Extended "discourse," such as class presentations or essays written as school assignments, has a particular structure arising from particular expectations and standards. Such structure, expectations, ...

The dreaded blank page. It’s a familiar scene for anyone who’s ever tried to write an essay. The ideas are swirling, but organizing them can feel like untangling a bowl of spaghetti. Two methods often ...

Dennis Allen doesn’t think the five-paragraph essay is dead. In the years before his retirement in May from West Virginia University, the Professor Emeritus did not assign “strict” five-paragraph ...

Many college applications require a personal essay, which can be daunting for students to write. But a few simple tips, some introspection and insight into what admissions officers are looking for can ...

Show your personality. Focus on personal experiences when choosing a topic. Prioritize strong editing while staying true to your voice. College application essays are where you can demonstrate your ...

Thesis & Motive (20%). The motivation for addressing the chosen problem, the explication of the main argument or claim, as seen mainly in the introduction and conclusion Evidence & Analysis (50%). The ...