The 3 Biggest Essay Mistakes Students Make—and How to Avoid Them

Ever poured hours into a paper only to get an average grade?
It might not be about how much you wrote, but what and how. Let’s fix that.

1. Writing Without a Clear Argument
   A lot of students summarize facts but never clearly state their stance. Every strong paper needs a thesis—the one sentence that tells your reader exactly what you’re arguing.
   ✅ Fix: Write your thesis first. Then make sure every paragraph supports it.
2. Using Sources Incorrectly
   Either students under-cite or overquote. Professors want to see your voice—not a copy-paste of other people’s ideas.
   ✅ Fix: Learn how to paraphrase and integrate sources smoothly. I’ve got a quick guide for that—just ask.
3. Weak Intros and Conclusions
   If you start with “In this essay, I will…” or end with “In conclusion…”—your reader zones out.
   ✅ Fix: Start with a hook (question, stat, or bold claim) and end by showing the bigger picture or implication of your argument.

If essays feel like a guessing game, you’re not alone.
I help students sharpen their writing and take the stress out of assignments. Need help? Reach out and let’s chat.