1. Don't stress.
2. This essay is not an academic paper; there is no
research involved, and you do not have to write a traditional five-paragraph
essay!
3. Write from your heart. Let us get to know you
(anonymously).
4. Grab our attention with your introduction.
5. Tell us stories; how did you get involved with your
hobby?
6. Show us your passion for your horses, alpacas,
sheep, goats, chickens, or whatever animal has captured your heart by
describing how you interact with them.
7. Why do you want to live on a farm in a rural area?
How will living here bolster your hobby and improve your life?
8. Spend time organizing your essay. This is the most
important step! Taking the time now to organize your writing will save you
hours of revising time and spare you hours of anxiety.
9. When you begin writing, think of the computer
screen or the blank piece of paper as your best friend. What would you tell
your best friend? Write it!
10. Arrange your ideas so your words flow from one
sentence to the next. Each sentence should connect and not sound choppy. The
ending sentence of one paragraph should flow into and connect with the first
sentence of the next paragraph.
11. Print your paper and read your writing out loud! You will be amazed at how hearing your
words will improve your writing, especially if you are not reading from the
computer screen!
12. Give yourself plenty of time to plan, organize,
and write your first draft. Begin now!
13. Improve your writing by allowing your words to
settle and your mind to rest. After your break, whether a day, a week, or even
one hour, reread your work - out loud -
from a hard copy! Does your writing make sense and sound fluid? If yes,
begin the editing process. If not, revise your writing until you're satisfied.
14. Edit your paper one step at a time. Is the first
letter of each sentence capitalized? (Check the entire paper for just
capitalization mistakes.) Are proper nouns capitalized? Does each sentence have
the proper punctuation? (Go through again to check for punctuation mistakes.)
It might sound tedious, but focusing on one area at a time means you will be
less likely to miss a mistake!
15. Have you written complete sentences, not
fragments?
16. Check subject-verb agreement (They have, he has,
etc.)
17. Did you write "your" when you intended
to write "you're" for you are?
18. Are verb tenses correct?
19. Use a dictionary to make sure your words are
spelled correctly; use a thesaurus to select the precise word!
20. Submit your paper BEFORE the deadline to ensure we
receive it BEFORE the cut-off date!
I hope you have found these suggestions helpful! If
you have questions, please post them here for all to see!
Good
luck!
Here are a
few Internet sites that you might find helpful:
