<p>what's the general consensus on the use of contractions like "didn't" and "I'm"? im right at the 650 word limit at the moment with the use of contractions.</p>
<p>some people say its better to write like you talk but others say its a formal essay and should be treated as such.</p>
<p>Think about all the classic novels you know . . . books such as The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, Catch 22, Grapes of Wrath, etc. Did the authors of those novels use contractions? Of course they did – and so should you. If you feel ‘didn’t’ works better than ‘did not’ – use it. Ditto with ‘I’m’ and ‘I am’. A college essay is NOT, NOT, NOT formal writing. If you don’t believe me, please watch this video from one of Yale’s Senior Admissions Drirectors: [Advice</a> on Putting Together Your Application | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“Advice on Putting Together Your Application | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions”>Advice on Putting Together Your Application | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>