5 Writing Mistakes to Stop Making in College

Posted On September 25, 2024

Written by Dr. John Tweeddale, vice president of academics and professor of theology

Writing takes work. Whether you are in a liberal arts college, a state university, or a trade school, writing is a crucial skill that takes time and effort to develop. Amid the flurry of assignments and deadlines, students and professors alike can slip into writing pitfalls.

Here are five common mistakes to avoid:

1. Ignoring Structure. Many students overlook the importance of structure for effective academic writing. Think of an outline as the blueprint for your paper. A well-organized essay should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion—with each part supporting the overall argument. Without structure, your writing will lack shape and focus. As you begin your assignment, outline your paper to ensure a logical flow from beginning to end.

2. Failing to Make an Argument. The thesis statement is the heart of any academic paper. It’s what animates your writing. A quality thesis statement should not merely state a fact but advance a compelling argument from start to finish. A poor statement simply regurgitates easily accessed information. For instance:
   Abraham Kuyper’s Lectures on Calvinism discuss the importance of Calvinism for modern society.
   While this isn’t the worst thesis statement, the claim is vague and lacks force. A better statement might go like this:
   Abraham Kuyper’s Lectures on Calvinism attempt to show that the system of thought he defines as Calvinism provides a comprehensive view of religion, politics, science, and art, making it an all-embracing framework for Christians in modern society.
   This thesis statement presents a clear argument that can be defined, developed, and defended in a paper.

3. Disregarding Proofreading. This is a simple mistake that is easy to fix. Don’t forget to proofread your paper for misspelled words, correct formatting, factual errors, grammatical goofs, and typographical slipups. With software programs designed to check your spelling and grammar, there is no excuse for submitting a paper rife with these mistakes. I recommend finishing your writing before the deadline. Allow your assignment to rest for a night or two or even a week before submitting it. Then, come back to your writing with a fresh set of eyes. I try to do at least one round of editing with a hard copy to catch errors that screen-based reading might miss. Ideally, you should have someone else—like a friend, spouse, or teaching assistant—read your work for feedback and suggestions.

4. Overusing the Passive Voice. Pay attention to how often you use the passive voice. Try to use the active voice as much as possible for concise, dynamic writing. This will lead to more engaging prose. In contrast, unclear and wordy sentences are often generated as a result of an excessive amount of reliance being placed on the passive voice.
   Rather than writing this:
   The argument for justification by faith alone was made by Martin Luther in the Protestant Reformation.
   Instead, write this:
   Martin Luther argued for justification by faith alone in the Protestant Reformation.

5. Neglecting Sources. Learning to evaluate and use appropriate sources is essential for academic writing. Read the best scholarship on your topic. Be charitable. The golden rule applies not only to the rules of life but also to the rigors of scholarship. When analyzing someone’s argument, avoid ad hominem attacks, oversimplified deductions, hasty generalizations, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it predictions of apocalyptic proportions, and other rhetorical cheap shots. Your paper should reflect thoughtful analysis and evaluation. Remember to cite your sources to avoid plagiarism. Failing to do so undermines the integrity of your work.

Watch out for these five common mistakes while writing in college. But remember, the most effective way to become a better writer is through consistency and practice, so keep writing.