Once you’ve finished your first draft, put it down and walk away. After some time has passed, go back and reread it with fresh eyes. Chances are you’ll have an easier time spotting the problem areas if you’ve left it alone for a little while. Keep in mind that even the most seasoned editors write multiple drafts of their work. Revising and editing is all part of the essay writing process.
After you’ve reread the draft, ask yourself the following questions:
Does the essay accomplish what it sets out to do? In other words, do your topic sentences relate to the thesis?
Do your supporting sentences truly support your argument? Are they complete sentences?
Are you leaving out any critical information in support of your thesis?
Did you include transitions so that paragraphs flow smoothly?
Are any sentences out of order or unnecessary?
Overall, does your essay have an obvious beginning, middle, and end?
Once you’ve addressed these “housekeeping” elements, it’s time to think about the emotional content of your work. Remember, a college essay is your first opportunity to present yourself to the admissions team. In turn, you want to be sure you’ve creating a something the reader will remember.
Here are some easy edits that will punch up your prose and make sure you’re essay is as memorable as it can be.
Try to vary the sentence structure whenever possible. Subtle surprises are sure to hook your reader and hold their attention until the essay’s conclusion.
Have you included enough specifics as you can? Detailed descriptions of people, places, and ideas will make your writing more colorful and engaging.
GOLDEN RULE: If any sentence is confusing, rewrite it! You don’t want to run the risk of your reader putting down your college essay because they do not understand what you are saying.
Spell check your work at least three times! If you aren’t the world’s greatest speller, ask someone to help you.
Finally, ask someone else to read your essay and also read your essay out loud. You’ll be surprised how often errors will pop out at you when you hear them spoken.