While writing an essay, there are certain things you want to avoid in order to produce a high-quality piece of writing. Some key things essay writers should steer clear of include:
Avoid Anecdotes
While personal anecdotes and experiences can be an engaging way to start an essay, relying too much on stories is generally not effective, especially for academic writing. Anecdotes are usually better left out unless they are specifically asked for and directly relate to proving your thesis. In most cases, essays require facts, data, examples and ideas – not personal experiences. Save the stories for more creative works.
Avoid Fluff or Filler
Fluff refers to meaningless or unnecessary filler content used just to lengthen an essay without adding substance. Things like repeating yourself, stating the obvious, or including random tangents are examples of fluff. Readers can easily identify when an essay is padded out with fluff rather than concrete ideas and supporting details. Get straight to the point in each paragraph and only include content that clearly advances your argument.
Avoid Plagiarism
This one should go without saying, but plagiarism is absolutely something to avoid in any academic essay. Not only is it unethical, but teachers have various tools to detect plagiarized content. Always properly cite any outside sources using the requested citation style. When taking information from another work, quote or paraphrase and clearly attribute the source. And never pass off someone else’s work as your own. Plagiarism is considered academic dishonesty and could result in serious consequences.
Avoid Rambling or Going Off Topic
While it’s good to explore ideas fully, essays still need structure and focus. Rambling occurs when a writer loses track of their main point and argument, meandering down side roads without tying ideas back to the thesis. Paragraphs should have strong topic sentences and closure to keep content on topic. Similarly, avoid going completely off on tangents not relevant to proving the thesis statement. Stay focused on the central question or problem outlined.
Avoid Bias or Subjectivity
Ideally, academic essays are persuasive specifically because they establish a reasonable, balanced perspective using facts and logic rather than emotion or personal opinion. While your own informed viewpoint is acceptable, reliance on bias precludes objective consideration of alternative perspectives. Similarly, avoid phrasing where personal feelings or preferences could influence readers. Stick to an impartial, analytic style backed by verifiable evidence.
Avoid Informal Language
Unless specified otherwise, academic essays require a formal writing style. This rules out slang, cliches, contractions and other informal language not appropriate for serious nonfiction. Word choice and sentence structure should demonstrate an elevated, sophisticated level of writing ability. While the topic itself can cover casual matters, the presentation should maintain a scholarly, professional tone through formal diction and syntax.
Avoid Simplistic Arguments
Strong arguments involve complex, nuanced thinking that considers multiple sides of an issue without easy answers. They demonstrate a thorough grasp of various viewpoints, evidence and scholarly discussions surrounding the topic. In contrast, oversimplified theses that reduce ideas to black-and-white or fail to appreciate contradictory information tend to weaken an analysis and reduce credibility. Aim for sophistication over simplistic claims.
Avoid Redundancy
Being repetitive by saying the same things in different words wastes space, causes boredom for readers and damages flow. Each new paragraph should advance your perspectives or evidence in an original manner rather than just restating previous content. Similarly, avoid repeating your thesis statement verbatim throughout the essay. Redundant content diminishes impact. Be concise and vary phrasing while sustaining focus on the central argument.
Avoid Too Much Description
While setting the scene and providing context can help engagement, too many descriptive details can derail an essay’s momentum and train of thought. Save elaborate background, physical portrayals or plot summaries for creative works. academic essays require analyzing more so than narrating. Keep any description succinct and directly relevant to developing analysis. Avoid getting bogged down in nonessential portrayal.
Avoid Generalizations
Blanket statements like “all,” “never,” “everyone,” etc. are risky in academic writing since absolute claims are difficult to support with evidence across every situation or population. They ignore complexity and alternatives. Specific examples, data and caveats strengthen arguments more than overbroad generalizations. Qualify assertions to allow for exceptions rather than flat statements, while still drawing reasonable conclusions based on available information.
Avoid Excessive Quotations
Quotations have value since they allow experts to speak directly, but over-quoting loses your own voice. After the initial quotation introducing a concept or perspective, paraphrase and analyze to demonstrate comprehension rather repetition of verbatim lines. Weave references together analytically rather than relying on stringing together block quotes. Synthesize information and present it articulately in your own words whenever possible.
Avoid Poor Structure
Readers should follow your logical progression easily with minimal confusion. Each paragraph needs a clear topic sentence signaling its purpose and transitions to guide understanding between ideas. Similarly, varied connective language (“however,” “moreover,” “in addition,” etc) helps integrate components smoothly. Consider dividing longer essays into clear sections with headings if applicable. Careful organization lends coherence.
Avoid Sensationalist Claims
While bold declarations might grab attention in other genres, complex academic topics usually don’t benefit from hyped up, eye-catching statements. They come across as exaggerated or implausible rather than founded. Focus on well-supported analysis using measured, carefully qualified terms rather than overstated prose without evidence or backing. Sensationalism risks damaging your authority on the subject.
Avoid Mistakes
Whether typos, grammatical errors, faulty facts or citation mistakes – any sort of flaw damages the professional appearance of an essay. Carefully proofread for mechanical errors and inaccuracies before submission. Double check all details, quotes have correct punctuation and references are consistent. Minor glitches undermine your presentation even if they don’t affect substance. Polish and precision contribute positively.
Effective academic writing requires sidestepping common pitfalls like weak structure, subjective claims, tangents, filler content and more to present sophisticated analysis supported by solid evidence. Focusing instead on concision, objectivity, organization and proper mechanics results in high-caliber essays able to demonstrate competence on the subject. With practice at avoiding these issues, writers strengthen their skills at persuasive, scholarly communication.
Andrew Stroud