So, here it is – a blank page. It’s always intimidating – but even more so when you have more pages to write than usual to meet your instructor’s requirements. Right now, the mission may even seem impossible, especially if you’re not very fond of writing. So, what do you do?
Wrong answer: break down and cry, envisioning the worst, like you don’t manage to complete the task and have nothing to turn in on your due date. Right answer: keep reading and learn how to solve the problem.
Right away, here’s a quick tip for the most anxious: choose one of the native paper writers on Essay Hub essay service and delegate the assignment to them early on. It doesn’t necessarily mean you will use it – but it’s a perfect safety blanket to make you less stressed.
Feeling better? Now, let’s move on to the more elaborate strategies of writing a long essay without fillers and waffling. But wait…
What Are Fillers and Waffling?
- Fillers are anything irrelevant that contributes nothing to the overall meaning and distract the readers from what you’re trying to say.
- Waffling is repeating the same ideas over and over again or using too many words to get to the point.
If these two are your problem, professional writers from EssayService can help you out. You can order a sample paper and compare it to what you usually write. However, chances are you’ll do well enough on your own if you continue reading and try out the tips listed below.
7 Proven Tips to Make an Essay Longer (the Right Way)
So, what can you do to make an essay longer the right way? Here are a few suggestions.
Start Early
This is a universal tip for any task. But for essay writing, it works 100% – the earlier you start, the better your paper is. Especially if it has to be long. So, plan a course of action.
Here are the steps to include:
- Read the assignment and make sure you understand it.
- Write down the questions you need to ask your instructor.
- Break down your work in phases;
- Map out a timeline with in-between deadlines for each phase.
Do Your Research
Every writing process starts with research. Your instructor has probably provided you with a reading list or even two. So, what are you waiting for?
Start with the compulsory list, then proceed with the optional one, and then look for information on the internet. To make your research more productive, remember to make notes and write down any quotations that seem relevant.
Adjust the Topic
If you’ve done your research but still don’t have enough ideas, you might need to adjust the topic. Maybe, yours is too narrow, so there’s simply not enough information on it to flesh out a long essay.
Before you make any adjustments, discuss them with your instructor. Perhaps, changing the topic is not allowed, in which case you’ll need to extend your research. Besides, there’s always a chance the instructor will help you with the ideas.
Create an Outline
An outline is always helpful, but for longer papers, it’s a must. It can help you get rid of waffling, too, because waffling is often the result of not having a structure to lean on.
You can start with an outline for a standard five-paragraph essay, but bear in mind that a long paper can have a different structure. In any case, the three main sections – introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion – should be there.
Write As Much As You Can
When you’re writing the first draft, every thought and every idea counts. You’ll sift them through later on, but at the beginning, feel free to pour out everything that comes to your mind in connection with the topic.
However, try to adhere to the outline, or you’ll have a hell of a time editing pages of unstructured text. Just don’t care about any connections and linking words – your job during the first sessions is to add as much flesh as you can.
Add Support
So, you’ve put down all your thoughts and ideas, included evidence – and discovered you still fall short of the required length? Now is the time to add more support to your brilliant thoughts and ideas.
Depending on the essay type, you can use the following:
- personal examples and anecdotes;
- statistics and facts;
- relevant quotations;
- counterarguments;
- explanations;
- descriptions;
- insights, and more.
Surely, you cannot include all this in one essay, so just choose one or a few that are the most appropriate.
Improve Your Style
What if you’ve done everything listed above but still cannot meet the required word count? Chances are, your writing style needs improvement.
Students are always told that academic papers should be concise, but that doesn’t mean you should write like a primary school kid. To make your essay both longer and easier to read, try to do the following:
- add transitions and linking words;
- expand explanations and descriptions;
- add more adjectives.
But be careful! In this case, moderation is key.
Final Thoughts
Writing a long essay is often intimidating, especially for those students who don’t know how to approach it. Yet, once you break the task into phases and learn to apply our tips, it won’t be that daunting anymore. So, get down to work and say goodbye to fillers and waffling: you know how to beat them now!