<p>If you have an English 101 instructor advising you not to use contractions, she shouldn’t be teaching English 101. Like all grammar in the English language, it’s how you use it that’s important. Exclusion of any tool is a disservice to creative and academic writing. Obviously you would not have the same amount of contractions in a academic essay, as you would a creative essay, but to suggest a student should eliminate them from your toolbox? Ridiculous. </p>
<p>There is a reason it’s called a “personal” essay. They want to hear your voice, not a robot’s voice. The most effective essays I’ve read had a balanced, effective use of contractions. The worst essays were written in an academic tone that told me little about who the person was, and incidentally, there were no contractions in those essays.</p>
<p>Bomerr is 100% incorrect in his assessment.</p>