not expect to come up with a fully formulated thesis statement before you have finished writing the paper.

The thesis will inevitably change as you revise and develop your ideas—and that is ok! Start with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops. Avoid, avoid, avoid generic arguments and formula statements. They work well to get a rough draft started, but will easily bore a reader. Keep revising until the thesis reflects your real ideas. Avoid formula and generic words.

College Prep Guides: Writing an A+ Admissions Essay

Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many "to be" verbs as possible. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader. You will lose credibility as a writer if you become only a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas and words.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas.

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It signals a writer who has intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm. Center for Writing Studies: Quick Links Home Search Contact.

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How long does it need to be? In order to write a successful thesis statement: Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction i.

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Use conjunctions and other tools to keep things interesting. Active Voice is Better Than Passive Active voice verbs and phrases generally sound much more energetic and dynamic than the passive voice. Ask for Opinions Before submitting your essay, ask a few people to read it and give you their thoughts. You could ask teachers, friends, coaches, family members, a guidance counselor, or even your boss. Simply borrowing a fresh pair of eyes can help identify things that you may never have noticed about your own essays. Ask them if they might have any suggestions to help improve it, or if there is anything that should be omitted.

Pay Attention to the Provided Question Most colleges provide a question that they want students to answer in their essays. While you do need to reveal information about yourself, your achievements, and your personality in the essay, make sure you answer the question, too. After writing, run through the whole essay to pick out sections that are irrelevant.

Multiple Revisions Writing in general is a process of revisions and fine-tuning. The more you revise the essay, the better crafted it will be. Think of it like a sculptor chiseling a statue: After the main form is created, there is still plenty of cutting and carving needed to make it perfect. The following are some great online resources to use in preparing your own college application essays:.

Here are some important tips to help you get started: The following are some great online resources to use in preparing your own college application essays: Common Application Essay Advice - Three tips for writing a Common Application essay that admissions officers will remember.

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Uniqueness in an Essay — Watch a video on how to make your admissions essay stand out from the others. Common Essay Questions — Find some quick answers to common questions that students ask about the admissions essay. Representing Yourself — This guide explains how to help your personality shine through in the essay. Crafting the Admissions Essay — Learn how to carefully shape and perfect an admissions essay so that it represents yourself well.

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A Look at Admissions Essays PDF — This slideshow illustrates what admissions officers are looking for in application essays and how to write for them. Video Essays — What is a video admissions essay and what should you include in it?



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Admission Essay Tips — This list of the tips covers all the key points for writing a strong admission essay. Subject Ideas PDF — Browse through a list of essay topic ideas, along with further tips and resources. A Guide to Video Essays — Learn about video essays and watch a few different examples. Essay Readers Chime In — College admission staff who sift through thousands of letters have compiled a list of essay-writing tips for students. Call us Email us info veritasprep.