How to Write an Essay - College Writing Tips

College writing is a challenging course for many newreport on the information or subject assigned.
college students. In my experience teaching collegeInstead of just writing about Washington's life, for
writing, I have found a number of key tips veryexample, you might analyze the role Washington
useful for my students. Although every essay writingplayed in the formation of the United States of
situation is different, some general principles apply toAmerica. Instead of writing a simply summary of
most every writing problem. Read on to find out howJohn Updike's "A&P" you might analyze the
you can write an essay for any college class to getcharacters, the story's theme, or its relationship to
the 'A' you want.larger social, political, or even economic issues.
The most important thing to note about collegeA good college essay should demonstrate creativity
writing is the difference between a high school essayin both the essay's composition and its arguments.
and a college level essay. The differences betweenCritical thinking takes more work than a basic
these two types of essays can be very difficult tosummary or simple report, but the college experience
understand at first as most college writing classes dois supposed to be more challenging than high school.
not point out them out and often assume thatIf you expect to write a good college-level essay,
students are already aware of the expectations inyou will need to invest time and effort into the
college writing.process. Of course, the experiences you had with
The objective of most high school essays (I amwriting in high school will play a major role in your
generalizing here) is to report information or tosuccess (or struggle) in a college writing class. Some
demonstrate basic understanding of the courseof my students come well prepared and have little
material. You might, for example, write an essaytrouble getting an A on an essay. Other students,
about the life and times of George Washington. Youunfortunately, are not as prepared and have to work
might also write an essay about "A&P" - the wellharder to get the grade they want.
known John Updike short story.Keep these points in mind the next time you get
In college, your instructors will ask you to use criticalstuck writing your college essay, and you're bound to
thinking and analysis in your writing and not to simplyhave more success!