Show, Don't Tell
Instead of writing "She was nervous," write "She twisted the hem of her sleeve until the threads frayed." One tells the reader an emotion. The other makes the reader feel it.
Start in the Middle of the Action
Drop your reader directly into a moment of tension or interest. Examiners read hundreds of essays. Give yours a compelling opening line.
Structure Creates Impact
Short sentences create pace. Longer sentences slow the reader down. Use both deliberately.
Writing Prompts to Try
- A door that has been locked for 20 years finally opens.
- Two strangers share an umbrella in a sudden downpour.
- Describe a familiar room as if seeing it for the very first time.