No Need to Use Long Words That No One Else Knows
Get rid of words that are unfamiliar to most readers. For example, do NOT say: She wrapped a scarf around her florid face. Instead say: She wrapped a scarf around her ruddy face. The word “florid,” which is used less often than “ruddy,” could interrupt a reader’s thoughts.
Get rid of forms of the verb “to be.” For example, do NOT say: I am hoping to see my brother in his orchestra recital. Instead say: I hope to see my brother in his orchestra recital. Notice how much more energy appears in the words, “I hope” as opposed to the words, “I am hoping.” And, yes, sometimes following this rule will require an entire sentence be rewritten in order to get rid of a form of the verb “to be.”
Get rid of all adverbs. For example, do NOT say: I walked quickly towards the airport exit gate. Instead say: I strode towards the airport exit gate. Go through your entire essay and eliminate the adverbs. Then choose stronger verbs that include the concept of the adverbs you eliminated.
Use descriptive adjectives rather than generic adjectives. For example, do NOT say: She wore a nice dress. Instead say: She wore a knee-length dress made of a navy wool fabric.
Limit your use of the pronoun, I. Yes, a college application essay is about you. Yet dynamic language calls for reducing the number of times a writer uses the personal pronoun. For example, do NOT say: I wanted to proofread the essay that I had written before I had to pick up my sister at her ballet lesson. Instead say: Before picking up my sister at her ballet lesson, I wanted to proofread my essay....
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Author: Phyllis Zimbler Miller