<p>My son has completed a few of his essays and a friend who is a strong writer agreed to review them. Her question was what should I be looking for when I review them? I really am not sure what to tell her. Do you have an answer?</p>
<p>She should look at them from a literary and a personal standpoint, I think. I’ve been doing this for a friend and will probably do it for more, and they will for me. It should be technically and structurally sound, and be quality writing, but she should also make sure it reflects your son as a person. When I was reading an essay by a friend of mine I found that certain things she said in the essay made sense to me, as a friend, but I realized that they could sound completely different to an admissions officer, who’s never met her.</p>
<ol>
<li>The introduction must catch her attention</li>
<li>The essay must relate to the writer</li>
<li>Conclusion relates to the introduction.</li>
<li>Don’t use cliche essays, “From this, I learned…” I bet the trashcans in the admission officer’s room are filled with essays like that.</li>
</ol>
<p>To summarize:
Essays should be reviewed to:
1-Determine that it is well written, and technically and structurally sound.
2-The writing should reflect the writers voice and fits the individual without the reader actually knowing the writer.
3-Assess if the introduction is an attention catcher.
4-Assess that the conclusion relates back to the introduction.
5-Assess that the essay is not cliche.</p>
<p>Did I get it all? Could you add anything to this list?</p>
<p>anhtimmy: You specifically say the essay should not conclude with “From this I learned” Do you mean it should not use that specific phrase or that it should not bear that sentiment. One of my son’s essays basically makes that statement but expresses it in a more creative way. Are you suggesting that it would be a good idea to re-evaluate the conclusion or just that those specific words should not be used?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>