A Quick Guide to Some Common Style Issues
The college essay is a personal narrative, NOT an academic essay, which means that certain style rules of academic writing (like never beginning a sentence with “and,” for example) don’t apply as rigidly. Your writing should sound like your voice when you’re talking -- on your best, most articulate, cleverest day. You don’t have to sound “smart” or sophisticated or super-mature; you just need to sound like yourself.
That said, here are some common issues that are more straightforwardly problematic and should be avoided:
Problem
Fragments
Example
When Jules saw Joe and Jess kissing and their friendship almost ended.
How to Improve It
Read it out loud: does it sound like something’s missing? Add the rest, or get rid of words like “when” that make fragments.
Problem
Run-ons
Example
When Jules saw Joe and Jess kissing, their friendship almost ended as she yelled, “You b_____!” to Jess didn’t know what to do or how to make the situation better.
How to Improve It
Read it out loud: too many thoughts with no pause?
Separate complete ideas with periods or semicolons.
Problem
Using non-descriptive, boring language
Examples
Jess felt happy about her decision.
Jules was mad at Jess.
Joe felt sad that Jess couldn’t play any longer.
How to Improve It
Go to thesaurus.com and find some more exact options. For example, happy could be more precisely expressed as elated, content, satisfied, ecstatic, cheerful, etc.
Problem
Your/you’re
Examples
“Your no longer my friend,” said Jules.
“You’re kind’s not welcome here,” they told Jess’ dad.
How to Improve It
your = it belongs to you
you’re = you are
Problem
They’re/there/their
Examples
There no longer best friends.
Their stands a lonely man.
They’re love is over.
How to Improve It
There = a place
Their = it belongs to them
They’re = they are