Major Mistakes in Essay Writing
1. Misunderstanding the topic (wrong question interpretation)
What happens: Candidate writes on a related but different issue, ignores keywords (e.g., “criticise”, “discuss”, “causes”), or treats a narrow topic as broad.
Why it costs marks: Examiner marks for relevance first. If content doesn’t answer the question, even perfect language scores poorly.
How to avoid / Fix
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First 2–3 minutes: Read the question twice. Underline directive words (analyze, evaluate, examine, discuss, compare, criticize, suggest).
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Write a one-line thesis and a 3–5 point outline before beginning.
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Practice: Take 30 past paper questions, practice writing a one-line thesis for each.
2. No planning / poor structure
What happens: Stream-of-consciousness writing, random points, weak paragraphing, no logical flow.
Why it costs marks: Examiners look for coherent structure (intro, body, conclusion). Weak structure reduces clarity and makes arguments hard to follow.
How to avoid / Fix
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Spend 8–12 minutes planning (outline with 3–4 main points + examples).
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Use the PEEL method for paragraphs: Point, Evidence/example, Explain, Link.
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Use signposting phrases: “Firstly”, “In contrast”, “Consequently”, “To conclude”.
3. Weak or absent thesis statement
What happens: Essays start with generic sentences and never state a clear position or roadmap.
Why it costs marks: Thesis guides the essay; without it examiner cannot measure whether the essay answered the question.
How to avoid / Fix
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End introduction with one crisp thesis sentence: e.g., “This essay argues that climate change is primarily the result of human activity and proposes three policy measures to mitigate its effects.”
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Keep thesis specific (not “this essay will discuss”).
4. Over-generalization and vagueness
What happens: Broad claims without evidence (e.g., “Technology is good” or “People believe X”).
Why it costs marks: Examiners reward specificity and accuracy. Vagueness reduces credibility and depth.
How to avoid / Fix
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Use statistics, dates, reports, or precise examples (e.g., “According to the World Bank 2020 report…”).
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If uncertain about a fact, qualify it: “Studies suggest…” or “Experts argue…”.
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Practice turning vague sentences into specific ones.
5. Lack of evidence and examples
What happens: Arguments are assertions without support.
Why it costs marks: Competitive exams test knowledge application — evidence shows research and understanding.
How to avoid / Fix
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Keep a small bank of reliable facts/figures and case studies (UN, World Bank, WHO, major laws/policies, national examples).
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Use 2–3 short examples per major point (a country, a report, a historical event).
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Avoid invented statistics.
6. Poor paragraphing (too long or too short)
What happens: One long paragraph covering many ideas, or many 1–2 line paragraphs.
Why it costs marks: Good paragraphing shows logical organization. Long paragraphs hide structure; short ones show lack of development.
How to avoid / Fix
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One idea per paragraph (topic sentence + 3–4 supporting sentences).
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Aim for 6–10 lines per paragraph in exam handwriting.
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Use transition words between paragraphs.
7. Imbalanced treatment (one-sided essays or unequal weight)
What happens: One argument is developed for many lines while others are barely mentioned.
Why it costs marks: Examiners expect balanced treatment and depth proportionate to question requirement.
How to avoid / Fix
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In outline, assign approximate word/time values to each point.
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For a 1500-word essay, 3 body paragraphs of ~350 words each is adequate.
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If asked “Discuss both views”, allocate equal weight to both.
8. Poor language control — grammar, spelling, punctuation
What happens: Frequent grammar errors, wrong verb tenses, punctuation mistakes, misspellings.
Why it costs marks: Language clarity is part of assessment. Errors disrupt meaning and lower readability.
How to avoid / Fix
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Practice editing: write an essay, then spend 5–7 minutes proofreading.
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Learn common error patterns (subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions).
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Keep sentences moderate in length. Prefer clarity over complexity.
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Build a short error checklist to scan before submission (verbs, articles, tense consistency, punctuation).
9. Overuse of fancy vocabulary and misused words
What happens: Candidates use complex words incorrectly (e.g., “obstreperous” where “obvious” is intended).
Why it costs marks: Misused vocabulary harms credibility. Examiners prefer correct, apt vocabulary over showy language.
How to avoid / Fix
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Use precise, tested vocabulary. Maintain a list of 200–400 high-utility academic words and learn correct collocations.
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When in doubt, choose simple correct words.
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Use synonyms sparingly and accurately.
10. Copying summaries or memorized essays (rote learning)
What happens: Students reproduce prepared essays that do not match the question.
Why it costs marks: Off-topic or partially relevant material loses marks, even if well-written.
How to avoid / Fix
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Memorize structures and phrases, not whole essays.
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Practice adapting a stored outline to a new question through a quick re-plan.
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Prepare modular examples and facts that can be plugged into many topics.
11. Poor time management
What happens: Spending too long on intro or examples and rushing the conclusion; failing to finish.
Why it costs marks: Incomplete essays lose marks for development and conclusion.
How to avoid / Fix
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Use a time plan: e.g., 10 min planning, 60–80 min writing, 10–15 min revision (for a 90–120 min paper).
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Practice timed essays frequently.
12. Ignoring examiner rubric / marking scheme
What happens: Not following required format (e.g., no outline when required), omission of word limits, lack of references if asked.
Why it costs marks: Examiners follow rubrics: relevance, content, organization, style, accuracy.
How to avoid / Fix
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Know the marking criteria and practice essays with those rubrics.
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If rubric asks for “outline” or “recommendations”, include them as separate sections.
13. Excessive repetition and redundancy
What happens: Repeating the same idea in multiple paragraphs, filler sentences.
Why it costs marks: Wastes words and shows poor development skills.
How to avoid / Fix
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Each paragraph must add a new idea or a new angle.
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Use synonyms sparingly; avoid re-stating the same point.
14. Lack of conclusion or weak concluding paragraph
What happens: Abrupt ending or conclusion that merely repeats the introduction.
Why it costs marks: Conclusion is where thesis is reinforced; weak endings feel incomplete.
How to avoid / Fix
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Conclude by summarizing major points and offering a concise “way forward” or recommendation.
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Never introduce new arguments in conclusion.
15. Inappropriate tone (overly emotional or politicized)
What happens: Using inflammatory language, biased statements, or personal attacks.
Why it costs marks: Examiners value academic neutrality; emotional tone reduces objectivity.
How to avoid / Fix
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Use formal, balanced tone.
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When criticizing, use measured phrasing: “This approach has limitations…” rather than “This is terrible.”
16. Over-reliance on quotations
What happens: Heavy use of quotes rather than analysis.
Why it costs marks: Examiners want the candidate’s own analysis. Long quotes show lack of original thought.
How to avoid / Fix
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Use short, relevant quotations (1–2 lines) and always explain their relevance.
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Prioritize analysis over quoting.
17. Poor presentation (handwriting, untidy layout)
What happens: Illegible scripts, overcrowded margins.
Why it costs marks: Presentation affects readability; examiners may penalize unreadable work.
How to avoid / Fix
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Practice neat handwriting. Use margins and paragraph breaks.
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Underline headings lightly; avoid heavy crossings-out.
18. Failing to localize examples (exam-specific)
What happens: Citing only international examples when local context matters (or vice versa).
Why it costs marks: Examiners appreciate mix of local + international examples that show awareness.
How to avoid / Fix
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Prepare a bank of local case studies, laws, and statistics (Pakistan: relevant policies, local data) + international reports.
19. Not addressing counterarguments where relevant
What happens: One-sided essays without acknowledging limitations or opposing views.
Why it costs marks: Critical thinking and objectivity require considering opposing views.
How to avoid / Fix
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Dedicate a paragraph to counter-argument and rebut it logically.
20. Failure to proofread / edit
What happens: Minor errors and awkward sentences left uncorrected.
Why it costs marks: Small mistakes cumulate and lower the overall impression.
How to avoid / Fix
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Reserve final 8–12 minutes for proofreading.
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Read the essay aloud (silently) to spot errors.
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Check for cohesion, grammar, and whether the thesis is fully addressed.