<p>I am not sure if this is the right forum or not but would really appreciate some help with my essays from you parents. I have to submit my application really soon but there isn't anyone who I can really ask to look over my essays (my parents are immigrants who don't speak English well). Therefore, I was really hoping that some of you experienced parents would be willing to take a look at some of my writing and help me cut the word counts.</p>
<p>Post here if you are willing, and I'll PM it to you.</p>
<p>Best way to cut words is: view your first draft as your chance to get it all out there – everything you want to say. Then set it aside. Wait a few days. Then ask yourself, if I had to describe my essay to a friend, or better, to someone who doesn’t know me, and if I had to sum it up, what would I say? Don’t refer back to your essay – what you will naturally remember are the salient points will come to the top and you’ll forget the extraneous stuff. Your memory will “auto-edit” what’s important.</p>
<p>Once you know what the main idea is, you can prune things that may be interesting but don’t really add to the main point. The setting it aside time is crucial – it gives you distance which helps clarify things.</p>
<p>But pm it to me – I’ll take a look</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the advice! I PMed you.</p>
<p>I could look over it tonight if you want another opinion as well :)</p>