b'37ACTIVITy:reVIseandPrOOFreadYOuressaYThis activity helps you revise your essay to prepare it for submission. When you have finalized the content and organization, use the proofreading tips to polish your writing. Poor grammar and poor spelling are the easiest ways to send the wrong message to college admissions ocers.Content Style And organization aPPLYIngtOCOLLegeHave I fully answered the essay prompt? Is my tone appropriate?Yes No Yes NoSome prompts are multifaceted. Be sure your essay It should be positive and professional.addresses the prompt in full. If you need to more fullymeet the essays specific requirements, write down Did I write from a personal perspective?what you need to add.Yes No____________________________________________ Since a college application essay is a personal ____________________________________________ statement, use the first-person point of view Is my writing original? (i.e., I, me, my).Yes No Is my language appropriate?Plagiarism is submitting someone elses work or ideas Yes Noas your own. It is a serious oense and can jeopardize Remember your audience and avoid slang and your college admission. casual language. Do not show o with fancy words.Does my essay express my individuality? Use clear, specific language. Choose strong, descriptiveYes No words over vague words, such as things, many, Your essay should reflect your individual traits andand great.experiences. Which paragraphs communicate your Is my organization eective with an engaging distinct qualities? Which need more work? introduction, a relevant middle, and a strong finish?____________________________________________ Are my transitions well-defined?____________________________________________ Yes No____________________________________________ An appealing essay often begins with an anecdote orHave I written for my audience? statement that makes the main point. It can continueYes No in order of importance or chronology.Will your essay capture an admissions ocers attention? Is the topic appropriate for your audience? Is my essay the right length?Which details are most interesting? Could youYes Noimprove any content to make it more engaging? Good writing makes your point in as few words ____________________________________________ as possible. Check your word count against the ____________________________________________ applications instructions, (e.g., the Common App ____________________________________________ gives you a 650 word limit for your essay).Proofreading Tips Read through a printed copy of your essay to better catch typos and grammatical or formatting errors. Do not rely on Spellcheck. It may not catch words that are spelled correctly but misused in your essay. Read your essay out loud. You will catch mistakes and awkward phrases. Take breaks between each round of writing and revising. Ask a member of your College Prep Team to proofread your essay. Others will often catch errors you miss evenafter several readings.'