Is it OK to use a quote in a college essay?

The purpose of the college essay is to help the committee get to know you, not to convince someone that you know how to research a topic such as Napoleon’s War Tactics. Since quotations are not your own words, never use them in a critical point or in place of your own analysis.

How do you integrate a quote in a college essay?

When you use a short quote, include it directly in your paragraph, along with your own words. To help the reader understand the quote and why you’re using it, write a full sentence that includes the quote, rather than just lifting a sentence from another work and putting it into your paper.

Is it okay if my college essay is short?

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get to somewhere between 450-500 words.

Is it bad to start your essay with a quote?

Do you wonder “ Can I start an essay with a quote?” Definitely, yes! It’s a rather popular way to begin an essay. You should find the right quote that fits your purpose and use it within the framework of your own words.

Is it cliche to start an essay with a quote?

Beginning your essay with a quote might seem like a good idea at first, but that’s what everyone else thinks so they do it, too. Using a quote to engage your reader isn’t what professors prefer. It’s not a bad thing to eventually include a quote in your introduction, just try to avoid beginning your essay with one.

Why shouldn’t you end a paragraph with a quotation?

Usually you will want to keep the quotation and your analysis together in the same paragraph. Hence it is a good idea to avoid ending a paragraph with a quotation. But if your analysis is lengthy, you may want to break it into several paragraphs, beginning afresh after the quotation.

How many quotations should be included in an essay?

A good rule of thumb is to include ABSOLUTELY no more than 10\% direct quotations in any essay. If your paper is 400 words, and your quote is more than 40 words, don’t do it. How can I improve my English writing skills?

How important are quotations in a college essay?

In analytical compositions (such as your senior term paper on Napoleon), quotations were a valuable component because you were supposed to support your topic by research. However, in the limited space of the college essay, you don’t want quotations to distract from your voice.

How to make your college essay more clear and interesting?

Avoiding filler words and run-on expressions will make your college essay more clear and interesting to the reader. If something needs to be added to your list of examples, add specific examples. Don’t add expressions such as etc. and and so on. These are vague and add nothing of substance to your essay.

How many essays do you really need for college?

Some say they are a “glimpse into your soul.” Most colleges require at least one essay as a part of their applications; some require two, three or even more.