| Dealing with the word count for your college essay | | | | 6. Cut adjectives. In the desire to write descriptively, |
| can be tricky. You've worked hard, love what you've | | | | students will sometimes load their essays up with too |
| done and don't want to lose a single word. But | | | | many adjectives. Faced with the need to cut, look |
| College Admission Officers have a very good sense | | | | for places where you might have used two |
| of when an essay is too long, so you really don't | | | | adjectives when one would suffice, or where the |
| have a choice. Some ways to approach this difficult | | | | adjective can be eliminated completely. |
| task include: | | | | 7. Experiment. Using a computer allows a writer to |
| 1. Take out large chunks first. Depending on how | | | | experiment with which cuts work and which don't. |
| many words you're over, it's usually best to omit | | | | Play around, try things. You might discover a terrific |
| large sections of the essay first, rather than try to | | | | cut you didn't anticipate. |
| chip away, a word at a time. If there's a point that is | | | | 8. Stick with your strengths. Every essay has certain |
| eating up a lot of your word count, and you feel the | | | | points, sentences, paragraphs, phrases that are |
| essay can hold together without it, delete those | | | | stronger than others. In cutting your essay down, |
| sentences then reread carefully. Be aware that your | | | | start with the weaker stuff. |
| essay might not flow as smoothly so be prepared to | | | | 9. Fall out of love. Writers often fall in love with their |
| add some transition words or phrases. | | | | work, believing that every word, every syllable, is a |
| 2. Start faster. We all know that the opening of your | | | | gem. True as that might be in your case, you've got |
| essay is critical; these cuts might actually improve it. | | | | to be tough and spurn those extra words. |
| Look for ways to get into the body of your essay | | | | 10. Wrap it up. Students will sometimes strain for |
| with fewer words. Pick out the strongest sentence | | | | profundity in their final paragraph, adding words and |
| or phrase in your opening and see if that can work | | | | ideas, "selling" themselves. In lowering your essay's |
| by itself. | | | | word count, look for ways to trim your closing |
| 3. Stick to the point. Comb your essay for points | | | | paragraph. |
| that stray from your major subject. These can often | | | | Of course, word count issues can go the other way; |
| be eliminated, not only saving words but tightening | | | | you've written your essay and it's fifty words short. |
| your essay. | | | | If you find yourself in this situation, be very careful |
| 4. Check for repetition. It's been my experience that | | | | about padding what's there, as it can make your |
| students will often repeat a point, using slightly | | | | essay feel rambling and hollow. Instead, brainstorm on |
| different words, two or more times within the essay. | | | | an additional point, inspired by what you've already |
| Reread scrupulously to discover and omit these | | | | written. Can you go further in describing an event? |
| mistakes. | | | | Deeper in relating your feelings? Is there an incident |
| 5. Be economical. Look for places where you've used | | | | you left out, that might add to your subject? Go |
| three words when you could have used one. You will | | | | back to your original notes and see if there was a |
| be surprised at how many times you've done it and | | | | point you didn't pursue, that might now fit in. Don't |
| how many words you can eliminate this way. | | | | merely add words, add ideas. |