10 Steps to a Better Essay
A Germantown Writing
Center Workshop
Check out our workshop video:
- Read your paper aloud
- ask someone to read it to you
- download a screen reader
- listen for confusing sentences or unclear words
- Review grammar, spelling, and punctuation, known as lower-order concerns (LOCs)
- can use word processing software for help, but do not rely on it
- try reading backwards, sentence by sentence
- Phone a friend
- ask someone you trust for help
- ask specific questions which you would like feedback on
- Get organized
- look for patterns
- create folders (real or digital)
- create multiple versions of your essay
- Come to the Writing Center
- write, read, research, and review all in the same place
- open six days a week on all three campuses
- Let it be
- go for a walk
- watch a movie
- set a reminder to review/proofread your paper again
- Look it up (www.m-w.com)
- use a dictionary to find definitions
- use a thesaurus to find antonyms and synonyms
- Go back to your outline
- use it as a checklist to make sure you included everything you intended to
- Trim it up
- remove unnecessary words and empty phrases (deadwood)
- add more main points and/or supporting details if you need additional pages/words
- Take your time
- don't rush
- make a calendar
- set mini-goals
Here is a link to the Prezi that accompanies this workshop.
