Many people have trouble writing an essay.It can be hard to remember the length of an essay when you are writing quickly.With some organization and attention to editing, you should be able to keep any essay under its assigned word limit.While respecting the word limit you were given, this guide will help you keep the quality of your essay strong.
Step 1: A clear thesis is what you want to develop.
The overall point of the essay is the thesis statement.Most of the time, it is a one sentence response to the prompt.You can use a clear thesis statement to back up your claims in the rest of the essay.If your teacher gives you a prompt, what is the most important invention of the 19th century?The steam engine was the most important invention of the 19th century.It helps to have a clear thesis statement.This will allow you to reduce off-topic sections in your essay.
Step 2: There is an outline.
An outline will allow you to remember the parts of the essay that need to be included.It will help you figure out how long each part should be.Write out the main points you would like to make in your thesis statement.One of the paragraphs in your essay will be based on each separate point.How long your essay is supposed to be will affect the number of points you need to support.There are two or three paragraphs per page.If you are writing a 2 to 3 page paper, you will only need a few points.You will need more points in your outline if you are writing a 10 to 12 page paper.Adding bullet-pointed thoughts to your main supporting points is a good idea.As you outline, this can help you build the structure of your paragraphs.
Step 3: Stay on topic.
To stay within your word count, you need to stay on topic.Follow your outline closely.One way to make sure you stay on topic is to check your outline and thesis statement after you finish writing.The paragraph needs to address your main topic in order to support your thesis.Remove anecdotes that increase word count.Side points should not be followed up just because they are interesting.The thesis statement should be supported by the entire content of the essay.Don't cut them if you accidentally go off on a tangent.You will have less to work with if you start cutting content while you are writing the rough draft.
Step 4: Track your word count as you go.
You can keep track of the number of words in your essay with most advanced word processing programs.You should use this feature to make sure you are on track.If you have written half of the paragraphs you outlined, you are on track to have the right number of words in your essay.You can use the "Word Count" option in Microsoft Word.You might need to look in different places in other programs.The word count feature can be found on the "Help" menu.An online word counting tool will show the number of words and characters.The average number of words per page is 100 to 200.Depending on how big your writing is, the number of words on your pages can vary.
Step 5: You wrote an essay several times.
You might use too many words in your first essay.This is where people can lose out.If you leave your essay until the last minute, you won't have time to read it and remove unneeded words.To make sure the words flow, read the essay out loud.A friend or peer can help check your work.A neutral set of eyes can help spot repetition.
Step 6: Additional information should be placed at the end of the essay.
Where possible, place charts, lists, case studies, diagrams, mind maps, drawings, etc.There is an attachment at the end of the essay.The word count will reflect the number of words you used in the body of your essay.Attempts to hide additional information in footnotes are frowned upon by most teachers and professors.Footnotes are meant to reference and occasionally bolster points, not provide additional information that you couldn't cram in anywhere else.
Step 7: It's time to sleep on it.
You can see errors and repetition with time.If you finish the essay before it's due, you have time to put it aside and come back to it.You can remove extraneous words in the rereading.
Step 8: After you have drafted your essay, reduce the word count.
Don't worry if you go over the word limit, just keep writing.After you're done writing, trim your essay.If you want to reduce your word count, you need to get all your points written down.You're more likely to have a concise and clear essay if you trim the excess after you've written it.If you want to edit later, write first.You will end up throwing out ideas that add to your paper if you constantly worry about word limits.
Step 9: Single words replace phrases.
There are always opportunities to say more.There are areas in your essay where you can be more concise."Ask for" or "put up with" can often be replaced with single verbs."simultaneously" and "by the same token" should be used."Immediately" can be used instead of phrases such as "right now" and "as soon as.""It should be obvious that" and other full clauses can be replaced with single adverbs.The conjunction " because" can be used to rewrite a sentence with "the reason why... is that...""The reason why ice floats is that..." becomes simply: "Ice floats because..."
Step 10: Words that do not change the meaning of your sentences are taken out.
Words that do not add anything to your sentences can be removed when you are editing your work."Actually," "really," or "basically" can be omitted.Taking extraneous words out makes your sentences stronger.The statement "I am actually a great writer" sounds better when it is stated simply.
Step 11: It is also known as pleonasms.
Common redundancies can be eliminated to reduce your word count."added bonus," "chase after," and "end result" are some of the common redundancies."Where is she going?" is a sentence.Where is the house?There are unnecessary prepositions.If they are not followed by the object in these constructions, they don't have to be overt.
Step 12: Repetition should be removed.
Try to make as many points as possible.The need to repeat yourself is eliminated when you make your point effectively and succinctly.This is a skill worth honing, you will appreciate it throughout your life.You should only mention your points when you make them.If you find yourself mentioning a point a lot and it doesn't support the specific paragraph, then you should remove it.
Step 13: If you have to, avoid excessive hedging.
When discussing theories, predictions, allegations, or correlations, you have to qualify statements."Maybe" or "might" are words that reduce your statement.In a sentence, don't use multiple forms of the same hedging.There is a chance that the man might come today.There is a chance that the man will come today.I think that is an unnecessary form of hedging.Give the reason why you think so instead of writing it down.Say "Variable A will likely increase variable B because..."
Step 14: The first sentence should be removed from your paragraphs.
The first sentence of a paragraph does not add to the overall point of the paragraph.Go through your essay and see if there are any first sentences you can easily remove.The first and second sentences of your paragraphs can be combined.Sometimes you can combine them and reduce your word count, while retaining the underlying meaning of both of them.
Step 15: Don't get too attached to your writing.
Good writers know what to cut.Do you want to wade through this?Is it written in a way that is engaging?You know that you're not communicating well with your audience if you don't answer no.Don't completely destroy excess ideas if you think they have merit.Place them in a new piece of writing.