Writing Successful Essays For College

Secondary school trains students to write formulaic papers as a way to teach organization. By graduation, students ought to be prepared to write essays for college. Secondary school trains students to write formulaic papers as a way to teach organization. By graduation, students ought to be prepared to write essays for college. Many students entering the next stage of education discover that they have not ready after all. Writers have to demonstrate the ability to write collegiate-level papers if they want to receive good grades from professors. The biggest problem faced after high school is the five-paragraph essay formula. Students learn to write this style in their first high school papers. The formula contains 5 paragraphs, beginning with a boring introduction. First sentences usually ask questions, then writers answers themselves. The thesis is placed at the end the actual topic sentence is further into the passage. Students need to forget what they learned in high school and read carefully because college-level writing is rarely formulaic. Professors are concerned with developing critical thinking skills in students. A list of 3 facts is a formulaic mess, not a real thesis.

Theses should develop an argument centered around one substantial purpose. Start by reading the assignment prompt, and then try to form an opinion on the issue. After deciding on a single position, build ideas around that opinion to write a thesis that says something meaningful. Don’t end the first paragraph there: support the thesis with a few more sentences that support that central argument. Experiment with writing one or more transition sentences before the topic sentence. Smooth transitions make papers cohesive and easier to read. Professors hate reading papers that jump from point to point without logical connections. There is no rule to the number of paragraphs or supporting points, although instructors usually have word and page number requirements. A good paper can have as few as two well-developed topics to support the thesis, or it might have many. Focus on substantial, goal-oriented information, not redundant filler. Conclusions should be fresh. Professors look for originality, so avoid lingering on the same issues stated in the thesis. Some professors write, “Do more than restate the thesis in the conclusion” directly in the assignment instructions. Papers should develop an argument, even if they do not provide a solution. Avoid getting stuck repeating the same thing with no purpose. Of course, spelling and grammar are very important, but there is so much more to writing essays for college successfully. The highest grades go to papers that have a clear purpose. Students should evaluate their personal writing and try to identify formulaic elements so these habits can be eliminated. High school writing consists of formulas and personal experience based papers, and these lack the critical thinking skills professors want to see in student writing.

United States History to 1900 binders; but I only see text books. I am guessing that what you have is some sort of teacher’s edition? Do you have any idea where I could find what you have or do you know what the closest thing would be to what you have? I have used several of your activities while teaching and my students love them. I found your website in the middle of the school year last year and now I am looking forward to using more of your ideas this year! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so happy you’ve found my lesson plans to be helpful! Thank you so much for the helpful tips. I’ve been teaching for 8 years, but every once in I receive an 8th grade class. This information is beyond helpful. Thank you for posting this and taking the time to put this together. Thank you for visiting!

I’m in the same position! I hope you have a blessed year! I haven’t taught 8th grade social studies in 20 yrs and am excited (and a little nervous) about getting back to it. THANK YOU for sharing so many valuable ideas and resources. I feel better already! I’m so glad this has helped! This is a great resource and has rejuvenated me, a 9th grade World History teacher who is dealing with a great deal of apathy and that’s not the students! KimGiancaterino: Thank you so much! I am a teacher and love it! My goodness, I think you have a calling to be a teacher, if you aren’t one already. Hopefully you’ll find this lens helpful! Have a blessed year! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was just hired for my first year teaching – one week before school starts. I will need all the help I can get, and this info looks great! 1983: Thank you so much! I enjoy reading your lens, nicely done! I’m so glad this has been helpful!