Rising to the top

Before beginning with today's tips, I must correct myself. This week's blog will address risinghigh school seniors. This year's twelfth graders, congratulations on your pending graduation.

If you follow these guidelines, your writing will be more focused, organized and eloquent. To begin your college essay, consider the central question to answer or problem to be solved. Work in parts. Begin the introduction on one page. The next day, or, at least a few hours later, create the body/details of your paper. Finally, compose the conclusion. Good writing takes time, editing, and much revision. Try to embrace the process, instead of tackling it in one sitting. The difference will be palpable. Read your work aloud as you write and edit. Create surprises, solve problems, answer questions, and stay focused while you write. If you find that you do not have enough material, as yourself, "What specific information am I missing? What questions have I not yet answered?" If you find that you write using too many words, decide on your main message. CUT anything that does not directly relate to your topic. As you finish your first draft, ask yourself these questions: What surprised you in your writing? What did you expect to write? How is your writing similar to or different than your expectations? What do you remember most clearly from your essay? What one thing does the reader need to know? Does the reader learn that piece of information after reading? What is the single most important detail, quote, fact, or idea? What may you fix to make your paper more unified? Are you always on topic?

Stay tuned this week for more helpful hints.