It’s no secret that essays can be a challenge to write. Not only do you have to come up with an exciting topic, but you also have to make sure your essay meets the required word count. If you’re struggling to hit the word count for your essay, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Below are the tricks to assist youin making the most of your word count and creating a well-written essay.
Opt for Shorter, Clear Sentences
If you struggle to meet your word count, one possible solution is to focus on writing shorter but clear sentences. Though it may seem challenging to follow this technique initially, it is a worthwhile skill. Not only will it help you hit your word count goals, but it will also make your writing more concise and easier to read.
Use Acronyms Consistently
If you’re using abbreviations or acronyms in your essay, ensure you use them throughout, as it helpsmake your writing appear concise.
Choose your words carefully and avoid repeating yourself. Every word should add value to your argument. It is common for anyone to include additional information that does not add more value to the topic. Avoid any needlessinformation that does not contribute to your argument.
Develop a Clear Thesis
The average essay word count is between 500-700 words. To maintain this word count, you must develop a clear thesis for your essay. The thesis gives the reader a general overview of your essay and what you intend to communicate in your work.
Outline Your Essay
Once you have developed your thesis, you can start outlining your essay. This outline should include all the main points you want to make in your essay. Following this outline ensures that your essay stays on topic and within the desired word count.
Keep Tracking Your Word Count
As you continue writing your essay, keeping track of your word count is essential. This will help you stay within the assignment’s required word limit. You can apply some of these tricks to keep track of your word count:
- Use a word processing program: Mostprograms have a built-in word counter that can give you an updated total as you type.
- Keep track manually: If you are not using a word processor, you can keep track of your total words by counting each sentence as you write.
- Use an online tool: Many online word counters are also free. Installing these tools on your gadgets enables youquickly get an accurate word count as you continue writing your essay.
Whichever method you choose, tracking your word count as you write will help ensure that you stay within the assigned limit. You can also learn additional techniques of how to track your wordcount from a homework writing help expert.
Stick to the Facts
When you are given an essay assignment, your instructor will usually provide a word count or page limit. Adding extra information or going off on tangents can be tempting, but it is crucial to stick to the facts and stay within the word count. Utilize these techniques to maintain your essay word count:
- Plan and allocate time for each section of your essay.
- Be concise in your writing. Get to the point and use specific examples to illustrate your points.
- Edit your work thoroughly. Prioritize eliminating unnecessary words or sentences that do not add value to your argument.
Replace Phrases with Single Words
When revising your essay, you must watch out for phrases that could be replaced with single words.
These are the examples of phrases you can substitute with single words:
- As a result of: because, so
- In spite of the fact that: although
- Due to the fact that: because
- In addition to: and, also
- In most cases: usually
Proofread Your Essay Several Times
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your essay word count is to proofread your work several times. It’s also a good idea to have someone else proofread your essay to check for any mistakes you may have missed.
Another tip for maintaining your essay word count is to avoid using filler words or phrases. These words or phrases don’t add anything meaningful to your essay but take up valuable space. Some common filler words include “that,” “then,” “just,” and “really.” If you find yourself using these words frequently, see if you can eliminate them from your essay without changing the meaning of your sentences.
Avoid Redundancies
When writing your essay, avoiding redundancies or repeating yourself is crucial. It can make your essay seem shorter and make it difficult for the reader to understand what you are trying to say.
To avoid redundancy in your writing, choose your words carefully and use them only when necessary. If you use the same word or phrase multiple times throughout your essay, try to find a different way to say it. One can accomplish this by using a thesaurus to find synonyms for repeated words.
Remove Repetitions
When editing your essay, one of the first things you can do to help reduce your word count is to remove any repetitions. It includes repeating words, phrases, or ideas. While some repetition can be helpful for emphasis, too much can make your writing sound choppy and distract the reader.
If you find yourself repeating something, see if there is a way to rephrase it or say it differently. In many cases, you will be able to find a more concise way to say what you want to without sacrificing meaning or clarity. Sometimes, all it requires is some extra creativity!
Conclusion
If you find yourself struggling to maintain your essay word count, there are a few tips you can use to help you reach your goal. First, try to be as concise as possible in your writing, ensure every sentence serves a purpose, and if you’re having trouble reaching the word count you need, try adding more examples or expansions on your ideas. Following these tips should help you achieve the word count you need for your essay while maintaining a high-quality level in your writing.
