You’ve just finished reading The Handmaid’s Tale. You know the plot backward and forward. You know all about chemical spills, the oppression of women, declining fertility rates, and the story of a Handmaid (Offred) and her life in a totalitarian society. The problem? You haven’t quite figured out what it all means. If you’re struggling …
What is it about compare and contrast essays that makes them so difficult to get started? Maybe it’s having to juggle two different subjects in one essay. Usually you set your sights on one topic and tackle it directly. However, with a compare and contrast essay, you have to tackle two subjects. Plus, while addressing …
“You held me down, but I got up Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough” —“Roar” by Katy Perry “R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me R-E-S-P-E-C-T / Take care, TCB” —“Respect” by Aretha Franklin “I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big …
If you’ve ever found yourself in a new romantic relationship, you probably know that there are three tiny words that can make or break it all: “I love you.” Those three little words can wreak havoc on anyone. Should you say, “I love you”? What if the person doesn’t love you back? What do you …
WANTED: Witty, engaging writers to share their opinions about current, relevant, and/or local topics. Must be able to create buzz-worthy writing that gets people talking. If this sounds like you, I have the perfect writing assignment: an op-ed. Op-eds (opinions and editorials) are short essays published in newspapers. They were designed to allow the average …
The expository essay—it’s an unavoidable essay in your educational career. In fact, teachers and professors love assigning it so much that some freshmen writing courses are devoted entirely to writing the expository essay. That’s a lot of expository essay writing! If you’re going to be writing this type of essay over and over again, you …
If you’re assigned to write a critique and your first thought is, “I have absolutely no idea how to write a critique,” that’s understandable. But in all actuality, you probably already have a sense of how to critique. Need proof? Think about trying a new corner deli. The first time you visit, you evaluate the deli …
Unless your prof has taught a grand total of no more than one course in her teaching career, chances are she’s already tired of reading papers about topics like these: The differences between high school and college Marijuana legalization Gun control School uniforms While it is possible to write a uniquely fascinating research paper about …
It’s late at night, and you’re desperate to find a good movie. You start scrolling through the thousands of options offered on your favorite video streaming service. What if instead of a short two-line summary of each movie, the service only offered a three-page detailed overview and analysis? Who has the time (or desire) to …
Ask a surfer gal in SoCal about her life, and she might reply, “Livin’ the dream.” Ask the same question to a survivalist living off the grid in Alaska or to an off-Broadway actor living in a 400-square-foot studio apartment in NYC, and they’re also likely to express the same satisfaction about living their American …
Think plagiarism isn’t serious? Think about this: How would you feel if you went to the doctor with back pain that left you unable to function? After running a few tests, the doctor breaks the news to you: back surgery is needed in order to repair a ruptured disc. The problem with this diagnosis? It’s …
What if I told you that you had to write a research paper but that you didn’t actually have to do any of the research? Pretty sweet deal, right? A document-based question (DBQ) essay is sort of like that. You have to write an essay using a variety of sources, but someone else provides the …
When you’re assigned to write an essay, you usually have two options when it comes to topics. Your prof either says, “Write about one of these assigned topics,” or, “Pick something, and write about it.” There are advantages and disadvantages to both. On the plus side, if you’re assigned a topic, you don’t have to …
You’ve completed at least a few writing courses in your day and have written your share of essays. But just when you think you’ve written every possible type of paper, BAM! You’re hit with a new type of essay: the discursive essay. With the word “curse” seemingly smack dab in the middle of the name, …
Your professor just assigned you another student’s essay to peer review, but maybe you don’t know where to start. That’s okay! Let’s start by taking some of the mystery out of the equation. A peer review, also referred to as peer editing or a peer workshop, is when you read another student’s essay draft and …
The last time I baked cupcakes, I followed the directions on the box to the letter. I’m far from a celebrity chef, so following the recipe would be the only way for me to bake anything edible. My grandmother, on the other hand, never made anything from a box. I don’t even remember her following …
You’ve written at least a gazillion argumentative essays in your academic career, right? And I’m sure that in just about all of them you’ve had to include the counterargument. But have you also included a rebuttal? Right now, some of you might be thinking, “Wait….What? You mean I have to include even more stuff in …
Are you starting college soon? How about your first college-level writing class? Before you trek into this uncharted territory, you’ll want to sharpen your skills and steel yourself for the big day when you’re writing your first major college essay. But you’ll need something more effective than that double-shot of espresso to get you through those …
Less is more, they say. Which, to be honest, kind of bothers me because it’s inherently incorrect. Less most certainly is not more—it is less. However, there are times when having less is better. So for the sake of accuracy, let’s say this—less is better…sometimes. So far I’ve said practically nothing, and I feel better …
The end is the beginning is the end. Or so it constantly seems when writing an essay. As soon as you think you’re finished, it’s time to examine, revise, and rewrite. The end of your first draft marks the beginning of your second. The beginning of your third draft marks the end of your second. …
Here’s an all-too-common scenario faced by students everywhere: you’re assigned to write a paper, but you don’t know what to write about. Your prof tells you to write about something unique, something original, something that interests you. The problem is, right now, the only thing that interests you is finding a topic for your paper. …