Cut The Fluff! How to Keep Your Essay Lean
No one likes a bloated essay. Whether you're struggling to hit that ever-elusive word count or simply want to ensure your writing is as tight as possible, cutting the fluff is essential. But how do you do it without ending up with an essay that feels watered down? All of our writers here at Ghost Scholar have been trained to keep the works as lean as a champion bodybuilder. Here are some tips to help you cut the fluff of your writings!
Start with a strong thesis statement that states the main point of your essay
When it comes to a thesis statement, the key is to start strong and finish stronger. Your thesis should be the bedrock of your essay, dictating an interesting yet focused path while providing you with a spirited challenge to explore. The main point of a thesis statement – whether funny or serious – is to capture the reader’s attention and provide an outline that will keep you both interested and on track throughout the essay. If you think of it as the spark that ignites your paper, you’ll never run out of intellectually stimulating ideas for your next great literary adventure!
Make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your thesis
Writing a great essay starts with having a good plan. Before you begin, decide on the main point of your essay and make sure that everything in the paragraph serves to support this idea. Without this plan, individual paragraphs can quickly become random thoughts without cohesion or organization. Create a topic sentence to introduce the main point in each paragraph, so your reader knows what they're getting into instinctively. Think of it as a mini-thesis statement! This clear direction will ensure every part of your essay is well-written and purposeful - who knew puns could be so useful?
Cut out any unnecessary details or "fluff" that doesn't contribute to your argument
We can all agree that extraneous details are like unwanted guests at a party – just when you think you’ve got the perfect mix of people and conversation, somebody comes along and makes things awkward. Writing an argument is no different. If you include irrelevant information or trite ‘fluff’ that doesn't contribute to your point, it can bog down your readers, who will be left feeling like they’ve been cornered by one of those over-talkative party people trying to explain why Star Wars is superior to Star Trek (while you inwardly groan). To keep readers engaged and avoid confusing them, be sure to only include pertinent facts and relevant arguments in what you write. Cut out any unnecessary details or ‘fluff’ that just don’t add up.
Keep your language concise and to the point
We've all heard the old adage, "Less is more ." Well, it's especially true when it comes to language. It's easy to feel tempted to use big words as an attempt to sound sophisticated, but without context and clarity, imprecise language can create more confusion than anything else. When speaking or writing, aim for clear and concise communication over verbosity - this will ensure your message is getting across as effectively as possible. So if you're looking to impress somebody with your linguistic abilities, opt for short sentences that get your point across succinctly - trust us, they'll appreciate it!
Use active voice whenever possible, and stay away from passive voice constructions
When it comes to writing, the difference between active voice and passive voice is like night and day. Active voice gives your writing more vigor; it's straightforward and adds enthusiasm. Passive voice should be avoided since it sounds wishy-washy, leaving readers far less likely to be engaged. So make sure you keep an eye out for those pesky "be verb" words ("was," "is," "were," etc.) and turn them into active statements instead. Your readers will thank you for taking the leap!
Edit and revise your essay before you submit it
Before submitting your essay, you'll want to make sure that it's in tip-top shape. A quick edit and revision can help save you from being embarrassed by careless grammatical errors or a lack of clarity. It might seem like an inconvenience, and it certainly takes time, but the results are worth it; a few minutes spent editing could be the difference between getting a good grade or getting... well, something else. Plus, when it comes to writing competitions and scholarship applications, having an impeccably crafted essay is essential. So before clicking 'submit,' take a moment to have another read-through and refine your work - even the most brilliant writers need to give their essays the once-over!
Now that you know the secret to writing a great essay. Consider hiring a Ghost Scholar to write your next paper for you! We guarantee it'll be well-organized, clearly written, and will stay on topic - everything your professor wants. Plus, we can help with any citation style, whether it's MLA, APA, Chicago, or anything else. Give us a try today!