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    Application Essay Writing
  Chapter 1: Essay Writing 101  
  Chapter 2: Tackling the Question  
  Chapter 3: Brainstorming a topic  
  Chapter 4: Structure and Outline  
  Chapter 5: Style and Tone  
       Sentence Variety  
       Word Choices  
       Verb Tense  
       Transitions  
       Essay Cliches  
  Chapter 6: Intro and Conclusion  
  Chapter 7: Editing and Revising  



   
Chapter 5: Sentence Variety
 
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Many students think that the longer the sentence they write, the better the sentence. This is far from the truth. You do not need long, complicated sentences to show that you are a good writer. In fact, short sentences often pack the most punch. The best essays contain a variety of sentence lengths, mixed within any given paragraph.

Try reading your essay out-loud, pausing at every period. Listen to the rhythm of your prose. Are all of the sentences the same length? If each of your sentences twists and turns for an entire paragraph, or you run out of breath at any point, break them up into smaller statements. You may also want to try a more methodical approach:


EXERICISE #3: SENTENCE VARIETY 

Once you have completed your essay, try labeling each sentence “short” (under 10 words), “medium” (under 20 words), or “long” (20 or more words). A nice paragraph might read something like M S M L M S. A dry essay would be S S S M L L L.



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From ESSAYS THAT WILL GET YOU INTO COLLEGE, by Amy Burnham, Daniel Kaufman, and Chris Dowhan.
Copyright 1998 by Dan Kaufman.  Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.



5. Style and Tone

Word Choices