<p>Well, the title says it all actually. I wrote an essay in a playful tone, using quite a few lame and obscure references to Hogwarts and stuff like that and using a lot of asides with brackets. My friend tells me that I should remove them, because I will sound very immature. But I do sound playful in real life, and I do make random lame puns. So I was wondering, should I remove them? If I do I think the essays will feel rather plain.</p>
<p>As long as the essay does not seem forced, quirky references should be ok. They should be well-written and cohesive, but they do not need to be a PhD thesis in terms of seriousness. </p>
<p>If the essays represent YOU as who you are, then you should submit them as-is. There is a difference between being casual and immature.</p>