Writing Tips Menu Item #5: Single Biggest Mistake

> Writing Tips Menu Item #5: Single Biggest Mistake

The Single Biggest Essay Writing Mistake

There are of course many mistakes that students — and others — make when writing essays. The single biggest mistake of all, however, is probably failing to articulate a clear thesis statement or argument (which usually belongs in the introduction).

A paper without a clear thesis statement is probably a paper that lacks focus and direction, written by someone who has not taken enough time to think through the assignment.

If you want to produce a quality essay, force yourself to formulate a clear thesis statement that you incorporate into your introduction. Let it sit for a while and then review it, putting yourself in the place of the reader. From the perspective of a reader — not your own perspective — ask yourself:

Does the thesis statement seem clear to you?
Does it give you a sense as to where the essay will be leading you?
Does the thesis argument interest you enough to make you want to read further?

Try reading the thesis statement out loud to someone you know who is willing to listen: your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your roommate, your mother. The simple act of reading the statement out loud will probably make you more aware of how it might be improved.

Only when your thesis statement has met the tests just described are you really ready to proceed with the final drafting of the paper.

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