How can I improve an essay or make it more readable?

Question

You may be wondering how to organize an essay better. You may be wondering to make it easier to understand and grade. You may already have a great essay, but simply want to make it outstanding. No matter what, these strategies will help.

Answer 1

Improving the readability of an essay requires proficiency in spelling, grammar, and syntax. A misspelling, grammatical error, clumsy word choice, or awkward sentence structure can take away your credibility as a writer, and your reader will be less likely to pay attention to what you say. In our writing, we want to be clear and intentional with what we say and how we say it. First, I would suggest going through your essay and scanning it for spelling and grammatical errors. Then, I would go through and make sure you are using a diverse set of verbs and adjectives to avoid being repetitive, and I would make sure that you know exactly how the words you choose will affect your reader!! If you mean to be critical, choose a word that has a critical connotation, or if you mean to be emphatic, choose an emphatic word. Finally, I would make sure that you have a variety of sentences, showing preference for active voice over passive voice, eliminate any run-ons, and READ YOUR DRAFT ALOUD TO YOURSELF. With all of these tips, I'm sure you will be more satisfied with your writing.

Answer 2

Normally, details in a writing assignment are what will make or break your grade. Make sure to indent and separate each paragraph, each of which should have a different point and purpose. Check spelling and grammar. Look at word choice: does that word really mean what you meant? Is there another word that would fit better? Is the word you chose accurate, but would a certain synonym show off your vocabulary skills better? Check your paper for redundancies or holes in your explanation as well. My favorite way to find these mistakes is to read my papers aloud, in a monotone voice. This forces you to focus on each individual word as you read it and highlights places for improvement.