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Little things count for a lot in your college essay. You only get about 500 words to knock the socks off an admissions officer, so you can’t afford to waste any of them. Certain words and figures of speech can seriously dilute your command of an argument, or the impact of your story\u2014namely clich\u00e9s and generalizations. Skip what’s on this list and protect your genius ideas from the mire of inarticulateness!<\/p>\n
1. \u00a0\u201cThroughout history\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u201d<\/strong> Okay\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6but exactly when<\/em> in history? \u201cHistory\u201d is about as general as you can get and it’s likely unnecessary to tack onto a sentence. Either be much more specific or cut it.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0\u201cDue to the fact that\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u201d<\/strong> This one just doesn’t sound good. You can probably trim this down to a simple \u201cbecause,\u201d but again, you more than likely do not actually need this phrase to connect the dots for the reader.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0\u201cIn this day and age…\u201d<\/strong> See #1. When?? Just say it!<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0\u201cWin some, lose some,” \u201cEasy come, easy go,\u201d \u201cBetween a rock and a hard place\u201d<\/strong>\u2014you get the drift. These sayings are less than eloquent and you need to do the work yourself: come up with your own description and\/or summation of your subject matter.<\/p>\n 5. \u00a0\u201cShed light on the fact that\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u201d<\/strong> This is a double no. \u201cShed light on\u201d is clich\u00e9. What about \u201creveals?\u201d It’s more specific. \u201cThe fact that\u201d is another one of these unnecessary intros to the point you’re about to make. Just state the fact without this annoying preface.<\/p>\n 6. \u00a0\u201cBasically,\u201d \u201cessentially,\u201d \u201cvery,\u201d \u201creally,\u201d \u201cquite,\u201d \u201ctotally…\u201d<\/strong> AKA \u201cintensifiers,\u201d (and to some, \u201cteen speech\u201d). Your writing doesn’t need the extra help you’re looking for in these words.<\/p>\n 7. \u00a0\u201cConsidered to be\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u201d<\/strong> By whom? Why? And you can probably just say, \u201cSo-and-so is<\/em><\/strong> the smartest woman who ever lived.\u201d<\/p>\n 8. \u00a0\u201cLiterally\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u201d<\/strong> This word is literally the worst word to use in an essay, ever. It’s a college essay: it’s given that whatever you’re discussing is real\/actual\/not in a dream world.<\/p>\n 9. \u00a0\u201cIn conclusion\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u201d<\/strong> Maybe I spoke too soon and this is literally the worst expression to use in a college essay. Do you really think we can’t figure out that the last paragraph of your paper is your conclusion! Again, no warning necessary, just go ahead and conclude!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Little things count for a lot in your college essay. You only get about 500 words to knock the socks off an admissions officer, so you can’t afford to waste any of them. Certain words continue reading<\/span>