Common Mistakes New College Writers Make (and How to Fix Them)
Writing in college can feel daunting, but with a few key adjustments, you can make your essays clearer, stronger, and more persuasive. Here are some of the most common mistakes new college writers make—and how to fix them. Follow the links for more detail on each topic.
No (or Unfocused) Thesis Statement
Your thesis is the heart of your essay—it tells your reader what you’re arguing and why. Many students either don’t include a thesis or bury it at the end of the essay, missing the opportunity to guide their writing from the start. A strong thesis responds directly to the prompt, using its language to frame a clear argument. For example, if you’re answering this question from your essay assignment:
| “ | Charlie in “Babylon Revisited” and the narrator in “Araby” both grapple with missed opportunities. How do you respond to their regrets? | ” |
A weak thesis might say, “Both characters deal with regret.” Instead, aim for something focused, like “While both characters struggle with regret, Charlie’s attempts at redemption contrast sharply with the narrator’s passive longing, revealing different approaches to lost opportunities.”
Learn more: Developing a Strong Thesis Statement | Writing an Effective Introduction | Conclusions and Call to Action
No Title
A paper without a title is like a book with a blank cover—it gives your reader no clue about what’s inside. Your title should hint at your argument, not just restate the assignment. Instead of “Essay 1,” try “The Weight of Regret in ‘Babylon Revisited’ and ‘Araby.’”
Learn more: Crafting a Strong Essay Title
No Hook
Your introduction should engage the reader. Avoid starting with vague generalizations like “Since the beginning of time, humans have felt regret.” Instead, try an interesting fact, a thought-provoking question, or a strong statement related to your topic.
Learn more: Writing a Compelling Hook
Lack of Organization
A college essay needs structure: a clear introduction, body paragraphs that each develop a single point, and a conclusion that ties everything together. Many students write stream-of-consciousness essays that lack logical flow. Plan before you write.
Learn more: Structuring a Formal Essay | Essay Organization Strategies
Wordiness and Poor Word Choice
Concise writing is more persuasive. Avoid unnecessary words—“due to the fact that” can be replaced with “because.” Also, be precise: “This thing” is unclear; “This theme” is better.
Learn more: Eliminating Wordiness | Choosing the Right Words
Weak Use of Textual Evidence
A strong argument is supported by textual evidence. Many students either don’t include enough support or drop in quotations without analysis. Every quotation should be introduced and explained—don’t assume the reader knows why it matters.
Learn more: Incorporating Evidence | Using Quotations and Paraphrases
Vague Pronouns (“This” Without a Noun)
Sentences like “This is important” leave the reader wondering: What is important? Instead, be specific: “This theme of regret is central to the story.”
Learn more: Avoiding Vague Pronouns
Mixing Up Possessives and Plurals
“The characters struggles are evident.” Oops—this should be “The characters’ struggles” (plural possessive). Proofreading for apostrophe errors can make your writing more polished.
Learn more: Possessives vs. Plurals
Improve Your Writing Step by Step
Writing is a skill that improves with practice. If you’re struggling with any of these areas, visit the full FAQ for more guidance. Keep learning, keep refining, and soon, writing college essays will feel much easier!