10 Ways to Ruin a College Paper

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These points, though they seem obvious, are very helpful. I know for sure that high school students, including myself, do these things on a regular basis. I'm constantly relying on spell check and grammar check to correct my work. I use irrelevant information to make the paper fit the page requirement. Mainly, I need to support my thesis more. I'll take these rules into consideration while writing my papers.

Sara S of LA 10:20PM February 09, 2012

I feel like almost everyone has these problems while writing a paper, and this "guide" really helps me as a student look at my paper and analyze the problems I have.

Keely of LA 1:19PM February 07, 2012

I agree with the statements made in the blog. I also feel that focus on argument would help the paper because it helps the writer get their point across and helps them stay on topic. The paper should be assertive but not overly aggressive, like a happy medium.

Tylor Harris of LA 12:58PM February 07, 2012

If I were responding to this article corresponding to the current paper I am working on, then numbers three, four, and six most likely are describing me. I tend to not formulate a clear argument in my papers with support and information I have on my topic. I also have a tendency to put irrelevant summaries if I am writing about a certain piece of literature. Lastly, number six explains how it is frustrating to read a paper that doesn't include in-order logical analyses and I think that is something I need to work on.

dsellars810 of LA 12:52PM February 07, 2012

While reading this article, I started to realize that I make a bunch of these mistakes through out my writing. I particularly liked your comments about forming a thesis. Having a strong thesis has always been a weak point throughout my writing, but I know see just how important it is in along all of these other ideas. Thanks for the great advice!

Susan of LA 10:27AM February 07, 2012

This is a really helpful article, numbers 1, 6, and 7 stuck out to me. It is important to create a thesis in every paper, and no sentence should be stuck in as a filler. Just typing to get the page requirement is not a good plan.

Big J Darden of LA 10:21AM February 07, 2012

This is a really helpful article, numbers 1, 6, and 7 stuck out to me. It is important to create a thesis in every paper, and no sentence should be stuck in as a filler. Just typing to get the page requirement is not a good plan.

Big J Darden of LA 10:21AM February 07, 2012

Forming a thesis is crucial, as well as getting rid of all unnecessary sentences. If you don't make sure to do these things, your essay will probably appear to be too wordy. A thesis allows focus.

Leanna of LA 8:30AM February 07, 2012

Great article! I've heard these criteria from my teachers time after time but still find it difficult to follow through. It's nice to have a set of clear rules though so as not to embarassing myself in college writing. Number 5 particularly rings a bell. I'll often force myself to write down a thesis statement or the logical conclusion to my paper's arguments before writing the body of the paper. Thanks for the advice!

Leah of LA 10:28PM February 06, 2012

I particularly agree with numbers 1,3, and 8 because they all pertain to me. I tend to fade off topic and not focus on the question, which causes me to write too much. Consequently, I tend to write in big blocks because I pack together too much information on a particular point. My goal is to compile more claims with less rambling as opposed to less claims with more rambling.

VINCENT of LA 10:07PM February 06, 2012