<p>They make writing more interesting... however, truncating for clarity isn't always so easy on the heart.</p>
<p>But this is not all rant.</p>
<p>Do you think my essays are too long?:</p>
<p>Common-app: 885 words
Princeton supplement: 649 words (they ask for "about 500")</p>
<p>This being said, I don't think I could make these essays more concise or shorten them without removing at least some of what I have to say.</p>
<p>Any advice is much appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank you! :)</p>
<p>I'd try to shorten them, especially the one that is 885.</p>
<p>The essay is not just about "what I have to say", important as that is. It is also about expressing yourself with conciseness and power. In general, the essay at 500 words that gets across an idea is more powerful, demonstrates clearer thinking, than the essay at 900 words that gets across a similar idea. Also, the essay that sticks to one idea in 500 words is more focused than the essay that tries to cover several ideas at 900 words.</p>
<p>
[quote]
This being said, I don't think I could make these essays more concise or shorten them without removing at least some of what I have to say.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>For example: this passage could still be shortened.</p>
<p>
[quote]
That being said
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Redundant.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I don't think I could
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The reader knows that the essay is an expression of your thinking, so "I don't think" is tentative and unnecessary.</p>
<p>
[quote]
more concise or shorten them
[/quote]
</p>
<p>One or the other is fine.</p>
<p>
[quote]
without removing some of what I have to say
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is obviously true, in fact it's true by definition, but could be made much shorter and more accurate, e.g.</p>
<p>
[quote]
without loss of significant meaning
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So the passage could read</p>
<p>
[quote]
I couldn't shorten these essays without significant loss of meaning.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>and you have gone from 27 words to 10 words. Personally, I prefer the 10-word version. If you prefer the 27-word version, though, ask yourself: is that version so much better as to justify 170% more words? I don't think that it is.</p>
<p>
[quote]
truncating for clarity isn't always so easy on the heart
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Writing is about both head and heart. Don't fall in love with your own writing. Every really long essay that I've read could be significantly shortened and, imho, significantly improved.</p>
<p>Erm. I did not ask anyone to go through my post and shorten <em>that</em>.
I was purposely verbose.
So <em>your</em> post could have been twice as effective and half as unnerving if you had simply written:</p>
<p>"I'd try to shorten them, especially the one that is 885. Every really long essay that I've read could be significantly shortened and, imho, significantly improved."</p>
<p>Nevertheless, thank-you for your answer.</p>
<p>same here, my limit was 500 so I went to 590, I couldn't express as much as I wanted to, even though other people feel they can in such a small amount.</p>
<p>I think the idea he was trying to get across was that you may be using more words than are needed to convey your ideas.</p>
<p>I think I'm smart enough to understand that without a long-winding dissection of my post. :)</p>